Delegates from both sides attend the meeting. Photo: Le Hai

At the meeting, Thang said relations between the two countries have built a solid foundation after nearly 50 years of diplomatic ties, even comparing the current stage to being “close to a golden wedding anniversary.”

However, he also noted that current cooperation does not fully reflect the potential of the two countries, despite cultural similarities and shared characteristics that have yet to be fully understood by both sides.

On that basis, Thang suggested that both sides focus on implementing concrete and practical cooperation activities to effectively tap into the still significant potential for collaboration.

Vu Dai Thang, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, speaks with the Philippine Ambassador. Photo: Le Hai

Hanoi hopes to increase delegation exchanges and promote cooperation in areas such as trade, tourism, and culture, while also coordinating closely with the Vietnamese Ambassador in Manila to develop direct cooperation programs between the two capitals.

Emphasizing the role of major urban centers, Thang said both Hanoi and Manila are economic and cultural engines of their respective countries and have many conditions to promote deeper cooperation. He said the two capitals could do much more because the potential for cooperation remains very large.

Overview of the meeting. Photo: Pham Linh

Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III expressed agreement with Hanoi’s proposals and emphasized the importance of people-to-people diplomacy in strengthening bilateral relations. He said people-to-people diplomacy is an important pillar that helps both sides better understand each other and creates a sustainable foundation for long-term cooperation.

The number of Philippine citizens currently living in Vietnam is fewer than 1,000, mostly working in English teaching, indicating that there is still significant room for cooperation in labor and investment.

The ambassador also said the Philippines is working to maintain economic growth and is ready to learn from Vietnam’s experience. As both Hanoi and Manila face challenges in urban development, increasing exchanges of experience and finding common solutions is considered necessary.

Reaffirming the commitment to promoting relations between the two countries, Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III said he would continue to coordinate closely with Hanoi authorities and maintain connections with the Vietnamese Ambassador to the Philippines to implement concrete cooperation activities in the coming period.

Hanoi Mayor Vu Dai Thang presents a souvenir from Hanoi to Philippine Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III. Photo: Pham Linh

At the end of the meeting, both sides agreed to continue regular exchanges and promote practical cooperation programs between Hanoi and Manila, contributing to deepening Vietnam–Philippines relations and promoting stable and sustainable development in the region.

On this occasion, Thang and Ambassador Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III exchanged souvenirs and took a group photo.