President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the first day of his official visit to Laos for the ASEAN Summit to elevate ties between the Philippines and Vietnam.

During the bilateral meeting Tuesday night, the two leaders discussed deepening economic cooperation, particularly trade and agriculture, the Presidential Communications Office (PCO) said in a social media post.

The two leaders also “expressed their shared commitment to celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Philippines-Vietnam Strategic Partnership in 2025 by advancing collaboration in key sectors.”

“President Marcos also extended his heartfelt condolences for the losses caused by Typhoon Yagi and the passing of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong,” the PCO said.

Marcos is in Laos’ capital city of Vientiane for the four-day 44th and 45th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits and Related Summits. (PNA)