The Philippines and Vietnam upgraded ties to an enhanced strategic partnership during Vietnamese Communist Party General Secretary and President To Lam's May 31-June 1 state visit to Manila, Reuters reported on June 1. The two sides signed agreements on defense cooperation, information technology and digital transformation, tourism and public administration.

The upgrade comes as both countries face growing pressure from China in the South China Sea and are trying to strengthen regional coordination around freedom of navigation, legal dispute resolution and coast guard cooperation. It also comes as the Philippines chairs ASEAN in 2026, giving Manila an opportunity to leverage closer ties with Hanoi to reinforce ASEAN maritime diplomacy and advance the long-stalled South China Sea Code of Conduct process.