Hanoi, May 29 -- Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong made the above remarks during a recent interview ahead of the visit.

According to Nguyen, Viet Nam and the Philippines are Southeast Asian nations that share a long-standing friendship and common strategic interests in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

He underlined the extreme significance of the upcoming visit as it is the first of this kind to the Philippines by a CPV General Secretary, taking place as the two countries are preparing to celebrate the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and as the Philippines holds the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2026. The visit reflects Viet Nam's high regard for its friendship and cooperation with t...