The Philippines and Vietnam have launched a new tourism partnership aimed at boosting visitor arrivals, expanding air links, and capitalizing on the growing travel demand between two of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing economies.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vietnamese leader To Lam witnessed the presentation of the Tourism Cooperation Program for 2026–2029 at Malacañang on Monday, marking another step in the deepening ties between Manila and Hanoi.
The agreement establishes a three-year framework for closer collaboration in tourism promotion, travel facilitation, tourism management, research, and workforce development. It comes as both countries seek to capture a larger share of the region’s rapidly recovering travel market.
A centerpiece of the pact is a joint marketing strategy that will promote the Philippines and Vietnam as complementary destinations, encouraging travelers to visit both countries on a single trip. The initiative will also include familiarization tours for media, travel agents, and tour operators to raise awareness of tourism offerings on both sides.
The agreement reflects a broader trend among ASEAN countries to cooperate rather than compete in attracting international travelers, particularly as regional tourism rebounds and visitors increasingly seek multi-country experiences.
The two governments also committed to exchanging best practices in sustainable and regenerative tourism, as well as destination and product development.
During a joint press conference, Marcos pointed to the growing people-to-people links between the two nations, noting that nearly half a million Filipinos visited Vietnam in 2025, while Vietnamese arrivals to the Philippines continued to increase.
To sustain the momentum, both countries agreed to strengthen aviation connectivity and explore additional flight frequencies. Currently, Vietnam Airlines operates direct services connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to Manila, as well as Hanoi to Cebu.
Vietnam was the Philippines’ 23rd-largest source of visitors in 2025, contributing 33,599 arrivals. Officials hope the new agreement will help unlock stronger tourism growth and broader economic exchanges through 2029.
