President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. emphasized that the Philippines is committed to improving people-to-people ties with Vietnam, particularly links that will bolster both nations' rich cultural heritage and tourism industries.
Along with highlighting the necessity of expanded aviation services between the two nations, Marcos also underscored to Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Ching that the implementation schedule of the agreement on Cooperation on Tourism for 2024 to 2028 is almost finalized.
According to the Malacañang, there are now about 7,000 OFWs living in Vietnam, and their remittances totaled $13,683,000 in 2022.
Vietnam Air and Cebu Pacific to Vietnam
The goal of the program is to increase air travel between Vietnam and the Philippines, which will improve interpersonal and economic ties.
In line with this objective, Cebu Pacific began flights between Manila and Da Nang, Vietnam, late last year, providing passengers with a quicker and more economical option to see the biggest city in central Vietnam.
Meanwhile, Vietnam Airlines declared that, as of June 17, it will begin offering direct flights from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to NAIA in Manila.
As the flag carrier of Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines's flights to Manila will make it the first airline based in Vietnam to do so. Bookings for tickets are now being accepted.
Rebounding from the pandemic
A total of 38,605 Vietnamese visitors arrived in the Philippines in 2022. This is significantly more than the 1,785 arrivals in 2021, but it is still less than the 66,798 arrivals in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
As part of the two nations' attempts to foster stronger links between their peoples, Marcos also reiterated the Philippines' commitment to working with Vietnam to protect both Filipinos and Vietnamese, especially addressing human trafficking in the area.
Additionally, Vietnam agreed to provide the Philippines with 1.5 million to 2 million metric tons (1.6 to 2.2 million US tons) of rice annually at reasonable prices as part of an agreement the two nations signed.
