Marcos off to Vietnam for state visit from Jan 29 to 30

FILE PHOTO: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is set to leave for Vietnam for a two-day state visit from January 29-30, 2024, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday, January 26. In this photo, the President First Lady Liza Araneta Marcos wave as they were to leave Japan on December 18, 2023, after the Chief Executive joined the 50th Asean-Japan Friendship Summit. MALACAÑANG PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. will visit Vietnam from January 29-30, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Friday.

DFA Spokesperson Maria Teresita Daza said the President’s state visit to the Southeast Asian country was upon the invitation of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong.

“It will be the first visit of the President to Vietnam since he assumed office in 2022 and it will also be the first outbound state visit for the year,” Daza said during a press briefing in Malacañang.

First Lady Liza Marcos, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, and members of the Philippine economic team will join the President on this trip, the DFA noted.

It likewise said President Marcos is expected to sign a five-year rice trade agreement with Vietnam during the visit.

“The President is also expected to meet with business sectors to promote trade and investment relations between the Philippines and Vietnam. And as expected, the President will also meet with the Filipino community where he will highlight our friendly relations with Vietnam,” Daza continued.

According to Daza, 7,000 Filipinos are currently working and living in Vietnam.