MANILA, Philippines — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with newly appointed Vietnamese Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit, where they discussed stronger economic cooperation, securing rice supply, and boosting joint efforts against transnational crime.

Marcos first congratulated Hưng on his appointment and welcomed him to his first ASEAN Summit, highlighting the importance of the milestone year marking 50 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam.

Both leaders underscored the significance of the anniversary, expressing confidence that it would pave the way for deeper cooperation, particularly in trade and economic engagement.

Agriculture and food security were among the key topics during the talks.

Manila and Hanoi agreed to establish a long-term rice trade mechanism aimed at ensuring stable supply and reinforcing food security cooperation between the two countries.

The move comes as Southeast Asian nations face growing concerns over food supply and rising prices amid global uncertainties.

Vietnam is one of the Philippines’ major sources of rice imports.

Marcos and Hưng also tackled expanding cooperation in addressing transnational crimes, including scam hubs and human trafficking, as well as enhancing tourism ties between the two countries.

The meeting took place alongside a series of bilateral engagements during the ASEAN Summit.