 President Benigno Simeon Aquino III listens to the message of His Excellency Truong Tan Sang President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam during the State Dinner at the Rizal Ceremonial Hall, Malacaņan Palace for the State Visit to the Republic of the Philippines of His Excellency Truong Tan Sang President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Wednesday October 26, 2011. Both governments consider the visit as a high point in marking 35 years of growing bilateral relations between the Philippines and Vietnam. It is also the first meeting between President Aquino and President Sang, who was elected by the Vietnamese National Assembly only in July this year.President Sang is the first head of state to visit the country under President Aquino's administration. Diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Philippines date back since July 12, 1976 and from then on, the two countries have established good relations in the areas of politics, economics, trade investments, security and defense, and agriculture among others. (Photo by: Benhur Arcayan / Malacaņang Photo Bureau) |