Philippines and Vietnam, Manila and Hanoi are entering a new phase of tourism cooperation as the two Southeast Asian countries mark 50 years of diplomatic relations in 2026. A Tourism Cooperation Program covering 2026 to 2029 is set to strengthen visitor exchanges, improve air connectivity and increase commercial flight frequencies between the two destinations. Philippine News Agency
The tourism agreement was signed during Vietnamese President Tô Lâm’s state visit to the Philippines from 31 May to 1 June 2026. The visit coincided with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the elevation of bilateral ties to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership, with tourism included among the areas identified for deeper cooperation. CHED
More direct flights could reshape travel between the two countries
Air connectivity is one of the clearest tourism priorities under the new programme. The two governments have agreed to work towards increasing flight frequencies and facilitating more tourism exchanges, building on the strong travel activity recorded between the countries. Philippine News Agency
Nearly half a million Filipino travellers visited Vietnam in 2025, according to Philippine officials and Vietnamese diplomatic representatives. The figure places Vietnam among the increasingly popular international destinations for Filipino travellers and provides a substantial base for further tourism growth. Philippine News Agency
For travellers, stronger air links can make multi-city trips across Southeast Asia easier to plan. Manila and Cebu can serve as departure points for journeys to Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and other Vietnamese destinations, while Vietnamese visitors can use Philippine gateways to reach Manila, Cebu, Boracay and other leisure centres.
Manila offers a gateway to Philippine travel
Manila remains the country’s principal urban gateway and provides an entry point to a range of cultural and tourism experiences. Travellers can combine historic districts such as Intramuros with museums, shopping centres, restaurants and modern entertainment areas before continuing towards other Philippine islands.
The country’s wider tourism network includes destinations such as Cebu, Boracay and Palawan. Cebu combines beaches, diving and heritage attractions, while Boracay is known for its white-sand coastline and water-based activities. Palawan adds island-hopping, marine tourism and nature experiences.
Improved connections with Vietnam could make it easier for travellers to combine the Philippines with a Vietnamese holiday rather than visiting either country separately.
Vietnam offers city, coastal and cultural itineraries
Vietnam provides a similarly varied tourism offer. Hanoi gives visitors access to historic architecture, museums, traditional neighbourhoods and Vietnamese cuisine, while Ho Chi Minh City combines urban attractions, markets, food experiences and cultural sites.
Da Nang provides a coastal option, with beaches and access to central Vietnamese heritage destinations. Travellers can also extend their journeys towards Hoi An, Hue and Ha Long Bay, creating multi-stop itineraries that combine cities, culture, nature and coastal experiences.
For Filipino visitors, the range of travel options allows short city breaks as well as longer holidays. Vietnamese travellers heading to the Philippines can similarly choose between metropolitan tourism, island resorts and marine activities.
Tourism cooperation covers 2026 to 2029
The Tourism Cooperation Program establishes a formal framework for tourism collaboration between the Philippines and Vietnam through 2029. The agreement is part of a wider set of cooperation documents signed during the June 2026 state visit. CHED
The broader Enhanced Strategic Partnership also identifies cultural and people-to-people exchanges as areas for continued cooperation. The countries have previously developed programmes involving education, culture and other forms of cross-border exchange, creating additional channels through which tourism connections can grow. CHED
Cultural cooperation is particularly relevant for tourism because both countries have extensive heritage, food traditions, festivals and contemporary cultural industries that can be incorporated into visitor programmes.
Food and culture add depth to regional travel
Food tourism provides another connection between the two markets. Filipino travellers visiting Vietnam can explore Hanoi’s street-food culture, Ho Chi Minh City’s markets and restaurants, and regional dishes across the country. Vietnamese visitors to the Philippines can experience Filipino cuisine across Manila, Cebu and other destinations.
Cultural attractions can also be incorporated into city itineraries. Manila’s Intramuros and Vietnam’s historic quarters offer different examples of Southeast Asian heritage, while museums, traditional markets and cultural performances provide additional visitor activities.
Regional tourism can benefit from stronger connectivity
The new tourism programme arrives as Southeast Asian travel becomes increasingly interconnected. Better flight schedules can support both leisure travel and business-linked tourism, while allowing travellers to combine destinations during a single regional holiday.
A visitor could begin in Manila, continue to Cebu or another Philippine island, and then fly to Vietnam for a city and cultural itinerary. Another traveller could start in Hanoi, continue to central Vietnam and then connect with Manila before exploring the Philippine islands.
This type of travel also gives airlines, hotels, tour operators and destination businesses more opportunities to create linked products across the two markets.
The next 50 years begin with tourism
The 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations gives the Philippines and Vietnam a new framework for tourism cooperation through 2029. The programme places air connectivity and visitor exchanges at the centre of the tourism relationship, while wider cultural and people-to-people programmes provide additional links between the two countries. CHED
For travellers, the practical change will be seen through connections between gateways such as Manila, Cebu, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. As flight frequencies and tourism cooperation develop, the Philippines and Vietnam will offer more opportunities for visitors to combine Southeast Asian city breaks, cultural journeys, beach holidays, food experiences and island adventures within the same regional itinerary.
