The Vietnam War took a toll of millions of lives. Now, the Vietnamese people are on their way toward achieving full economic recovery. Their government instituted reforms in 1987, aimed at liberalizing the economy. The Doi Moi (liberalization) policy has proved to be successful in attracting foreign investments and international trade.

After joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam was accepted into the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). It signed a trade agreement with the United States. Today, the Philippines and Vietnam work closely together as fellow member states of the ASEAN in economic, political, and security matters.

Last year, the 5th Meeting of the Philippines-Vietnam Joint Commission for Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) was held in Manila to review and strengthen the implementation of the Philippines-Vietnam Plan of Action 2008-2010. During the meeting, the Philippines and Vietnam discussed their growing defense and military cooperation. They committed to undertake measures to attain their goal of total trade of US$2 billion by 2010.

Reaffirmed during the meeting was the importance of maritime cooperation.

The two countries reiterated their commitment to the principles of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea. They underscored the achievements of the Joint Oceanographic Marine Scientific Research Expedition in the South China Sea (JOMSRE-SCS) Phase I, and looked forward to the conference of JOMSRE-SCS Phase I to be held in Ha Long City, Vietnam. They reiterated the importance of the tripartite (with China) Joint Marine Seismic Undertaking (JMSU) in transforming the South China Sea into a zone of cooperation in the region. The meeting also agreed to intensify bilateral collaboration in other areas, such as fisheries, human resources, health, tourism, forestry, energy, social welfare and development, culture, and science and technology.

We congratulate the government and people of Vietnam led by Their Excellencies, General Secretary Nong Manh, President Nguyen Minh Triet, and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and its Embassy in the Philippines, headed by H.E. Ambassador Vu Xuan Truong, on the occasion of its Liberation Day. (Manila Bulletin)