A seminar on the role of people-to-people diplomacy and education cooperation in Vietnam – Philippines strategic partnership took place in the northern city of Thai Nguyen on July 8.

Among topics discussed at the seminar were joint projects between the Thai Nguyen University and its Philippine partner universities, as well as the impact of the strategic partnership between the two countries.

Participants said both bilateral people-to-people diplomacy and education cooperation have fallen short of potential.

The seminar. Source: baothainguyen.vn

The Vietnam-Philippines friendship association and its Philippine equivalent should work together to boost the two peoples’ mutual understanding, they added.

Underscoring the importance of the two arenas in cementing the partnership, Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Noel Servigon said the Philippines looks to cooperative opportunities in more cities and provinces in Vietnam.

“We hope Vietnamese people would know more about our country, particularly our academic environment,” the diplomat noted.

Vietnam and the Philippines established diplomatic relations on July 12, 1976.

In late 2015, the sides signed a pact to elevate their ties to strategic partnership.

Their two-way trade revenue now reaches nearly three billion USD.

Approximately 1000 Vietnamese students are studying at Philippine universities, while hundreds of Philippine teachers are working in Vietnam.

Source: VNA