President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. arrived in Vietnam on Monday afternoon for a two-day state visit, which aims to strengthen the bilateral ties between the Philippines and Vietnam, the Presidential Communications Office said.

He is accompanied by First Lady Louise “Liza” Araneta-Marcos and the Philippine delegation.

The plane carrying President Marcos and the First Lady arrived at around 3:05 p.m. (Vietnam time) at the Noi Bai International Airport where they were warmly welcomed by the Vietnamese officials.

Marcos will visit the Vingroup Company to deepen the Philippines’ engagement with them.

Vingroup is Vietnam’s largest private company with a total market cap amounting to USD21.1 billion as of April 2023 through its subsidiary VinFast, which has a valuation at USD15 billion.

VinFast plans to sell and launch its electric vehicles (EVs) in the Philippines through dealership business by April 2024.

The company expressed interest to engage in the manufacture or assembly of completely knocked down (CKD) EVs depending on the outcome of its market tests.

The PCO said some private sector leaders from the Philippines will join the President during the meeting to explore partnership opportunities.

After the meeting, the President and the Philippine delegation will meet with the Filipino community to personally thank them for their contributions to strengthen the connections between the Philippines and Vietnam, which serves as a home to 7,003 overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).

The President and the Philippine delegation are expected to be back home on Jan. 31. (PNA)