Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines, has a population of approximately 1.8 million and serves as the historic core of Metro Manila. The city is the country's political, administrative, commercial, educational, cultural, and maritime hub, playing a central role in the Philippines' national economy. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA), the economy of the City of Manila was valued at approximately PHP 987.88 billion in 2023, recording an annual growth rate of 2.2%, underscoring the city's significance as one of the Philippines' leading urban economies. Manila's key strengths include services, trade, logistics, port operations, education, urban tourism, culture, the creative economy, and the management of large-scale urban activities. As a densely populated capital city at the heart of the country's metropolitan region, Manila has accumulated valuable experience in metropolitan governance, public service delivery, urban social welfare, transport management, public space management, and the development of a service-oriented economy.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc meets with Francisco Noel R. Fernandez III, Ambassador of the Republic of the Philippines to Viet Nam.
Photo: Tuoi Tre Newspaper.
The partnership between Ho Chi Minh City and the City of Manila has been strengthened through more than three decades of friendship since the establishment of their sister-city relationship in 1994, complemented by cultural exchanges and expanding avenues of cooperation within the broader framework of Viet Nam–Philippines relations. In 2011, cultural exchange activities held in the Philippines under the Ho Chi Minh City–Manila sister-city partnership further promoted mutual understanding and people-to-people ties between the two localities. More recently, during exchanges between the leadership of Ho Chi Minh City and Philippine counterparts, both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to strengthening business connectivity and expanding cooperation in education, student exchanges, tourism, the digital economy, information technology, and innovation. These priority areas closely reflect the evolving trend of urban cooperation within ASEAN, where major cities are not only drivers of economic growth but also increasingly collaborate in sharing experience in urban governance, innovation, and human capital development.
For Ho Chi Minh City, Manila is a valuable partner for advancing cooperation in ASEAN urban governance, trade, logistics, education, tourism, the creative economy, and people-to-people exchanges. As two densely populated metropolitan centres and major economic and service hubs, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila share many common characteristics and urban development challenges. This provides a strong foundation for exchanging experience and best practices in transport management, environmental sustainability, public service delivery, digital transformation, and the development of high-quality public spaces.
Looking ahead, particularly within the framework of the 3rd Ho Chi Minh City Friendship Dialogue (FD 2026), Ho Chi Minh City seeks to expand cooperation with Manila and attract investment, technology, and governance expertise across five priority areas:
1. ASEAN Urban Governance
Promote the exchange of experience in managing densely populated cities, enhancing public service delivery, urban social welfare, public space development, digital transformation in urban governance, and improving the quality of citizen-centred services.
2. Trade, Logistics and Port Development
Strengthen business connectivity, leverage the strategic role of seaports, enhance goods distribution networks, promote intra-ASEAN trade, and improve regional supply chain integration.
3. Urban Tourism and the Creative Economy
Foster collaboration in destination promotion, event development, urban culture, creative industries, entertainment services, and tourism products targeting the ASEAN market.
4. Education, Youth Exchanges and Innovation
Expand cooperation through student, youth and young professional exchange programmes, strengthen partnerships among universities and technology enterprises, support start-up ecosystems, and promote collaboration in the digital economy.
5. Sustainable Urban Development and Climate Resilience
Explore joint initiatives in environmental protection, sustainable transport, waste management, flood mitigation, climate adaptation, and the development of inclusive and resilient urban communities.