South China Sea: Philippines, Vietnam join forces but Hanoi policy a stumbling block?

Observers say, however, that in the event of any escalation of tensions with China, joint action between the Philippines and Vietnam remains unlikely as Hanoi’s defence policy prohibits it from forming alliances to oppose another nation.

The exercise on August 9 was not directed at China, Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Armand Balilo earlier told reporters, calling the operation “a good template to de-escalate” the situation in the disputed waterway.

“This shows that even rival claimants can have an opportunity to nurture a relationship.”

Colonel Hoang Quoc Dat, head of the Vietnamese Coast Guard delegation, said their visit was meant to strengthen both countries’ “cooperative relationship for mutual benefit”.

Tran Thi Mong Tuyen, an academic at National Cheng Kung University, told This Week in Asia that Vietnam valued and sought to enhance its strategic partnership with the Philippines in a more effective and practical manner, adding that both Asean countries had the most disputes with Beijing in the South China Sea.

“This situation brings the Philippines and Vietnam closer together, despite their own disputes in the South China Sea,” Tran said.

Last month, defence officials from both countries met to “reaffirm their commitment to enhancing bilateral defence cooperation” and emphasised “joint efforts to strengthen Asean’s solidarity and centrality in the regional security structure”, according to the Philippine Department of National Defence.

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History, money and military: why the South China Sea is so important to Beijing

Tran said Vietnam and the Philippines shared many similarities and strategic interests beyond maritime issues – Vietnam remains the largest rice exporter to the Philippines, accounting for 85 per cent of