MANILA, June 1 (Reuters) - The Philippines and Vietnam are elevating their ties to an enhanced strategic partnership, reaffirming that shared commitment to peace and stability in ‌the South China Sea is "non-negotiable," President Ferdinand Marcos Jr said on Monday during ‌a state visit by Vietnam's top leader To Lam to Manila.

Marcos said there is no doubt the Philippines and ​Vietnam share a common interest in maintaining peace, stability and a rules-based order in their region, adding that the partnership has become more important as the region navigates an evolving and uncertain global environment.

• Marcos said the deeper ties would be "defined by wider pathways for cooperation, stronger political ‌and defence cooperation, and closer ⁠linkages between the Filipino and Vietnamese people."

• Vietnam is the Philippines' lone strategic partner in the ASEAN region, after they upgraded ties 10 years ago ⁠in a show of unity against China.

• Marcos said Manila and Hanoi reaffirmed that maintaining peace, stability, and the freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea "remains non-negotiable."

• He added ​that both ​countries "remain resolute in their commitment to the peaceful resolution ​of disputes," grounded on international law, ‌particularly the 1982 UNCLOS treaty and the 2016 South China Sea arbitral award.

• To Lam said the Philippines is an "important regional partner of Vietnam", citing a similar vision and strategic interests, and strong commitments for peace and stability. "We always want to bring the strategic partnership with the Philippines to a new high."

• To Lam said he and Marcos agreed to have closer ‌coordination to "effectively respond" to regional and global challenges.

• ​The Philippines and Vietnam signed deals on defense cooperation, ​information and technology, tourism and education.

• Speaking ​after the meeting with Marcos, To Lam said Vietnam and the ‌Philippines agreed to enhance security and defence ​cooperation.

• He said they ​will also seek to boost economic ties and will work together to ensure food security.

• Vietnam is the largest supplier of rice to the Philippines.

• The Philippine and ​Vietnamese coast guards held their ‌first joint exercises in 2024, despite overlapping claims to some South China Sea ​features.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Nestor Corrales; Additional reporting by Khanh Vu in ​Hanoi; Editing by John Mair and Thomas Derpinghaus)