Party chief’s visit creates motivation for Vietnam – Singapore all-around cooperation
Economic and trade cooperation has remained a highlight in Vietnam-Singapore relations, especially during the past decade of their strategic partnership (2013-2024).
One of the success symbols in the bilateral relations is the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – ⛎General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam’s ongoing official visit to Singapore is expected to create new momentum for bilateral cooperation, particularly in innovation, renewable energy, and digital transformation, that aligns with both countries' sustainable development goals.
The Hoa Sen Group and Singapore’s SP Group sign a strategic partnership to promote sustainable development of clean energy across Hoa Sen’s factories. (Photo: VNA)
Economic and trade cooperation has remained a highlight in Vietnam-Singapore relations, especially during the past decade of their strategic partnership (2013-2024). Both sides are now members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), contributing to economic growth in each country and the region.
Big investors
Experts note that the Vietnam-Singapore relations have grown strongly since the two countries established the strategic partnership in 2013. Notably, Singapore is the largest ASEAN investor in Vietnam and ranks second among 147 countries and territories investing in the country, with 3,915 valid projects worth over 83 billion USD. Singaporean investors have poured capital into 18 out of the 21 economic sectors in Vietnam, with focus on processing, manufacturing, real estate, and production and distribution of electricity and gas.
One of the success symbols in the bilateral relations is the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) model. To date, there are 18 VSIPs in 13 provinces and cities, attracting over 18.7 billion USD in investment and creating jobs for more than 300,000 workers.
Meanwhile, Vietnam has run 180 investment projects in Singapore, with a total registered capital of over 668 million USD, focusing on science – technology, and information – communications.
Vietnam and Singapore are influential ASEAN members at multilateral forums and on the international arena. The two countries have closely cooperated in regional and international organisations and multilateral forums such as the UN, ASEAN, the Asia – Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and in regional and global issues of common concern.
According to experts, strong political and diplomatic ties, geographical proximity, cultural similarities in Southeast Asia, and shared membership in FTAs are favourable factors for bcooperation between the two nations. Additionally, many Singaporean business delegations, supported by the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, visit Vietnam annually to explore the market, seek investment opportunities and partners, and strengthen industrial, trade, and service ties. This reflects the high demand for cooperation between businesses from both sides.
Cao Xuan Thang, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Singapore, said Singapore is home to numerous multinational companies and serves as a large regional and global hub for information, trade, finance, and logistics. It is also a key international air transit hub and a vital gateway for Asia, particularly Southeast Asia, including Vietnam.
Notably, the Vietnam-Singapore comprehensive economic partnership agreement, signed in December 2020, has opened up many opportunities for trade cooperation.
In January this year, Vietnam became Singapore’s 9th largest trading partner, with two-way trade hitting over 3.39 billion SGD (over 2.54 billion USD), up 16.83% year-on-year. This helps position Vietnam as Singapore’s 15th largest import market.
At a meeting with Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hoang Long emphasised that Singapore is a particularly important partner for Vietnam, and one of Vietnam’s leading economic, trade, and investment partners in the region and the world.
Beyond trade and industry, developing digital economy, and green, clean and sustainable economy is promising areas for stronger cooperation between Vietnamese and Singaporean businesses, he said, expressing his hope that Singapore will continue to support Vietnam in these areas.
To achieve their target of cutting emissions to net zero by 2050, both countries must effectively implement their Green-Digital Economic Partnership imitated in 2023, he noted.
Further strengthening cooperation
To promote market access for Vietnamese pork, chicken, and poultry eggs in Singapore, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh stated during a meeting with representatives of the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) that Vietnam is ready to cooperate with and support Singapore in ensuring food security.
Vietnam also hopes that the SFA and relevant authorities will expedite the evaluation of Vietnamese enterprises and farms, paving the way for Vietnam’s official export of chicken and poultry eggs to Singapore, the diplomat said.
Damian Chan, CEO of SFA, said heat-processed chicken products from Vietnam could soon be considered for official export to Singapore. He hoped that poultry eggs and other meat products of Vietnam will meet requirements in the future.
The Hoa Sen Group and Singapore’s SP Group recently signed a strategic partnership to promote sustainable development of clean energy across Hoa Sen’s factories nationwide. Accordingly, the SP Group will serve as the consultant for the Hoa Sen Group’s transition to clean energy, providing expertise in power grid infrastructure investment, cooling systems, energy-saving solutions, and other projects for the Vietnamese enterprise’s facilities.
Vu Van Thanh, General Director of the Hoa Sen Group, said that this partnership reflects the company’s strong commitment to sustainable development by promoting green production and emission reduction solutions to meet green standards.
To achieve successful and sustainable exports to Singapore, Thang advised Vietnamese businesses to thoroughly research the market and stay updated on import trends to build effective export strategies.
According Thang, Singapore is becoming more cautious in its trade policies, seeking to avoid over-reliance on any single export or import market. This presents an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to deepen their presence in Singapore, contributing to Vietnam’s export growth./.
Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse pay an official visit to Singapore from March 11 to 13, 2025 at the invitation of Prime Minister of Singapore and Secretary-General of its People's Action Party Lawrence Wong. Since elevating their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013, Vietnam and Singapore have strengthened their cooperation, yielding significant results across various sectors. Today, their ties are closer than ever, marked by high mutual trust and fruitful collaboration.
Experts and scholars in Singapore have proposed ways to boost cooperation in science-technology, innovation, and national digital transformation between the two nations, positioning the area as a new driver for Vietnam to enter a new era – that of the nation’s rise.
Professor Vu Minh Khuong from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy under the National University of Singapore told the Vietnam News Agency that both Vietnam and Singapore possess huge potential to elevate their relations to a new high in the coming time.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
