Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Singapore have rooms for extensive engagements,particularly in the sea, high-quality workforce, and startup fields, DeputyPrime Minister Truong Hoa Binh said during talks with his Singaporean counterpartTeo Chee Hean in Hanoi on March 22.

He affirmedthat Vietnam values developing the strategic partnership with Singapore, whichis among its leading partners in ASEAN and in the region,  suggesting the sides hold regular high-levelvisit exchanges and meetings.

Binh praisedthe guest’s contributions to boosting the Vietnam – Singapore strategicpartnership in politics, diplomacy, security-defence, trade, economy, andpeople-to-people exchange.

He said thepartnership has grown toward practical outcomes in recent years, withpolitics-diplomacy ties deepened based on trust and the maintenance of exchangeof visits across all levels and all channels.

Cooperation in defence- security has been deepened while that in culture,science-technology, and education has recorded positive progresses.

Bilateraltrade hit 7.66 billion USD last year, making Singapore the 4th biggest trade partner of Vietnam in ASEAN. The country was also the 3rd largest foreign investor in Vietnam with a total capital of 48 billion USD. TheVietnam – Singapore industrial parks in Vietnam have showed effectiveoperations, creating jobs for locals and bringing mutual benefits to bothcountries.

In term ofmultilateral relations, the two countries shared similarities in their views onstrategic security issues. Both valued the promotion of solidarity,self-reliance, and ASEAN’s central role in the evolving regional architecture.They prioritised boosting connectivity, narrowing development gaps, andstrengthening collaboration regarding the East Sea issue. They have workedclosely together at ASEAN and UN forums.



TheSingaporean Deputy PM said his visit aims to bolster bilateral ties.

He took the occasion to congratulate Vietnam on its successful host of thesecond summit between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the US.

He said bothcountries have faith in developing a strong ASEAN Community and expanding partnershipbeyond the bloc. He expressed his hope that Vietnam will have a successfulASEAN Chair next year.

At thetalks, the sides reviewed past cooperation and discussed in depth bilateralcollaboration in trade, investment, environmental protection, justice, cybersecurity, anti-corruption, fire prevention, and anti-drug crime.-VNA