At the reception, the Deputy PM highlighted Singapore as a foremost regional partner for Viet Nam in commerce, investment, and trade. Expressing gratitude for Singapore's invitation to visit and participate in the Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellowship Program, he commended the robust advancement of bilateral ties, marked by the formal elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025.
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Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc (right) and Singaporean Ambassador to Viet Nam Rajpal Singh |
He recommended that both nations sustain reciprocal high-level delegations, effectively carry out the 2025–2030 Action Program for the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and fully utilize the annual summit mechanism between their Prime Ministers.
Welcoming collaborative milestones ahead of the 30th anniversary of Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP), Tuc called for transforming future VSIP models into green, intelligent hubs driven by innovation and advanced technology. He additionally encouraged Singapore to expand its procurement of premium Vietnamese farm and aquatic produce.
The Deputy PM urged Singapore to maintain its backing for Viet Nam’s establishment of international financial hubs, development of marine and aviation infrastructure, and growth in logistics. He also underscored the need to bolster ties in human resource training, administrative capacity building, as well as defense and security. Tuc noted that both nations should fast-track interoperability between Viet Nam’s VNeID and Singapore’s Singpass digital identity platforms, while intensifying partnerships in data management, digital transition, and cyber defense.
Addressing emerging cooperation fronts, Tuc urged Singapore to expedite the cross-border renewable power transmission initiative across Viet Nam, Malaysia, and Singapore, which will advance the broader ASEAN Power Grid. He also underscored the swift execution of the Viet Nam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Strategy, focusing on semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and advanced manufacturing. Furthermore, he pressed for early consensus on technical frameworks so enterprises from both sides can readily roll out carbon credit ventures.
Touching upon multilateral issues, the Deputy PM reiterated Viet Nam’s backing for Singapore’s upcoming ASEAN Chairmanship in 2027. He stressed the importance of joint efforts to consolidate ASEAN unity and centrality, preserve a shared stance on the East Sea (aka South China Sea), and conclude a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) aligned with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In response, Singh welcomed the fruitful momentum in the Viet Nam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
He affirmed that Singapore places great weight on its ties with Viet Nam and seeks continued close engagement to fulfill high-level commitments, especially across commerce, investment, next-generation VSIP initiatives, green power, and technological links.
The ambassador acknowledged the Vietnamese Deputy PM’s initiatives and pledged active coordination with relevant authorities in both countries to advance concrete programs, particularly those geared toward personnel training and civil service development.
Singh also reiterated Singapore’s resolve to foster close coordination and mutual assistance to achieve their shared international priorities in 2027, the year Singapore assumes the ASEAN Chairmanship and Viet Nam hosts the APEC forum.
Translated by Song Anh