HANOI – The bilateral relationship between Singapore and Vietnam is at a high point, with economic cooperation stronger than ever, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said at the start of his visit to Vietnam on March 25.
“I am confident that our ties will continue to grow from strength to strength,” he said in a toast speech at a dinner hosted by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
At the event held at the country’s Office of Government, PM Wong pointed to the regular exchange of visits between leaders on both sides, which demonstrate the high level of trust between the two countries.
“They show how the Singapore-Vietnam relationship has grown over the years since the very first exchange of visits between then Senior Minister Lee Kuan Yew and then General Secretary Do Muoi,” he said.
PM Wong added that Singapore has a like-minded and forward-looking partner in Mr Chinh.
Both countries had pledged to deepen cooperation in areas such as the digital economy, cross-border electricity trade and sustainable infrastructure.
On March 26, PM Wong and Mr Chinh are expected to witness the exchange of several agreements between the two countries on deepening cooperation.
One key plank of the relationship is the Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks. There are currently 20 such parks spread across Vietnam, which have collectively attracted over US$23 billion (S$30.8 billion) in investments and supported more than 320,000 jobs in the country.
Singapore and Vietnam have strong people-to-people ties, with people travelling between the two countries for tourism, work and studies.
“The growing Vietnamese community in Singapore has also enriched the diversity of our island state,” said PM Wong.
“They have also brought their culture to our Singaporean traditions, including having a Vietnamese team participating in our Chingay parade last month.”
He added: “Singapore is also honoured to be able to play a role in supporting Vietnam’s human resource development.”
Over 22,000 Vietnamese officials have attended courses under the Singapore Cooperation Programme, he noted, with many doing so at the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Centre in Hanoi.
PM Wong also said: “PM Chinh himself has been an advocate of transforming Vietnam through three ‘strategic breakthroughs’ of institutional reform, digital infrastructure and human resource development; and by pursuing advancement in strategic areas like the green economy.”
These align with Singapore’s own priorities and the agenda set out in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP), which was pledged during a visit by Communist Party of Vietnam general secretary To Lam to Singapore earlier in March.
The CSP sets out a road map for deepening links and covers new areas of cooperation, such as renewable energy, carbon credits, subsea cable connectivity and the digital economy, while addressing emerging challenges such as scams and cybercrimes.
“Both sides are committed to ensuring swift and speedy progress in implementing the CSP and I look forward to discussing this further with PM Chinh,” PM Wong said.
He added: “We welcome your encouragement for Singapore companies to grow their presence here in Vietnam in sectors like low-carbon power, and we look forward to the Vietnam government’s support for such projects.”
PM Lawrence Wong and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh exchanging a hug at the dinner at Vietnam’s Office of Government on March 25.PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO
PM Wong said: “We have firm foundations for our bilateral relations to continue flourishing in the coming years. I look forward to working closely with PM Chinh and the government of Vietnam, to take our ties to new heights.”
In his toast speech, Mr Chinh described PM Wong’s visit as a significant one that affirmed the two countries’ friendship as well as one that marks a new milestone for the CSP.
“Our relationship is built on solid political trust, extensive economic connectivity, and close-knit human links that aim for a shared future of sustainable green and innovative growth towards prosperity,” he said.
He said, with reference to the CSP, that it was the combination of an independent, strong, prosperous and sustainable Vietnam and a resilient, dynamic and innovative Singapore.
“Together, we shall… build a stronger Asean and contribute suitably to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world,” he added.
At the dinner, they were entertained with a performance by famous Vietnamese soprano Dao To Loan as well as one led by musician-conductor Dong Quang Vinh of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet.
Mr Vinh is known for combining traditional Vietnamese musical instruments in his performances.
PM Wong is in Hanoi for a two-day visit, which is his first to Vietnam as prime minister.
He is accompanied by Mrs Wong, as well as Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and Manpower Minister Tan See Leng, who is also Second Minister for Trade and Industry.
PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, will call on Mr Lam, the country’s top leader, and President Luong Cuong, and meet National Assembly chairman Tran Thanh Man.
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