This was affirmed by Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh in a recent interview with a correspondent from the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) based in Thailand and covering ASEAN, ahead of the official visit to Singapore by General Secretary To Lam and his spouse from March 11-13.

Reporter: Ambassador, could you share the purpose and significance of Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Singapore from March 11-13?

Ambassador: This visit holds immense significance for Vietnam-Singapore relations, marking a new milestone in the 52-year-long bilateral ties. Vietnam and Singapore established diplomatic relations in 1973, upgraded them to a Strategic Partnership in 2013, and during this upcoming visit, it is expected that the bilateral relationship will be elevated to the highest level, a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Beyond upgrading the relationship, this visit also carries profound meaning. It not only demonstrates the commitment of both countries' leaders to strengthening bilateral ties but also underscores the attention given by the leadership of both ruling parties.

The visit, led by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will include meetings with Singapore’s top leaders, including Secretary-General and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Thus, the elevation of relations, especially through a visit by the top Vietnamese Party leader serves as a critical political foundation for further deepening the already strong Vietnam-Singapore relationship, making it more substantive and comprehensive.

Reporter: What key areas of bilateral cooperation will the leaders of both countries focus on, and what will be the major highlights of this visit?

Ambassador: In addition to traditional areas of cooperation such as trade, investment, culture, education, and people-to-people exchanges, both sides are prioritizing new fields of cooperation.

One notable example is clean energy. Vietnam boasts huge potential for renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power, while Singapore has a significant demand for clean energy. Both countries have committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Given Singapore’s demand and Vietnam’s potential, this sector will be a key focus of future cooperation.

Additionally, science, technology, and innovation-essential drivers of economic growth- are areas where Singapore has extensive experience. The island city state serves as a hub for multinational corporations, including those in the technology sector, which is a key area where Vietnam has growing demand.

Another important area of cooperation is financial centers. Vietnam aims to develop Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang into international financial hubs, while Singapore is already a world-class financial center. Vietnam can learn a great deal from Singapore’s experience, and at the same time, this presents investment opportunities for Singaporean financial corporations as well as global financial institutions based in Singapore that are looking to invest in Vietnam.

Reporter: How would you assess the foundation of trust that has fostered strong bilateral ties, particularly in economic cooperation, as exemplified by the expansion of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs)?

Ambassador: The political relationship between the two countries is exceptionally strong, and the level of trust between our leaders is extremely high and solid. Numerous bilateral mechanisms for meetings, engagements, and dialogues take place annually, and now there is also an annual meeting mechanism between the two Prime Ministers. Furthermore, relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and Singapore’s People's Action Party are very strong. I believe this solid political foundation provides a significant advantage in elevating bilateral ties to new heights in the coming years.

Declaring the upgrade in relations is only the first step in transitioning to a new phase. The critical question is how we will implement the commitments effectively. First and foremost, we need an Action Plan to concretely outline the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This plan must be highly detailed, specifying clear responsibilities, tasks, and timelines.

Regarding Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs), these projects serve as flagship models in bilateral relations. As we move forward, we need to consider the next 50 years of development. Previously, VSIPs focused on attracting labor-intensive and capital-intensive investments. However, moving forward, the focus should shift towards industries that are knowledge- and technology-intensive to attract high-quality investors. Both sides need to engage in discussions to determine the best approach for the next phase of these symbolic projects.

Reporter: Could you share some other notable activities planned during General Secretary To Lam’s visit to Singapore?

Ambassador: In addition to announcing the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, the delegation has a packed agenda. One key event is a policy speech by the Vietnamese Party chief at the National University of Singapore. I believe this will be an important occasion to convey Vietnam’s message to the global community, in line with Resolution 57, which underlines science, technology, and innovation as the foundation for breakthrough developments in the future.

Party chief’s trip to enhance cooperation with Indonesia, Singapore, ASEAN: official

Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Indonesia, official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat based in the country, and official visit to Singapore from March 9-13 will lay the foundation and open new spaces of cooperation for Vietnam's relations with the two countries, and ASEAN.