In a recent interview with VOV, the ambassador described the visit as particularly significant as it marks the first State visit by Vietnam’s top leader to an ASEAN member state since the country completed its recent high-level leadership restructuring.

Singapore is also pleased that this is To Lam’s second visit to the city-state within two years, he noted. During the Vietnamese leader’s previous visit in March last year, the two countries upgraded ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.

Since then, both sides have maintained active high-level exchanges, including Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to Vietnam and meetings with senior Vietnamese leaders.

The frequency of high-level exchanges reflects the close ties between senior leaders of the two countries, the importance both sides attach to bilateral relations, and the strong momentum in ties since the relationship upgrade, Rajpal Singh stressed.

According to the ambassador, Singapore and Vietnam are now moving bilateral relations into a new phase as the two countries work together to deal with issues of shared interest while mitigating external shocks.

He added that both sides are expected to expand cooperation in emerging areas such as the digital economy, high-tech manufacturing, higher education and training, noting that Singapore and Vietnam are “natural partners” as they enter a new stage of development and respond to global challenges.

On bilateral cooperation prospects, Rajpal Singh said the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework has created fresh impetus for the two countries to boost ties further, particularly in economic cooperation.

Singapore has long been one of Vietnam’s leading foreign investors and was the largest investor in the country last year, accounting for more than one-quarter of newly registered foreign investment capital.

The Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) model demonstrates the two countries’ ability to jointly implement large-scale economic projects that bring mutual benefits. From just two VSIPs in the early 2000s, the number has now risen to 22.

Singapore is also looking to expand economic cooperation with Vietnam in two key areas, he went on.

The first is the digital sector, where Singaporean businesses are already expanding operations and investment in Vietnam. Rajpal Singh said a special Tech Connect Forum will be held during the State visit, with  technology firms from both countries expected to sign new agreements and projects.

The second area is green growth and sustainable development as both nations signed an implementation agreement on carbon credits last year and are now working towards launching projects in this field later this year.

Singapore is also studying the possibility of importing electricity from Vietnam, particularly offshore wind power, which he highlighted as a long-term project with major significance.

 Rajpal Singh stated that his nation is optimistic about Vietnam’s growth prospects as the country pursues ambitious development targets, including double-digit growth over the next five years, alongside wide-ranging policy and administrative reforms.

Singapore hopes to expand investment beyond Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City into other localities with strong potential such as Da Nang, Hai Phong, Hung Yen, Bac Ninh and Dong Nai.

On political cooperation, the ambassador said the two countries are discussing a new high-level mechanism involving leaders and senior officials to exchange views on governance, public administration and digital transformation.

He also reaffirmed traditional cooperation in defence and security, particularly as the world faces increasingly complex non-traditional security challenges. Last year, defence ministers of the two countries exchanged visits and reaffirmed close defence cooperation.

In education and training, Vietnam is currently the largest recipient under the Singapore Cooperation Programme, with more than 22,000 Vietnamese officials having received training.

Singapore is now seeking to enhance the quality of training programmes for Vietnamese officials, he said, citing digital governance programmes launched in Hai Phong last year and a public healthcare digital transformation course organised in Ho Chi Minh City this year.

Singapore believes a strong and prosperous Vietnam would benefit not only Singapore and ASEAN, but also the broader international community, the diplomat stressed.

Commenting on To Lam’s participation and keynote address at the 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue, Rajpal Singh described it as an important milestone, noting that this will be the first time a Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President delivers a keynote speech at the forum.

According to the ambassador, the region and the wider world are paying close attention to To Lam’s views on current geopolitical and geo-economic developments.

He also described the invitation as recognition of Vietnam’s achievements and contributions since joining ASEAN more than 30 years ago, particularly in promoting political stability, economic integration and a people-centred ASEAN Community.

The move also shows Vietnam’s readiness to play a more active role in tackling geopolitical and geo-economic uncertainties.

The Shangri-La Dialogue, he emphasized, is the region’s leading security forum, bringing together participants for open discussions on shared challenges. The keynote speech by To Lam is expected to help guide future discussions on these issues.

Singapore supports Vietnam taking on a more active role in this area as the two countries share many common principles and views on international issues, including respect for national sovereignty, adherence to international law and the peaceful settlement of disputes, the ambassador said.

He added that Singapore hopes to work even more closely with Vietnam in upholding and promoting these principles.

Vietnam, Singapore strengthen political trust and strategic coordination

VOV.VN - Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s forthcoming State visit to Singapore carries special significance in continuing to implement and further develop the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Media in island city state highlights growing importance of Vietnam-Singapore ties

VOV.VN - Singapore-based AsiaInvest on May 25 published an article titled “Singapore and Vietnam: Strengthening Economic Cooperation in a Changing Global Environment”, highlighting the growing importance of bilateral ties amid global economic uncertainty.