At the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam from March 25-26. In a recent interview with VOV regarding the visit’s significance, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh emphasized that this visit marks an important milestone in the bilateral relationship and serves as an opportunity to reinforce and implement key aspects of the newly upgraded comprehensive strategic cooperation, which was elevated during General Secretary To Lam’s recent visit to Singapore.

VOV: Could you elaborate on the purpose and significance of the Singaporean Prime Minister’s upcoming official visit to Vietnam?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh: This is a particularly special visit, taking place less than two weeks after Party General Secretary To Lam’s trip to Singapore from March 11-13. It underscores the robust development of Vietnam-Singapore relations and the strong commitment of both sides to fostering this relationship at the highest level.

This visit reflects an established ASEAN tradition whereby newly appointed leaders conduct introductory visits to fellow member states as a gesture of goodwill and diplomatic engagement. Beyond this, it provides an opportunity for both sides to build upon discussions from Party General Secretary To Lam’s recent visit and to carry out key elements of the joint statement on the upgraded comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore. As such, the visit is expected to bring substantial benefits to the two countries.

VOV: What are the key highlights of the Singaporean PM’s visit, given its timing so soon after the Vietnamese top Party leader’s historic and highly successful visit to Singapore?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh: Despite the visit being brief, lasting approximately 24 hours in Vietnam, all of Vietnam’s top leaders, including the Prime Minister, will hold discussions with the Singaporean delegation. Furthermore, the visit will include concrete cooperation initiatives, such as the signing of cooperation agreements between the two sides, which will help realize aspects of the strategic partnership.

One key event during the visit will be the groundbreaking ceremony for a Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) project in Thai Binh province. With 18 operational VSIP projects across Vietnam, this new addition signals continued expansion, with more industrial parks expected in the future.

VOV: In light of the complex international and regional landscape, particularly amid great-power competition, how can Vietnam and Singapore work together to sustain the positive momentum in their relations?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh: Given today’s global and regional uncertainties, strengthening both bilateral and multilateral cooperation within ASEAN is of paramount importance. Both Vietnam and Singapore play proactive and constructive roles in augmenting regional cooperation.

Vietnam’s decision to elevate ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership with Singapore as well as with Indonesia and Malaysia, is a timely and strategic move. More importantly, Vietnam-Singapore cooperation, alongside broader ASEAN collaboration, sends a strong message to the international community that ASEAN is a highly cohesive organization that aspires to play an active and central role in maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region.

In practical terms, advancing bilateral ties requires close collaboration on policies, facilitated through regular exchanges and consultations at all levels. Annual meetings between the two PMs as well as ongoing political consultations and inter-agency dialogues, are crucial in maintaining a shared perspective on regional and global affairs.

Apart from government-level interactions, enhancing deeper connections between ministries, localities, businesses, and citizens is essential. Cooperation should extend beyond economics, trade, and investment to include education, culture, and security-defence co-operation.

People-to-people exchanges will also play a pivotal role, facilitated by increased connectivity, including expanded air routes. Currently, there are 19 daily flights between Vietnam and Singapore, with additional routes being launched, such as Vietjet Air’s new Singapore-Phu Quoc service. Such developments will further promote exchanges between businesses and citizens of both countries.

Lastly, Vietnam and Singapore will step up cooperation in strategic sectors vital for future development, including clean energy, digital transformation, startups, and green finance. These fields will see extensive collaboration, leading to concrete projects and practical benefits for both nations.

VOV: Thank you very much.

Vietnam, Singapore to bring security cooperation on par with new partnership

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang and Singaporean Minister for Home Affairs K. Shanmugam held talks on March 13, agreeing to elevate cooperation between the two ministries on par with their countries’ freshly established comprehensive strategic partnership.