Party Central Committee member, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong stressed this in a recent media interview on the significance and importance of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s State visit to Singapore from May 29-31, 2026.

According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vietnam and Singapore have become a successful model of cooperation within ASEAN after more than half a century of diplomatic ties. The establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2013 and its elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025 marked an especially important step forward, demonstrating high political trust, increasingly close alignment of interests and a shared strategic vision in the new context.

He described economic, trade and investment cooperation as the most prominent pillar of bilateral ties. Singapore is currently one of Vietnam’s leading economic partners and the country’s second-largest foreign investor, with more than 4,500 valid projects and total registered capital of nearly US$97 billion. Singaporean investments span sectors including manufacturing, infrastructure, logistics, real estate, finance, high technology and modern services, contributing to economic growth, job creation and Vietnam’s economic restructuring.

Cuong highlighted the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) network as a symbol of successful bilateral cooperation. From the first VSIP project, the network has expanded to multiple localities across Vietnam.

The VSIPs are not only effective models of economic cooperation, but also symbols of trust, long-term vision and strategic ties between the two countries. In the next phase of development, the VSIPs are moving toward greener, smarter and higher-tech models linked to sustainable development.

According to the diplomat, cooperation in emerging sectors and deeper cooperation is also becoming an important focus in bilateral ties. Singapore is regarded as ASEAN’s leading country in innovation, digital transformation, the digital economy, finance, modern governance and high-quality human resources development.

Both nations are boosting deeper cooperation in areas such as artificial intelligence, big data, semiconductor technology, clean energy, green transition and financial centre development.

Cuong stated that the two sides are also advancing technology and innovation connectivity initiatives aimed at linking technology ecosystems, innovation centres, tech companies and high-quality human resources between the two countries. He described this as a long-term strategic direction aligned with Vietnam’s development needs and Singapore’s strengths.

Human resources training and governance capacity-building were also described as areas of long-term strategic significance. Over the years, Singapore has supported Vietnam in training officials, managers and high-quality personnel through a range of practical cooperation programmes. These initiatives have not only delivered direct benefits, but also strengthened strategic connectivity and mutual understanding between the two countries, Cuong went on.

Political and foreign affairs ties between the two countries have also become increasingly close through regular high-level exchanges and close coordination at regional and international forums, particularly within ASEAN. Vietnam and Singapore share common interests in maintaining peace, stability, open trade, freedom of navigation and ASEAN centrality in the regional architecture, he emphasized.

Regarding Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s upcoming State visit to Singapore, the Deputy Minister said the trip is expected to further strengthen political trust and elevate strategic coordination between the two countries at a time of increasing regional and global uncertainty.

Both sides are also expected to promote stronger cooperation in investment, trade, finance and supply chain connectivity. He noted that Singapore’s strengths in technology, finance, logistics and modern governance complement Vietnam’s dynamic market, abundant workforce and rapid growth, creating significant room for joint development in the coming period.

Another major focus of the visit will be deepening cooperation in science and technology, innovation and digital transformation. The two countries are expected to expand cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, big data, semiconductor technology, smart cities, the digital economy, digital government and green transition, which Nguyen Manh Cuong described as strategically important to Vietnam’s long-term development.

The Deputy Minister also referred to technology and innovation connectivity initiatives such as “Tech Connect”, which are expected to create a new platform for cooperation among the State, scientists and businesses of the two countries. The initiatives aim to enhance links among management agencies, research institutes, universities, technology companies and innovation centres, helping create deeper technology cooperation in areas including artificial intelligence, semiconductors, big data, green technology and high-quality workforce training.

The visit is also expected to provide fresh impetus for next-generation VSIPs that are greener, smarter and more sustainable, in line with global development trends and the sustainable development goals of both countries, Cuong said.

Regarding Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s expected keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue during the visit, he noted that the Shangri-La Dialogue is the leading security forum in the Asia-Pacific region, organised annually in Singapore by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), bringing together leaders, defence ministers, scholars and strategic experts from around the world.

According to him, the invitation for Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to deliver the keynote address, the forum’s most important speech, indicates the international community’s recognition of Vietnam’s growing role, standing and prestige, as well as the role and reputation of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam. It also shows international interest in Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development.

Vietnam is increasingly seen as a deeply integrated economy that still maintains strategic autonomy, a dynamic developing country with strong aspirations for development, and an active and responsible member of the international and regional community.

The speech by the top Vietnamese leader will convey Vietnam’s views and messages on addressing current strategic challenges for peace, stability and sustainable development within the evolving regional architecture.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue will further affirm Vietnam’s growing role, standing and contributions to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world, the Deputy Minister stressed.

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.

Top Vietnamese leader’s Singapore visit to create fresh momentum for bilateral ties

The upcoming state visit to Singapore by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and his spouse will create fresh momentum for elevating Vietnam-Singapore ties following more than a year of enhanced cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.