Mr Manh highlighted the experience and contribution made by Mr Lee, now Singapore’s Minister Mentor, to strengthening the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore over the past years. He congratulated the Singaporean government on its achievements in leading a highly developed country.

Meanwhile, Mr Lee said he believes that the Vietnamese economy will grow at a high and sustainable rate when the country promotes the implementation of socio-economic policies and administrative reform. He said Singapore wants to expand cooperation and share development experience with Vietnam, particularly in investment, trade and personnel training. 

At another reception the same day, State President Nguyen Minh Triet reiterated Vietnam’s policy of bringing into full play its internal strength to increase international integration and cooperation.

He said the legal system, policies and the “one-stop shop” mechanism are being finalised to create a more favourable investment environment.

Sharing Singapore’s development experience, Mr Lee said the most important task is to draw up a development master plan and quickly implement it. The State needs to have consistent policies to ensure stable and constant development, streamline administrative procedures to attract foreign investment and balance growth between urban and rural areas.  

Minister Mentor Lee also raised the issue of training a skilled workforce capable of catching up with scientific and technological advances in the world.

Mr Lee began a five-day visit to Vietnam on January 16.