Vietnam-Singapore relations reach new level

President Truong Tan Sang has successfully concluded his official visit to Singapore, his first foreign one as a State leader. He is also the first foreign leader having arrived in Singapore since Tony Tan Keng Yam was elected as Singaporean President.

Singapore is widely known for its wonderful success in building the country. From a poor fishing village in the early 20^th century as small as Vietnam’s Phu Quoc island and endowed with only seafood and deep-water ports, Singapore has emerged as a Dragon in Asia with GDP per capita of over US$38,000 in 2010.

During his two-day visit to Singapore, President Sang and his entourage enjoyed the warm feelings of Singaporean people, who wish to strengthen the friendship and mutual trust between the two countries.

At a grand banquet in the Istana Presidential Palace, President Tony Tan Keng Yam said he was really impressed by Vietnam’s developments since he last visited the country in 1996 as Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Defence.

For his part, President Sang recalled the experience in public management he had learnt from an exchange visit to Singapore in 1998.

Former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, who is the chief-architect of the modern Singapore, told President Sang that he considers himself as a friend of Vietnam. He discussed with Mr. Sang the prospect of economic development and other regional issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea situation.

During talks Mr. Sang and Singaporean leaders agreed that it is high time to raise Vietnam-Singapore relations to a higher level.

The Vietnamese State leader emphasised the need to build mutual political trust between the two countries into a firm foundation for developing their comprehensive cooperation in politics, economics, trade, culture, education, health care, defence, and security for mutual benefits.

He said Singapore is willing to share its experience with Vietnam in many fields. Both countries have agreed to tighten economic and trade ties.

Singaporean Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang, for his part, said Singapore has become the third biggest foreign investor in Vietnam with a total invesment of US$1.33 billion in 58 new projectsin the first eight months of 2011 .

He expressed hope that Singapore would make positive contributions to Vietnam’s economic growth.

Following the successful operation of four Vietnam-Singapore industrial zones in Binh Duong and Bac Ninh provinces and Hai Phong port City, the two sides have recently signed a memorandum of understanding on conducting a feasibility study into the construction of an urban-industrial complex in Quang Ngai province.

During Mr. Sang’s visit, the Straits Times, a famous Singaporean newspaper ran many articles on his activities in the country which were considered as a turning point in the Vietnam-Singapore relationship.

Vietnamese ambassador to Singapore Tran Hai Hau expressed his belief that there will be a new wave of investment from Singapore into Vietnam.

In honour of President Ho Chi Minh, a great foreign celebrity who had visited Singapore twice, the Singaporean National Heritage Board decided to set up a memorial table for the President in the famous Asian Civilisations Museum.