A timeless inspiration
From a modest-sized country with limited natural resources, Singapore has risen to become one of the world's leading financial, technological and educational centres, a model of prosperous and sustainable development that many countries admire.
In particular, Singapore has taken the lead in building knowledge infrastructure with prestigious universities and research institutes, playing a leading role in the regional innovation ecosystem. The world recognises Singapore as one of the leading countries in digital transformation and building a smart nation.
Cooperation in education and human resource training is a bright spot in the Vietnam-Singapore bilateral relationship. According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh, there are currently over 25,000 Vietnamese people living, studying and working in the area.
The Marina Bay Financial Centre, Singapore Seaport, smart urban system, and advanced underground space are international symbols demonstrating Singapore's remarkable economic development, while also showing a long-term vision for governance, science, technology and sustainable development.
When visiting the National University of Singapore with the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation, General Secretary To Lam sincerely expressed: “What we admire is not only the brilliant achievements, but also the strategic thinking and flexible adaptability of Singapore to global challenges.”
Singapore has set ambitious goals such as becoming a leading country in artificial intelligence, digital finance and green development, and pioneering in building a digital economy, digital government and smart cities. That journey not only reflects the mettle and will of the Singaporean people but is also a strong source of inspiration for many countries in the region, including Vietnam.
Singapore has a dynamic startup ecosystem, advanced technology research centres and a stable legal environment, creating a foundation for the development of many breakthrough technology initiatives. Vietnam has a young, enthusiastic workforce; the domestic market is exploding with demand for digitalisation and improved public services.
This cooperation opens opportunities for technology exchange, experience transfer, and at the same time promotes the implementation of pilot projects in digital transformation (specifically in areas such as Fintech, smart cities, digital healthcare, online education).
The two countries can exploit and complement each other's strengths, together creating a sustainable innovation ecosystem, creating breakthrough values, contributing to enhancing competitiveness and economic development in the context of regional and global integration.
Cooperation in education and human resource training is a bright spot in the Vietnam-Singapore bilateral relationship. According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh, there are currently over 25,000 Vietnamese people living, studying and working in the area.
The force of Vietnamese experts, intellectuals and businessmen in the area is growing strongly, increasingly affirming their position in the local society. There are many Vietnamese professors and doctors working, teaching and researching at leading universities and research institutes in Singapore such as the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR).
Professor Tan Eng Chye, President of the National University of Singapore, said that the school has cooperated with many universities around the world, including Vietnam, in areas such as improving the leadership capacity of staff and supporting start-up businesses to seize opportunities.
In a concert celebrating the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Singapore at the National University of Singapore (NUS)’s Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (YST), Professor Peter Tornquist, Dean of the YST, shared: “The history of the Conservatory of Music has the mark of Vietnamese musicians who took their first steps in their careers here and started their professional careers right on this stage. They are the pride of the Conservatory of Music. The Conservatory welcomes talents to Singapore, ready to connect them with a global network of partners, educators, and touring artists; ready to support the development of the Vietnamese music ecosystem.”
In the joint statement, Vietnam and Singapore agreed to strengthen cooperation in talent development, especially strategic-level officials; exchange experts and students, including cooperation between schools and higher education institutions in areas of mutual interest; enhance technical and vocational training, implement the Singapore-Vietnam Innovation Talent Exchange Programme; promote cooperation in the fields of culture, arts and sports; and promote the number of tourists and further enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
The inspiration for connection and cooperation comes from both sides due to mutual admiration and support for development goals, promising a deep, comprehensive and effective cooperation in the future.
Pioneer in science and technology cooperation
According to Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong, Singapore is Vietnam's largest investor in ASEAN and the second largest in the world. One of the symbols of successful economic cooperation is the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP).
VSIPs in many provinces and cities in the country have created jobs for hundreds of thousands of workers. Vietnam has 153 investment projects in Singapore, with a total registered capital of more than 690 million USD. Bilateral trade turnover in 2024 is estimated at 10.3 billion USD. In particular, the Green - Digital Economic Partnership is opening many new prospects for bilateral cooperation in key and potential areas such as digital transformation, clean energy, carbon credit exchange, cyber security, and emerging technologies.
The upgrading of the relationship between the two countries to a comprehensive strategic partnership is a special milestone because Vietnam is the first country in ASEAN with which Singapore has established such a partnership. In the joint statement, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the digital and emerging technology fields, which are Singapore's strengths, and which Vietnam hopes to exchange and learn from.
Although it has achieved a number of important achievements in science and technology, Vietnam is facing challenges from the increasingly fierce global technological revolution.
The Party and the State are taking a comprehensive look at and assessing the shortcomings and limitations to have strong, strategic and revolutionary policies and decisions, creating new impetus and breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, especially innovating the governance model to bring the country to develop strongly in the new era.
General Secretary To Lam, in many meetings with ministries, branches and localities, emphasised that this is the "golden key" to help the country overcome the middle-income trap, avoid the risk of falling behind and catch up with the times.
The Politburo issued Resolution No. 57 on developing science, technology and innovation to 2030, with a vision to 2045, to promote the spirit of action of the entire political system and society. Developing science, technology, innovation and digital transformation is not an arbitrary choice, but has been affirmed as a vital path to realising the nation's aspirations.
During the reception for Teo Chee Hean, Singaporean Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, General Secretary To Lam highly appreciated the vision of Singaporean leaders and their impressive achievements in science and technology development, digital transformation, building a smart nation, turning the country into a leading science and technology, education and training centre in the region and the world.
The General Secretary asked Singapore to share with Vietnam its experience in smart urban management, advanced technology, supporting startups and connecting Vietnamese enterprises with regional and global markets.
During his meeting with Singaporean President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, General Secretary To Lam discussed major directions and specific measures to implement the newly established comprehensive strategic partnership, including making the two countries pioneering partners in the region in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation and energy, data connectivity, semiconductor chip production, new technology, and artificial intelligence.
President Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that the two countries have opened a new chapter in bilateral relations, creating new energy sources for the people and businesses of the two countries.
In the current development trend, Vietnam and Singapore have many similarities, can complement each other, cooperate for mutual benefit and create breakthrough values. Singapore has strengths in advanced technology, management experience and investment capital. Meanwhile, Vietnam has advantages in abundant human resources, a large market and great development potential.
Speaking on Vietnam's Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation Policy at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, General Secretary To Lam outlined Vietnam's strategic vision for science and technology development and Vietnam's philosophy of cooperation and development in the digital age.
General Secretary To Lam shared that the late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew once told Singaporean university students that what Singapore has achieved is the result of the country pioneering and maximising the opportunities brought about by changes in technology and global production models.
This reflects Singapore's philosophy of continuous innovation under the leadership of the People's Action Party (PAP) over the past 60 years. Despite having few natural resources, Singapore has found its own development path through science, technology and innovation. This is also the path that Vietnam is determined to take to bring the country to strong development in the new era.
