Identifying future trajectory for Viet Nam-Singapore relations

Prime Minister Wong is making his first official visit as Prime Minister to Viet Nam from March 25-26 at invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh, said the diplomat.  

General Secretary To Lam similarly made his first official visit to Singapore less than two weeks ago, the first such visit by a General Secretary to Singapore since 2012. Both General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Wong also elevated our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

This is Singapore's first CSP with an ASEAN country, and only one of three we have with other partners. The relationship is at a historic high. We have in a space of two weeks exchanged visits at the highest levels and elevated our relationship to highest level. "But we are not content and are determined to push ahead," he told the press.

Strong momentum to take the relationship to a new era

Ambassador Jaya Ratnam stressed that Prime Minister Wong's visit so soon after the General Secretary's visit reflect the importance we place on the relationship and urgency to build on strong momentum to take the relationship to a New Era.

"We are a momentous juncture for our bilateral relationship and for the world around us," the diplomat said.

Both Singapore and Viet Nam commemorate so many important milestones in 2025. Specifically, Singapore celebrates the 60th National Day and 10th anniversary of the passing of founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. The excellent relations between Viet Nam and Singapore underpinned by political trust, stems from the foundation set by late Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew and late Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet during Viet Nam's economic opening. Their legacy continues to guide our countries. Meanwhile, Viet Nam commemorates the 95th Anniversary of founding of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, the 80th National Day, the 50th anniversary of reunification and 30 years of joining ASEAN, which paved the way for Viet Nam's remarkable progress over the past decades.

Viet Nam is embarking on the 'Era of Nation's Rise.' The country is on the verge of a major economic take-off driven by industrial upgrading, digital transformation, green growth, and deeper regional and global integration.

"The two countries marked all these major bilateral milestones as the world around us has grown far more uncertain and unpredictable," Jaya Ratnam said.

The open rules based multilateral system on which Singapore and Viet Nam, and indeed all of us in ASEAN, depend on for our peace and prosperity is under severe stress. Both Viet Nam and Singapore share a similar strategic outlook. We are strong supporters of multilateralism and international law. We are also active players in supporting free trade. Both our countries have an existential stake in the continued cohesion and success of Southeast Asia. We are work with each other to uphold ASEAN Centrality and deepen regional economic integration.

Packed and intense program

Ambassador Jaya Ratnam revealed that during the trip, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will have a very packed and intense program, focussing on substantive discussions with his Vietnamese counterparts, following up on his discussions with General Secretary To Lam, as well as Prime Minister Pham.

Although this is Prime Minister Wong's first official visit to Viet Nam as Prime Minister, he has been regularly engaging with Prime Minister Pham in recent months.

In fact, Prime Minister Wong and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham last year inaugurated the first annual meeting of our Prime Ministers – which took place at sideliners of ASEAN Summit in Laos in 2024.

The major takeaway from General Secretary To Lam's visit to Singapore was the reaffirmation of the collective commitment doubled down on the bilateral cooperation.

Prime Minister Wong's schedule here in Ha Noi reflects that agenda - how Singapore and Viet Nam can tighten our bonds of friendship so we weather the storm together, build up our resilience and so we can emerge even stronger from current global strains.

The Singaporean Prime Minister will lead the delegation to pay the respects at the Martyrs Monument and HCM Monument. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will host an official welcome dinner. Both Prime Ministers will have a bilateral meeting to review progress in our bilateral relationship, especially how the expedite implementation of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. There will also be a special event involving VSIPs, especially looking at how VSIP can be positioned to support Viet Nam's aspirations for New Era.

Prime Minister Wong is also looking forward to his meetings with other top Vietnamese leaders, including President and Chairman of National Assembly, as well as continuing his discussions with General Secretary To Lam.

Strong and expanding economic connections

For the past three years, Singapore has been Viet Nam's largest source of foreign investment. Since 2024, Singapore became Viet Nam's second-largest source of FDI with cumulative investments exceeding US$81 billion across approximately 3,800 projects. Viet Nam was Singapore's 11th largest trading partner for 2024, and in January 2025, Viet Nam was Singapore's 9th largest trading partner highlighting the strong dynamism in our relations.

As Viet Nam enters New Era of high economic growth, Singapore's engagement will increase. Singapore has been a long-term partner of Viet Nam – the Viet Nam Singapore Industrial Parks celebrate its 30th Anniversary in 2026. VSIP have almost doubled since 2022 – in just three years nine new VSIPs have been launched since then - reflecting Vietnam's strong growth. The VSIPs have now grown to 20 industrial parks across northern, central, and southern Viet Nam. The eleven VSIPs which are operational have attracted more than US$22 billion in investments and created 300,000 jobs in Viet Nam. When the remain VSIPs come online, we will see these numbers expand exponentially. And as testament to Vietnam's attractiveness as an investment destination – more VSIPs are planned.

Beyond expanding in number, the VSIPs will be upgraded to reflect Viet Nam's own development aspirations, by focusing on sustainability and innovation to attract more high- tech FDI inflows and better jobs for a more skilled workforce.

Future trajectory of relations

The Ambassador said that "The future of the bilateral relationship is very bright – we share a common challenge and are committed to working with each other to support each other. The glue that holds our relationship together is our ever-growing people -to-people ties". 

Singapore has been and remains a strong supporter of Viet Nam's human resource development. Under the Singapore Cooperation Programme, Singapore has trained more than 22,000 Vietnamese government officials. Over past two years, we have expanded the scope and scale of such collaborations, especially through launch of Singapore Viet Nam Innovation Talent Exchange and extending bilateral customised capacity building programme to provinces.

During the General Secretary To Lam's privious visit, the two sides steped up the Singapore training programmes with a MoU signed between the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) and Ho Chi Minh Academy (HCMA) to expand training of senior party cadres and officials.

As more Vietnamese work, visit or study in Singapore, and Singaporeans do the same in Viet Nam – these networks of friendships are poised to grow even stronger, which will support our expanding bilateral relations, Ambassador Jaya Ratnam finalized./.