Vietnamese, Singaporean Prime Ministers hold phone talks

Prime Minister Pham took the occasion to express his gratitude to Wong for sending a congratulatory letter on the success of the 14th National Party Congress.  

He suggested the two countries expand bilateral cooperation, including upgrading of the Viet Nam–Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) to a second-generation model integrating industry with services, high technology and eco-urban development, and increasing the number of VSIPs to 30 in 2026 to mark 30 years since the first VSIP was launched in Viet Nam.

Pham welcomed the continued positive growth in bilateral trade in 2025, which increased by 12 percent compared to 2024. He suggested that Singapore further increase imports of Viet Nam's agricultural products and effectively implement the memorandum of understanding on rice trade to help ensure food security.

As Viet Nam is building international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, Pham sought Singapore's support on the basis of a substantive and mutually beneficial partnership that leverages each side's strengths and complementarities, contributing to resource mobilization and shared development within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Pham called on the two sides to strengthen cooperation in developing financial and banking infrastructure, particularly digital infrastructure, payment systems, cross-border payments, digital identification and cybersecurity. He encouraged Singaporean banks, investment funds and fintech companies to expand long-term investment in Viet Nam.

The Vietnamese Government chief also spoke highly of bilateral cooperation in clean energy. He suggested that both sides swiftly conduct surveys for Viet Nam's offshore wind power projects aimed at exporting electricity to Singapore, and coordinate to include the projects in the intergovernmental cooperation program, thereby helping to materialize the ASEAN Power Grid. The two sides also agreed to promote cooperation in carbon credit exchanges, further deepening the Viet Nam–Singapore Green Economy–Digital Economy Partnership.

Pham urged the two sides to spur cooperation in defense and security, as well as in combating transnational crimes, particularly drug trafficking, fraud, financial crime and cybercrime.

He also proposed that Singapore support Viet Nam in human resources development, especially in training strategic-level leaders; increase scholarships at all levels for Vietnamese students; enhance people-to-people exchanges; consider opening more direct flights from Singapore to major Vietnamese cities; and promote tourism.

Wong expressed his appreciation and extended Lunar New Year of the Horse greetings to Party General Secretary To Lam, other top Vietnamese leaders and the Vietnamese people. In response, Prime Minister Pham conveyed New Year greetings for happiness and prosperity from Party General Secretary To Lam and other Vietnamese leaders to the Singaporean side.

The Singaporean Prime Minister hailed Viet Nam's establishment of international financial centers affirming that "Singapore will remain a reliable partner in supporting Viet Nam's effective development of these centers".

He also agreed to deepen cooperation in clean energy and expand collaboration beyond trade to other important areas, including defense and security.

The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to close coordination and effective cooperation in 2027, when Viet Nam will host the APEC Year and Singapore will assume the ASEAN Chairmanship.

Wong expressed confidence in Viet Nam's strong growth potential and reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to expanding investment in the country, including increasing the number of VSIPs. 

The Singaporean leader stressed that Singapore will continue working closely with Viet Nam to advance the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a more substantive and effective manner./.