Viet Nam, Singapore share bright future

Ambassador Jaya Ratnam made the above the remarks during an interview with VGP on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day of Viet Nam (September 2).

Jaya Ratnam expressed his warmest congratulations to the people of Viet Nam on this joyous occasion.

"All around Ha Noi, and indeed across Viet Nam, we can see and sense the incredible pride that our Vietnamese friends are feeling ahead of the anniversary. Ha Noi is a sea of red," the Ambassador said.

The people of Viet Nam have much to be proud of. On September 2, they honor their illustrious past, having persevered against steep odds and achieved levels of socio-economic development that serve as an inspiration to many around the world. More importantly, even amid concerns over global and regional turbulence, Viet Nam looks ahead with confidence toward writing a new and bright chapter in its history. The nation's solidarity, resilience, and unity will ensure that the best is yet to come.

2025 – A Historic Milestone in Viet Nam–Singapore Relations

The Ambassador noted that Singapore–Viet Nam relations are at a historic high.

In 2025, both countries will celebrate milestone anniversaries — Singapore's 60th and Viet Nam's 80th years of independence. 

Reflecting long-standing confidence in Viet Nam's bright future, Singapore remains Viet Nam's top source of foreign investment. Over the same period, Viet Nam's exports to Singapore have grown significantly — Singapore is now Viet Nam's eighth-largest export market and sixth-largest source of travelers.

Singapore is proud to have Viet Nam as a close friend and trusted partner, especially as both countries face a future that may be turbulent and clouded by uncertainty. The open, rules-based multilateral system on which we depend for peace and prosperity is under severe strain. We see dangerous dynamics of nationalism and an upsurge in global conflict and violence. As open economies reliant on international trade and investment, these developments have deeply impacted both our countries — strengthening our resolve to support each other and emerge stronger.

To that end, our leaders — Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and General Secretary To Lam — decided to upgrade our relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) in March 2025. This is Singapore's first CSP with an ASEAN member state, reflecting the great importance we place on our partnership with Viet Nam, said the diplomat.

Under General Secretary Lam's leadership, Viet Nam is embarking on a "new era of ascendancy," with a focus on sustainable development, green growth, and digital transformation — all areas where our strengths complement each other. These priorities will be captured in the Plan of Action for the CSP, which our Prime Ministers hope to launch at their annual meeting in October 2025 on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summits. Among other objectives, the Plan of Action will strengthen collaboration in innovation, support Politburo Resolution 57 on science, technology, and digital transformation, and Resolution 68 on the role of the private sector in driving growth. This includes agreements on digital connectivity, cross-border data flows, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity.

Toward a bright future for Viet Nam–Singapore relations

The Ambassador affirmed that the future of Singapore–Viet Nam relations is bright and full of promise. The two countries face common challenges and share many opportunities to work together — from promoting mutual interests in a difficult global landscape to addressing domestic priorities, particularly the disruptions from rapid technological development, especially in AI.

"We still have much more to accomplish. The Viet Nam–Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) — which will celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2026 — remain the cornerstone of bilateral cooperation," said Ratnam. Since their inception, they have provided international-standard infrastructure for investors in Viet Nam. There are now 20 VSIPs across 13 provinces, with more on the way. Collectively, these parks have attracted over US$23 billion in investment from more than 1,000 tenant companies and created around 320,000 jobs.

Future VSIPs will be smarter and greener. During General Secretary To Lam's visit to Singapore, agreements were signed to develop technology-enabled green industrial parks, attracting investment in high-tech and advanced manufacturing. Supporting these objectives, Singapore's Agency for Science and Technology (A*STAR) and Viet Nam's National Innovation Centre are working together to help companies access advanced technologies, particularly through Singapore's Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre, to deepen industrial collaboration and help Viet Nam move up the value chain.

Beyond VSIPs, we are advancing a broader agenda for sustainable and resilient growth. We are progressing on a joint venture between PetroVietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) and Sembcorp Utilities to export low-carbon energy to Singapore, enabled by renewable energy projects and subsea cables. We are also finalizing an Implementation Agreement on Carbon Credit Collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Agreement. This will unlock additional climate mitigation activities and help both countries meet their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

Through these mutually beneficial collaborations, Singapore and Viet Nam can help lead broader regional initiatives like the ASEAN Power Grid, which will enhance the region's collective energy resilience. Singapore is also working on new initiatives to strengthen agricultural trade, particularly in poultry and rice, supporting food security.

Connectivity is another area of rapid growth. Singapore Airlines has expanded both flight frequency and destinations, now including Nha Trang and Phu Quoc, alongside regular services to Ha Noi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang.

Singapore is exploring ways to further integrate our supply chains with the global economy, such as expanding the Air Services Agreement and boosting Singaporean investment in Viet Nam's port infrastructure. Singapore is also enhancing digital connectivity, with an agreement to launch cross-border QR code payment services to facilitate tourism and everyday transactions between our two countries.

The two countries' people-to-people ties are the "super glue" that binds the relationship and gives real meaning to our cooperation. A steady flow of people travel between our countries for tourism, work, and education. Singapore is introducing new initiatives like the Innovation Talent Exchange (ITX) Program, allowing young Vietnamese professionals to take up innovation-related roles in Singapore, and vice versa, while also expanding educational ties.

"Singapore is committed to supporting Viet Nam's human resource development. Our training programs are evolving to reflect Viet Nam's priorities, such as digital transformation. Viet Nam is the most active participant in the Singapore Cooperation Program, with more than 22,000 officials having taken part — many through courses held in Ha Noi, at the Viet Nam–Singapore Cooperation Center. We plan to expand these offerings to Ho Chi Minh City and Hai Phong to broaden their impact," according to Ratnam.

The Ambassador expressed his confidencethat this relationship will continue to flourish, benefiting the people of both nations while contributing to the stability, peace, and prosperity of ASEAN. 

"Even as we expand our partnership into new areas such as renewable energy and digital connectivity, we do so not only to support our bilateral interests, but also to allow our cooperation to serve as a pathfinder for ASEAN integration", said Ratnam./.