HCMC – Vietnam and Singapore have upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, taking to 12 the number of countries with which Vietnam has formed such partnerships.
The 11 other countries that upgraded their ties with Vietnam to comprehensive strategic partnerships are China (2008), Russia (2012), India (2016), South Korea (2022), the United States (September 2023), Japan (November 2023), Australia (March 2024), France (October 2024), Malaysia (November 2024), New Zealand (February 2025), and Indonesia (March 2025).
The comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore marks a new milestone in five decades of their diplomatic ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong announced the comprehensive strategic partnership during their talks in Singapore today, March 12, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
The two leaders also discussed economic cooperation, investment, and regional security.
Wong emphasized the strong political and economic ties between the two countries and their shared strategic interests, while Lam highlighted Vietnam’s ongoing economic restructuring, digital transformation, and administrative reforms.
Both sides reviewed key achievements in bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. In 2024, two-way trade exceeded US$9 billion, reflecting the robust economic ties between the two nations.
Singapore remains Vietnam’s second-largest foreign investor, with cumulative investments surpassing US$80 billion.
The Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP), which now number more than a dozen and are located across Vietnam, are seen as a prime example of successful bilateral collaboration.
Beyond trade and investment, both leaders acknowledged progress in defense and security cooperation, education and training, science and technology, tourism, labor exchange, and cultural ties.
As for the comprehensive strategic partnership, Prime Minister Wong noted that this marks Singapore’s first such partnership with an ASEAN country, underscoring its significance.
As part of this expanded framework, Lam proposed expanding the VSIP network with a focus on innovation and low-carbon development. He also called for deeper cooperation in digital transformation and emerging technologies.
Wong expressed interest in strengthening maritime infrastructure cooperation through digitalization and reaffirmed Singapore’s commitment to supporting Vietnam’s human resource development. He highlighted plans to increase educational exchanges, including sending Singaporean students to Vietnam, and to foster greater cultural, sports, and youth exchanges to enhance mutual understanding.
Following their discussions, the two leaders witnessed the signing of several agreements covering offshore wind energy, digital transformation, transnational crime prevention, and financial innovation. These agreements provide a foundation for advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership.
On March 10, Vietnam elevated its ties with Indonesia to a comprehensive strategic partnership following talks between Lam and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto.
Just two weeks earlier, on February 26, Vietnam upgraded its relationship with New Zealand to the same level after successful bilateral discussions between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his New Zealand counterpart Christopher Luxon.
