Building a new generation strategic relationship between Vietnam and Singapore.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore, Tran Phuoc Anh, gave an interview to the press about the significance of the visit and the prospects for shaping the framework of bilateral cooperation into a new phase of development.

Reporter:Ambassador, what is the pivotal significance of Ms. Tran Cam Tu's visit to Singapore in shaping the framework for bilateral cooperation to enter a deeper and more comprehensive phase in the future?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc AnhThe visit is pivotal at the strategic, political, and substantive levels because:

The first,It opens up a new strategic exchange mechanism: the Party channel. This represents a shift from "good relations" to "strategic relations." The two sides can engage in direct and in-depth discussions on long-term issues: national development orientation, state building, economic development, social governance, personnel training, as well as regional and global changes.

MondayThe visit laid a crucial political foundation for concretizing the content of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). The CSP is only truly meaningful when translated into concrete cooperation programs. The first Strategic Dialogue will help both sides identify new areas of cooperation, going beyond traditional areas such as trade, investment, education, or defense and security. In particular, Singapore possesses many expertise that Vietnam is interested in, such as artificial intelligence (AI), the digital economy, innovation, urban governance, human resource development, logistics, finance, and international connectivity.

TuesdayThis presents an opportunity for both sides to move bilateral relations into substantive areas, aligning with Vietnam's development priorities. Singapore is strongly shifting towards an AI-based economy, innovation, and high-quality human resources, while Vietnam aims for high growth, promoting science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. Therefore, future Vietnam-Singapore cooperation could shift from "Singapore investing in Vietnam" to a deeper model: joint research, joint innovation, joint technology development, and joint participation in regional and global value chains.

I believe the greatest significance of the visit is the creation of a new "architecture" for Vietnam-Singapore relations. While previously relations were primarily fostered through government-to-government mechanisms and economic projects, now a multi-layered structure can be formed: Party-to-Party, State-to-State, Government-to-Government, Parliament-to-Parliament, local-to-local, and people-to-people, with the Strategic Dialogue playing a connecting role at the political-strategic level.

I believe the greatest significance of the visit is the creation of a new "architecture" for Vietnam-Singapore relations. While previously relations were primarily fostered through government-to-government mechanisms and economic projects, now a multi-layered structure can be formed: Party-to-Party, State-to-State, Government-to-Government, Parliament-to-Parliament, local-to-local, and people-to-people, with the Strategic Dialogue playing a connecting role at the political-strategic level.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh

It can be said that Comrade Tran Cam Tu's visit and the first Strategic Dialogue were not only an important diplomatic event, but also the starting point for the two countries to build a "new generation strategic relationship" - deeper politically, broader in cooperation, and more substantive in terms of interests.

Reporter:Ambassador, what strategic breakthroughs or bottlenecks are expected to be addressed through this dialogue mechanism regarding green economic cooperation, digital transformation, clean energy, innovation, or other key cooperation projects between the two countries?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc Anh:I expect the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue to be more than just a high-level policy exchange mechanism; it will truly become a new driving force to translate the two countries' major orientations into concrete, groundbreaking cooperation programs and projects that create lasting value. In the field of green economy and energy transition, Vietnam hopes to leverage Singapore's strengths in technology, green finance, governance, and international connectivity to jointly promote clean energy projects, carbon credits, and the circular economy. A strategically significant direction for cooperation is connecting Vietnam's energy production centers with Singapore's financial, technological, and market ecosystems, thereby creating scalable cooperation models in the region.

Digital transformation, AI, and innovation will be a crucial pillar. Singapore has extensive experience in building digital governments, data governance, AI, and innovation ecosystems; while Vietnam has a large market, a growing technology workforce, and a strong demand for digital transformation. I believe that the two sides can go beyond exchanging experiences to jointly developing solutions, innovation centers, human resource training programs, and AI, data, and digital technology projects to serve governance and businesses.

The greatest value of the Strategic Dialogue lies in helping Vietnam and Singapore jointly embrace new regional development trends, rather than merely addressing existing bilateral issues. With a foundation of comprehensive strategic partnership, high political trust, and significant complementarity between the two economies, the two countries can become leading partners in ASEAN in green economy, digital transformation, AI, clean energy, and innovation.

Reporter:In the context of ASEAN facing numerous geopolitical challenges and economic recovery, how, in the Ambassador's opinion, will this visit contribute specifically to strengthening internal solidarity and ASEAN's central role?

Ambassador Tran Phuoc AnhI believe that Comrade Tran Cam Tu's visit and the first-ever Strategic Dialogue between the two countries have significance beyond the framework of bilateral relations, as it is also a practical contribution to the solidarity, unity, and central role of ASEAN. Vietnam and Singapore share core interests in building a united, self-reliant, adaptable ASEAN that plays a proactive role in the regional structure. This dialogue creates another channel for the two sides to exchange views on strategic issues, narrow differences, enhance trust, and improve coordination within ASEAN. I believe that a strong ASEAN begins with trust and cooperation among its members. Vietnam and Singapore will continue to coordinate closely and contribute together to ensure ASEAN maintains its solidarity, promotes its central role, and is a reliable partner with a voice and the ability to shape the regional strategic environment.

Reporter:Thank you very much, Ambassador!