Vietnam and Singapore reached a consensus on forming deeper partnerships in various fields such as education, culture, tourism, and digital and green economy, heard the 16th Vietnam-Singapore political consultation co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Albert Chua in the city-state on Wednesday.

The two officials both agreed to closely collaborate on the implementation of all agreements made by the two nations and prepare for high-level exchanges, especially an annual meeting between the two countries' prime ministers.

To enhance the connection between the two economies and push their ties to new heights, the two nations will strengthen their cooperation in education, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two sides were determined to join hands to quicken the deployment of the green economy - digital economy partnership and a framework convention on the connectivity between the two economies to create breakthroughs in new fields such as circular economy, digitalization, innovation, green energy, and sustainability.

The economic partnership remains a highlight of bilateral ties between Vietnam and Singapore.

Singapore is Vietnam’s second-largest investor, being involved in over 3,740 projects in the latter with a total pledged capital of over US$80 billion contributed by 18 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) in 13 cities and provinces in Vietnam.

Apart from expressing his hope for more new-generation smart and green VSIPs in Vietnam, Deputy Minister Viet proposed Singapore continue supporting the latter to upskill its workforce and increase the number of scholarships awarded to Vietnamese students.

The top Vietnamese official also hinted at the city-state training workers active in digitalization and cybersecurity, data transfer, and artificial intelligence, and helping Vietnam build a model of an innovation center for national data science.

The Singaporean representative shared expectations that the two nations will continue to enhance cooperation in clean energy, including wind power, and heighten discussions about carbon credits.

Expressing his delight at seeing Vietnam become Singapore’s biggest rice supplier in the first half of 2024, Permanent Secretary Chua proposed the two sides boost partnership in farm produce export and import activities to ensure food security.

The top Singaporean official also suggested increasing air connectivity between the two countries to boost economic, trade, and tourism cooperation. He affirmed that Singapore will expand its management training programs for Vietnam.

In addition, the two nations agreed to closely collaborate with other ASEAN members in efforts to build the ASEAN Community Vision 2045 and promote ASEAN’s role in the region and the world.

Both sides exchanged views on the situation in the East Vietnam Sea, expressing their commitment to maintaining it as a peaceful, cooperative, and developed region.

They insisted on adhering to the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Vietnam Sea and intensifying efforts to finalize a Code of Conduct in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Vietnamese official proposed that Singapore support the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 in Vietnam and send high-level representatives to exchange initiatives and perspectives on regional development.

As part of his working trip to Singapore, Deputy Minister Viet met with Singapore Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.

During their meeting, Balakrishnan expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s fast economic growth.

He proposed the two ministries closely cooperate with relevant ministries and agencies to make the multifaceted partnership stronger and take the bilateral ties to a new height.

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