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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Southeast Asia

Vietnam

Singapore's diplomatic relationships and recent highlights with Vietnam.

Overview

Singapore and Vietnam share excellent bilateral relations, underpinned by the Strategic Partnership Agreement concluded in September 2013 during Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s official visit to Vietnam. Our economic ties are robust, with bilateral trade growing steadily over the last decade. Our strong economic cooperation is symbolised by the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs). The first VSIP in Binh Duong celebrates its 24th anniversary in 2020. The Connectivity Framework Agreement, in force since 23 January 2006, provides the overarching framework for bilateral economic cooperation across six sectors (education and training, finance, investments, information technology and telecommunications, trade and services, and transportation).

Vietnam is the top recipient country under the Singapore Cooperation Programme. As part of Singapore’s commitment to the Initiative for ASEAN Integration, the Vietnam-Singapore Training Centre was established in Hanoi in November 2001 to train Vietnam officials. To boost economic integration and the adoption of technology in the region, the Vietnam-Singapore Training Centre was upgraded to a Singapore Cooperation Centre in 2019.

Recent highlights

2020

  • Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Commission of Internal Affairs and Member of the CPV Central Committee Secretariat Phan Dinh Trac visited Singapore as the 13th S R Nathan Fellow.

2019

  • Then-Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean made an official visit to Vietnam in March. He met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh and other leaders in Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City. Then-DPM Teo also launched the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Centre, and the Singapore Festival in Hanoi.

  • Minister (Trade and Industry) co-chaired the 14th Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity Ministerial Meeting in Singapore, with Vietnam Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung.

  • Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan visited Singapore in July at the invitation of Minister (Foreign Affairs) Dr Vivian Balakrishnan.

  • Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Nguyen Thien Nhan visited Singapore as the 66th Lee Kuan Yew Exchange Fellow in August 2019.

  • Vietnam Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh made an official visit to Singapore in September 2019.

2018

  • Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made an official visit to Singapore in April to mark 45 years of diplomatic ties between Singapore and Vietnam.

  • Member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Phan Binh Minh, accompanied by his spouse Madam Nguyen Nguyet Nga, made an official visit to Singapore in July, where he was hosted to breakfast by Minister (Foreign Affairs) Dr Vivian Balakrishnan. The Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding on the principles for the operation of the Vietnam-Singapore Cooperation Centre.

  • Minister (Foreign Affairs) Dr Vivian Balakrishnan visited Hanoi in August to attend the third Indian Ocean Conference in his capacity as Co Vice-Chair of the Organising Committee.

  • Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong visited Hanoi in September for the 27th World Economic Forum on ASEAN.

  • Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, accompanied by his spouse Mdm Chew Poh Yim, represented Singapore at the state funeral for Vietnam President Tran Dai Quang in September in Hanoi.

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