PM Chinh had a phone conversation on May 29 in Hanoi with his Singaporean counterpart PM Wong on the occasion of his taking over as the fourth Prime Minister of Singapore.

During the course of the phone call, PM Chinh warmly congratulated PM Wong on becoming the fourth Prime Minister of Singapore.

The two PMs expressed their joy at witnessing the unprecedented and comprehensive development of joint ties in all aspects, especially in economics, including the network of Vietnam - Singapore industrial parks (VSIP) which is considered a symbol of successful economic co-operation.

Singapore represents the first country in Vietnam to establish the Green Economy - Digital Economy Partnership in February, 2023, with the two countries agreeing to bring relations to new heights in the near future.

PM Chinh went on to affirm that for the Vietnamese side, Singapore is always an important partner in the region, as well as in the world as a whole.

The Vietnamese Government will continue to closely co-ordinate with the Government of Singapore to make the strategic partnership between the two sides increasingly strong, substantive, and effective in a manner worthy of being a typical example of dynamic relations in ASEAN and a model to promote other intra-bloc cooperation mechanisms.

The nation is highly interested in replicating the VSIP model and will work to create favourable conditions for more new generation VSIPs to operate effectively in the nation.

The Vietnamese Government chief went on to thank the Singapore Government for always paying attention to training officials at all levels for Vietnam and suggested that the two sides augment defence and security links, including building the National Data Center. This should be done whilst promoting financial co-operation, education, training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges to improve common understanding between the two.

The Singaporean PM stated that he will continue to intensify the exchange of delegations and high-level contacts at all levels, as well as bilateral co-operation mechanisms, especially annual meetings between both PMs in a bid to strengthen friendship and political trust.

Singapore keenly desires to work with Vietnam to effectively implement the Framework Agreement on Connecting the Two Economies and Vietnam-Singapore Green Economy - Digital Economy Relations, especially in the fields of clean energy and carbon credits. This will serve to create a premise to bring joint co-operation to a new level, both comprehensive and strategic.

Regarding specific issues, PM Wong highlighted the VSIP network as a beacon in bilateral economic ties, agreeing to promote new generation VSIPs in a greener and more suitable for development trends and priorities of Vietnam.

He also affirmed that he will ask the Ministers in the Cabinet to continue to pay attention and encourage businesses as they seek to expand new investments in Vietnam associated with improving the quality of FDI capital flows, prioritising the fields high technology. This will be done alongside promoting the digital economy, circular economy, clean energy, semiconductors, and artificial intelligence (AI).

On regional issues, the two sides consented to reinforce ASEAN solidarity, support Laos in successfully assuming the role of ASEAN Chair in 2024, and pay due attention to the sustainable development of sub-regions in the region, including the Mekong sub-region. These efforts will serve to actively boost ASEAN's self-reliance, prosperity and sustainable development, along with promoting the regional bloc’s centrality.

On this occasion, PM Chinh respectfully invited the Singaporean PM and his wife to pay an official visit to Vietnam soon, with the invitation being accepted with pleasure.