Vietnam, Singapore intensify leader training 

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and Singapore once again put strategic leader training among the main fields of the relations, which has been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in mid-March, with the latter continuing to train senior Vietnamese officials. 

The news was included at the meeting between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Hanoi on March 26 during his two-day official visit to Vietnam.

Over the past three decades, Singapore has trained over 22,000 Vietnamese government officials under the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), primarily through the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) introduced in 2000 to bridge regional development gaps and specialized IAI "Practical English" courses, reinforcing bilateral cooperation and capacity-building.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese community in Singapore amounts to 20,000.

At the meeting, the two leaders pledged to explore the establishment of a regular exchange mechanism to enhance mutual understanding.

They also pledged to share experiences in national development. Both leaders agreed to sign the Vietnam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership Action Plan for 2025-2030 soon.

General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong emphasized the importance of consultation and coordination at regional and international forums, particularly within ASEAN and APEC.

During the meeting, General Secretary To Lam highlighted the six key pillars of cooperation under the Vietnam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He welcomed Singapore's proposals to jointly work on green energy and regional electricity trade and to upgrade Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks to be greener, smarter, and better connected.

Lam also appreciated Singapore's approval of Vietnamese agricultural and livestock products. He said the two countries have great potential for cooperation in food security.

The Secretary-General emphasized that the visit of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong was highly significant as it came on the heels of the two countries upgrading their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

He acknowledged the significant agreements reached during Vietnam's recent high-level visit to Singapore, noting that additional cooperation agreements were signed just two weeks after the visit.

"Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's visit reflects the active spirit of both nations in implementing and defining future directions of bilateral cooperation," To Lam said.

He added that the visit also marks the beginning of a new phase of cooperation and demonstrates the increasingly close, trusting, and effective relationship between Vietnam and Singapore.

"Vietnam values Singapore not only as a fellow ASEAN member, but also as a key partner and companion in Vietnam's development and international integration," said Lam.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong pledged to support the effective implementation of existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms and the establishment of new ones in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Emphasizing economic cooperation, labor exchanges, and people-to-people ties, Wong assured to work with Vietnam to implement the agreements practically and effectively to benefit the two countries and set an example for ASEAN cooperation.

Wong reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to upholding a regional and international order based on international law, strengthening ASEAN unity, and maintaining ASEAN's pivotal role in the region.

On the same day, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong also met with President Luong Cuong and Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man.