Youth – most important resource of Vietnam-Singapore: Lee Hsien Loong

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the youth of the countries are one of the most important resources because the future depends on them.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Vietnam–Singapore Youth Leaders Exchange Program 2023 held in Hanoi on August 29. Photos: VNU

PM Lee shared the view at the Vietnam–Singapore Youth Leaders Exchange Program 2023 in Hanoi on August 29.

“It’s in your hand. It’s up to you and what you want to make. We wish you all the best, and we will give you every help to make you succeed,” PM Lee said in a statement.

For that reason, Vietnam and Singapore renewed an MoU on youth cooperation during the visit to Singapore by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in February 2023, during which the two countries launched the Vietnam–Singapore Youth Leaders Exchange Program 2023.

He argued that both countries are developing and changing. He said they see opportunities in their own economies, in ASEAN, and in partners with which Singapore and Vietnam can work together.  

“I expect a like-minded society that is serious about economic growth and transformation and is investing in its people, and that wants to make the future better for its own population,” PM Lee said.

The two countries can work together on this goal and that for the young people."

He also highlighted the importance of regional connectivity, saying that the context where they live and what’s happening around them in other ASEAN countries affect them and open up opportunities for them.

"The more they understand people in other countries, the more they can make friends with others, and the better they are making their way forward and prospering together with their friends all over the region," Lee said.

For such reasons, the opportunities between Singapore and Vietnam are considerable.

A university student shares her opinion with the two prime ministers at the meeting.

In short, he stressed the importance of the Singapore-Vietnam youth leaders exchanges. “We can develop friendship amongst the next generation of young leaders in Vietnam and Singapore so that you can come up with your ideas, find your opportunities and partners, and realize your dreams,” PM Lee affirmed.

“One day, you will be able to take another step forward,” the PM stressed.

On the same day, PM Lee also delivered a speech at Vietnam National University (VNU) – Hanoi, where he saw how Vietnam has grown and changed and is full of energy.

He said young people in Vietnam work very hard and want to get ahead in society, improve their lives, and take the country forward.

The Singaporean Prime Minister advised Vietnamese students to "never stop learning" and to do well in school when asked what young people should learn and practice to be prepared for the demands of the artificial intelligence (AI) age.

He advised students to master their areas of expertise because science, artificial intelligence, and information technology are constantly evolving. Education alone is not sufficient to prepare one for life.

In his sharing with students, PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the role of students and young people in the country’s development. He said: “Resource comes from thinking, motivation comes from changing while culture fosters creativity and innovation, and people are our greatest source of strength.”

Two prime ministers and their spouses posed with VNU students.

Sharing common goal and making progress together

Regarding the Vietnam-Singapore relations, he said there is a lot of substance in the relationship as he thinks both Singapore and Vietnam “treat problems seriously and practically, analyze them logically.”

They discuss their possibilities to work together in what they agree and disagree with, what they can do more, and how they can overcome the areas where they have different points of view, and therefore, they make a lot of progress and the work “never stops.”

It’s important that the two countries can support and learn from each other. “Each time we meet, we find new areas for cooperating,” PM Lee said in his talks with VNU students in the attendance of PM Chinh, Vietnamese Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son, and President of VNU Prof. Le Quan.

The new areas of cooperation are digital economy, green economy, renewable energy, and common credits, which PM Lee called “good areas for potential cooperation” and affirmed that they would follow them up.

On this occasion, Vietnam National University – Hanoi and Vietnam National University – Ho Chi Minh City (VNU-HCMC) inked a number of agreements in research and exchange of officials, lecturers, and students with Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.

The new partnerships focus on joint research in sustainable development, climate change, and air traffic management. The collaborations will enable faculty and students to learn from each other through exchange programs and to share and exchange best practices in research areas of joint interest.

Interestingly, PM Lee Hsien Loong, PM Pham Minh Chinh, and their spouses enjoyed lunch with VNU students. The two prime ministers dined on typical Vietnamese food namely banh cuon cha or steamed rice rolls stuffed with Vietnamese pork sausage, bun thang or a colorful combo of noodle soup with chicken, pork, and egg, Hanoi spring rolls, and young sticky rice.

Bun thang or a colorful combo of noodle soup with chicken, pork, and egg served at lunch.