In celebration of Singapore’s 60th National Day, Vietnam and Singapore reaffirm their strong diplomatic and economic ties by elevating relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025.
SINGAPORE – As part of IN Diplomacy’s Singapore National Day Edition Feature, the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Singapore takes a significant leap forward with the official launch of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) this year. The upgrade comes as Singapore marks its 60th National Day and Vietnam approaches its 80th year of independence, highlighting a timely convergence of historical milestones and future-oriented collaboration.
The two nations established diplomatic relations in 1973, and over the last five decades have developed one of the region’s most robust bilateral partnerships. Political trust is reinforced through frequent high-level engagements. In recent years, Vietnamese leaders such as Secretary General Tô Lâm and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính have expressed Singapore’s strategic value, while President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong have underscored Vietnam’s central role in Singapore’s regional engagement. Notably, in December 2024, National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn’s official visit to Singapore further solidified parliamentary cooperation and policy alignment.
Economically, Singapore has maintained its position as Vietnam’s top foreign investor, with registered capital exceeding US$80 billion in 2024. Key to this success are the Vietnam–Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs), now spanning 13 provinces and contributing significantly to employment, technology transfer, and sustainable development. Bilateral trade also surpassed US$23 billion in 2024, driven by strong synergies in manufacturing, logistics, and services.
Looking ahead, the CSP prioritises collaboration in emerging sectors such as the digital economy, with both nations actively pursuing initiatives in AI, fintech, smart cities, and data governance. Environmental sustainability is another key pillar, with joint ventures in carbon credit trading, green finance, and renewable energy. Continued cooperation in education, technical assistance, and human capital development is expected to drive inclusive growth.
On the defence front, security ties are expanding through regular bilateral dialogues, joint training, and naval cooperation, reinforcing both countries’ shared vision of a stable, rules-based Indo-Pacific. At the societal level, deepening people-to-people exchanges through tourism, education, and cultural diplomacy highlight the strength of their growing connection.
As they celebrate parallel milestones, Vietnam and Singapore’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership sets a model for ASEAN cooperation, grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and regional aspirations. It exemplifies a modern alliance that is both resilient and adaptable—key traits in navigating today’s complex global challenges.
