General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm: Technology Cooperation Will Become a Key Pillar of Vietnam–Singapore Relations
Honored to Welcome General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm to the Forum.(Chinhphu.vn) – During his State Visit to the Republic of Singapore, General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm attended the Vietnam–Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum on May 29. The forum was held under the theme: “From Strategic Partnership to Next-Generation Industrial Platforms, Innovation and Sustainable Development.”
Photo: General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm, together with Mr. Tan See Leng (Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology under Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry), witnessed the signing ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between leading technology corporations, research institutes, and universities from Singapore and Vietnam on the afternoon of May 29, 2026. (Photo: TTXVN)
Also in attendance were senior officials, leaders of ministries and agencies from Vietnam and Singapore, as well as representatives from regulatory bodies, universities, research institutes, and businesses from both countries. Speaking at the forum, Minister of Science and Technology Vũ Hải Quân emphasized that Vietnam and Singapore have identified the promotion of science, technology, and innovation as a pillar of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This includes accelerating the implementation of a collaborative model connecting the Government, businesses, and researchers, while strengthening the linkage between research and practical application.
Minister Vũ Hải Quân expressed confidence that the forum would help strengthen connectivity between the innovation ecosystems of the two countries, particularly in strategic technology sectors; foster deeper cooperation among universities, research institutes, and enterprises; develop joint programs for high-quality human resource development to support the digital economy; and create favorable conditions for technology startups and innovation centers in both countries to connect, collaborate, and participate in global value chains.
Dr. Tan See Leng, Minister for Manpower and the minister overseeing energy and science and technology matters at Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry, stressed that the partnership between the two countries is built on a very strong foundation. However, to remain relevant and competitive, both sides must continue to evolve in line with the rapidly changing global environment. This presents an opportunity for the two countries to explore how they can go further and achieve even more together in science, technology, and innovation. Emphasizing that both countries are actively investing in their respective ecosystems, Dr. Tan See Leng identified several areas for potential cooperation, including advanced, smart, and sustainable manufacturing; startup ecosystems; and talent exchange.
Photo: General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm delivers remarks at the Vietnam–Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum. Photo: TTXVN
Speaking on the strategic direction for cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm emphasized that the world is entering a period of profound transformation, in which science, technology, and innovation are not only drivers of growth but are increasingly becoming decisive factors in national competitiveness and the position of economies within global value chains. Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, quantum technology, clean energy, and the digital economy are fundamentally reshaping production methods, business models, and the operation of the global economy. Countries that master strategic technologies will be best positioned to shape the future.
General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm noted that, for Vietnam, Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation has clearly identified science and technology as the central driving force for development. Vietnam is making concerted efforts to improve its institutional framework, develop high-quality human resources, foster the innovation ecosystem, and create favorable conditions for businesses to participate more deeply in digital transformation and technological development. Vietnam places particular importance on expanding international cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and human resource development. In today’s era, technological self-reliance does not mean isolation; rather, it must be built on a foundation of open cooperation, knowledge connectivity, and the joint development of technological capabilities.
Describing Singapore as one of Asia’s leading hubs for technology, innovation, and finance, and expressing admiration for the country’s long-term development vision, modern governance capabilities, and dynamic innovation ecosystem, General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm stated that the two economies possess clear strategic complementarities. Singapore has strengths in research and development (R&D), technology governance, finance, innovation, and startup ecosystems, while Vietnam offers a young workforce, a large market, a rapidly advancing digital transformation agenda, and growing demand for technology adoption and application.
Photo: General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm witnesses the launch ceremony of Vietjet Air’s new Nha Trang–Singapore route. Photo:TTXVN
Particularly within industrial parks, including the network of Vietnam–Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP), the growing demand for the application of technology in smart manufacturing, smart logistics, supply chain management, clean energy, and digital transformation is creating substantial opportunities for cooperation between enterprises from the two countries.
General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm stressed that the most important task at present is not merely to promote more networking activities, but to establish mechanisms that can transform connections into substantive cooperation and concrete projects. The spirit of the “Tech Connect” initiative should not be limited to serving as a forum for exchanges; rather, it should evolve into a new model of cooperation in which the Government acts as an enabler, scientists serve as pioneers, and businesses take the lead, jointly participating in research, development, and production. Building on the “Three Pillars” model within a single country—Government, researchers, and businesses—Vietnam and Singapore should gradually develop a “Three Pillars of Two Countries” model, thereby creating a cross-border cooperation network linking enterprises, universities, research institutes, and innovation centers in both nations.
General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm emphasized that the goal of the two countries is not merely to receive technology, but to jointly develop technological capabilities; not merely to engage in short-term cooperation, but to co-create new values capable of integrating deeply into regional and global value chains. Step by step, the two sides should work toward establishing a Vietnam–Singapore technology cooperation space, where knowledge, data, technology, and high-quality human resources are effectively connected to generate technology products and solutions with regional and international value.
Photo: Delegates attend the Vietnam–Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum. Photo:TTXVN
General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm expressed confidence that the two sides would move beyond the exchange of ideas and open up concrete avenues for cooperation among businesses, universities, research institutes, and technology partners from both countries. He emphasized the need to further promote collaborative projects in strategic fields such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technology, smart logistics, clean energy, cybersecurity, and innovation.
Both sides should strengthen linkages between businesses, research institutes, and universities; establish joint R&D centers and shared laboratories; develop high-quality technology talent exchange programs; and create mechanisms to support cross-border innovation, translating ideas into concrete technology projects at the implementation level.
General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm affirmed that, with the strong political foundation, strategic trust between the two countries, and their significant potential in science, technology, and human resources, Vietnam–Singapore technology cooperation will become an important pillar of bilateral relations in the years ahead.
On this occasion, General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm and senior leaders of the two countries witnessed the exchange of cooperation agreements between Vietnam and Singapore in a wide range of fields, including high technology; artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation; the semiconductor industry, energy, and supply chains; healthcare, biotechnology, and life sciences; innovation and startups; education, training, and human resource development; as well as digital finance, trade, and services.
According to TTXVN
Video: Honored to Welcome General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm to the Forum.
