At the Vietnam–Singapore Tech Connect Forum held on May 29 as part his state visit to Singapore, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam stressed that Vietnam attaches great importance to expanding international cooperation in science-technology, innovation and human resources development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central
Committee and President of Vietnam To Lam attended the Vietnam–Singapore Tech
Connect Forum, held in Singapore on May 29 as part of his state visit to the
country.

The event brought together senior officials, representatives
of ministries and sectors, universities, research institutes and businesses
from both countries.

The top leader of Vietnam was quoted by the Vietnam News
Agency as stating at the forum that technology cooperation is set to become a
major pillar of relations between Vietnam and Singapore in the coming period.

The leader noted that the world is entering a period of
profound transformation in which science, technology and innovation are
becoming decisive factors shaping national competitiveness and economic
standing in global value chains.

Artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, big data,
biotechnology, quantum technology, clean energy and the digital economy are
fundamentally reshaping production methods, business models and the global
economy, he said, adding that countries mastering strategic technologies will
be well positioned to lead the future.

Party General Secretary and State President Lam noted that
Politburo Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science-technology, innovation
and national digital transformation identifies science and technology as the
central driver of development.

Vietnam, he said, is striving to improve institutions,
develop high-quality human resources, foster innovation ecosystems and create favorable
conditions for businesses to engage more deeply in digital transformation and
technological development.

He stressed that Vietnam attaches great importance to
expanding international cooperation in science-technology, innovation and human
resources development, noting that technological self-reliance should be built
on open cooperation, knowledge connectivity and joint capacity development
rather than isolation.

Describing Singapore as one of Asia’s leading centers for
technology, innovation and finance, the leader said the two economies possess
clear strategic complementarities.

Singapore has strengths in research and development
(RD), technology governance, finance, innovation and startup ecosystems,
while Vietnam offers a young workforce, a large market, rapid digital
transformation and rising demand for technological applications, he said.

The Party and State leader pointed to growing opportunities
for cooperation in smart manufacturing, smart logistics, supply chain
management, clean energy and digital transformation, particularly within
industrial parks, including the Vietnam–Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP)
system.

He emphasized that the priority now is not merely expanding
exchanges but establishing mechanisms capable of turning connectivity into
substantive cooperation and concrete projects.

He said the spirit of “Tech Connect” should go beyond a
networking forum towards a new cooperation model in which governments
facilitate, scientists pioneer and businesses lead joint research, development
and production efforts.

From the “three-party model” within a single country, the
two sides should move towards a “three-party model between two countries”,
thereby building cross-border cooperation networks among enterprises,
universities, research institutes and innovation centers of Vietnam and
Singapore, he added. General Secretary and State President Lam stressed that
the ultimate goal is not simply technology transfer, but joint development of
technological capabilities and the creation of new values capable of
integrating deeply into regional and global value chains.

He proposed stronger cooperation in strategic sectors such
as AI, semiconductors, digital technology, smart logistics, clean energy,
cybersecurity and innovation, alongside enhanced connectivity among
enterprises, universities and research institutes through joint RD centers,
shared laboratories, high-quality technology workforce exchange programs and
cross-border innovation support mechanisms.

He expressed confidence that with strong political ties,
strategic trust and vast potential in science-technology and human resources,
Vietnam–Singapore technology cooperation will emerge as a key pillar of
bilateral relations in the years ahead.

Speaking at the forum, Vietnamese Minister of Science and
Technology Vu Hai Quan said that Vietnam and Singapore have identified
science-technology and innovation cooperation as a pillar of their
Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, including through stronger implementation
of the “State – business – researcher” connectivity model linking research with
practical applications.

Minister Quan expressed confidence that the forum will help
strengthen linkages between the two countries’ innovation ecosystems,
particularly in strategic technologies, while promoting deeper cooperation
among universities, research institutes and enterprises, developing
high-quality human resources for the digital economy, and creating favorable
conditions for startups and innovation centers to join global value chains.

Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for
Trade and Industry Tan See Leng stressed that although the bilateral
partnership rests on a strong foundation, both sides must continue evolving
amid rapidly changing global conditions to maintain competitiveness and
relevance.

He described the forum as an opportunity for the two
countries to explore ways to expand cooperation in science, technology and
innovation, highlighting potential collaboration in advanced and sustainable manufacturing,
startup ecosystems and talent exchanges.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese Party and State leader and
senior officials of both countries witnessed the exchange of cooperation
documents in high technology; AI and digital transformation; semiconductors,
energy and supply chains; health care and biotechnology; innovation and
startups; education, training and human resources development; as well as
digital finance, trade and services.

VNA-