The visit will strengthen the Vietnam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and affirm Vietnam’s proactive and responsible role in regional peace, security, and cooperation.
Party leader and President Lam’s visit to Singapore takes place one year after the two countries established their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Singapore is the first ASEAN country that Mr. Lam has paid a state visit to since the consolidation of Vietnam’s leadership apparatus.
During his stay, Mr. Lam will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue and become the first Vietnamese top leader to deliver a keynote address at the event, reflecting Vietnam’s growing role and position in international affairs.
Strengthening Vietnam-Singapore relations
Economic cooperation is a highlight of the Vietnam-Singapore relationship and a successful cooperative model for ASEAN. Twenty Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs) are currently operating in Vietnam, forming a network of industrial parks focused on high tech and sustainable development. The two countries are working to open their 30th VSIP this year to mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of VSIPs in Vietnam.
Vietnam and Singapore are promoting cooperation in the digital economy, the green economy, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors, highly promising fields identified by both sides as pillars of future economic connectivity.
“During Mr. Lam’s visit, the two countries will promote cooperation in technology. We will launch the Vietnam-Singapore TechConnect initiative to connect three key stakeholders – the government, scientists, and businesses – thereby effectively and practically moving toward the creation of an ecosystem for Vietnam-Singapore technology cooperation,” Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cuong said.
Positioning Vietnam in the regional structure
The Shangri-La Dialogue is one of the most influential security and defense forums in the Asia-Pacific region, established by the International Institute for Strategic Studies in 2002. This year’s event will convene 550 delegates from defense and security agencies in 40 countries to share visions and discuss strategic issues, trust-building, and defense-security cooperation.
Over the years, Vietnam has consistently pursued an independent and self-reliant foreign policy, while diversifying and multilateralizing international relations and upholding the principles of peace, cooperation, and respect for international law. This consistency has positioned Vietnam as a trusted partner, a bridge for dialogue, and a balancing factor in the region.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue will introduce Vietnam’s vision for regional security: not choosing sides in confrontation, not engaging in power competition, but promoting cooperation, dialogue, and strategic trust-building. In the context of insecurity and risk of escalating conflict, Vietnam’s voice advocating international law, respect for sovereignty, and the maintenance of peace and stability has become even more valuable.
“Vietnam is highly regarded because we are deeply integrated into the world while still maintaining an independent and self-reliant policy. Through the speech of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Vietnam will convey messages and viewpoints on strategic orientations for addressing emerging issues during the transformation of the regional and global structure,”Deputy Foreign Minister Cuong said.
The participation of Vietnam’s top leader at this forum reflects a shift in Vietnam’s foreign policy, from proactive international integration to proactive participation in regional and global issues.
“This year, the participation of Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and State President as a keynote speaker marks an important milestone. It highlights Vietnam’s position, prestige, and voice in the international arena, particularly in regional and global security and defense affairs,” Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh said.
The Vietnamese leader’s state visit to Singapore and participation in the Shangri-La Dialogue represents a strategically significant diplomatic step. It both continues Vietnam’s independent and self-reliant foreign policy and demonstrates Vietnam’s growing stature in the international arena. In an increasingly uncertain world, Vietnam is showing itself to be a responsible and proactive nation, ready to contribute to regional and global peace, stability, and development.
