HCMC - Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on May 30 visited the Singaporean Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR)'s Model Factory and the Singapore Rail Test Centre as part of his state visit to Singapore.

At the A*STAR Model Factory, a flagship Singapore facility showcasing advanced manufacturing, innovation and digital technologies, Lam praised the city-state's approach of allowing companies to test new technologies in a real-world environment before committing to large-scale investments. He said the model exemplified a practical approach to development, with the State helping to absorb early-stage risks, companies encouraged to innovate, and researchers closely aligned with industry needs. Vietnam is pursuing a similar strategy in its science and technology policies, he added. Lam said Vietnam views science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as strategic drivers of rapid and sustainable growth. The country is accelerating institutional reforms, developing a highly skilled workforce and strengthening its technological capabilities to integrate more deeply into global value chains. Singapore was an important partner with valuable experience to share, expressing confidence that cooperation between the two countries in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, smart manufacturing, innovation and high-tech talent development would continue to expand in the years ahead. The A*STAR Model Factory serves as a learning and testing platform where businesses, research institutions and government agencies can evaluate and trial advanced manufacturing solutions before deploying them in real-world production environments. The facility incorporates Industry 4.0 technologies, including the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), autonomous mobile robots and intelligent manufacturing execution systems. During a visit to the Singapore Rail Test Center and its rolling stock maintenance facility, To Lam said the model offered valuable lessons for Vietnam as several metro lines are either entering operation or under development. He said Vietnam could draw on Singapore's experience in training local engineers capable of independently assembling, inspecting and overhauling core railway technologies, as well as applying digital technologies to maintenance processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.