Vietnam, Singapore aim to become top strategic technology partners in Southeast Asia

On Tuesday, during Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu's working visit to Singapore, Vietnam and Singapore issued a joint statement on a technology connectivity strategy.

Shared vision for technological self-reliance

The joint statement opens by affirming the strong relationship between the two countries, which it says is built on a foundation of political trust, strong economic ties, and close people-to-people links.

Vietnam and Singapore share common interests and are committed to deepening cooperation in science and technology, innovation, connectivity, and the digital economy.

The two sides agreed on a shared vision of making Vietnam and Singapore leading strategic technology partners in Southeast Asia, with both countries strengthening their technological capabilities through cooperation and connectivity, according to the joint statement.

The two countries also seek to explore cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including the data economy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum technology, and other emerging technologies.

Vietnam and Singapore agreed to continue exploring ways to promote co-creation, joint research and co-development, with the aim of building a regionally connected innovation ecosystem where businesses, universities, and research institutes can connect, innovate, and grow together.

Vietnam, Singapore to facilitate trusted cross-border data sharing

On digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI), the two countries will deepen cooperation in developing, deploying, and using AI systems safely and responsibly. 

Developing a highly skilled workforce is a foundation for sustainable technology connectivity.

The joint statement also noted that Vietnam has a dynamic market, a young workforce and growing manufacturing capabilities, while Singapore has strengths in research and development, data governance, AI and international connectivity.

Building on these complementary innovation ecosystems, the two countries will facilitate trusted data sharing between organizations to accelerate the testing, application, and commercialization of research results.

Specifically, the two sides will encourage the responsible use and cross-border transfer of data through the implementation of ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses (MCCs) under the ASEAN Framework on Digital Data Governance.

They will also facilitate dialogue between Singapore's Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) and Personal Data Protection Commission (PDPC) and Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security and Ministry of Science and Technology to exchange views on policies and best practices related to cross-border data flows 

Against the backdrop of 2026 marking 30 years since the establishment and development of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIPs), the two sides expressed their intention to promote 'VSIP 2.0,' integrating smart technologies, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable, green systems to attract more investment.

The initiative is being advanced through a memorandum of understanding signed in May 2026 between the Singapore Agency for Science, Technology and Research's Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (A*STAR ARTC) and Becamex to establish the Vietnam Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (VAMRC).

The joint statement said VAMRC is envisioned as an industry-driven platform supporting the demonstration, deployment, and scaling of smart and sustainable advanced manufacturing technologies, while strengthening technology, talent, and business connections between Vietnam and Singapore.

The two sides will regularly review progress and identify new priorities and initiatives through the Connectivity Ministerial Meeting (CMM) and other existing bilateral mechanisms.

Vietnamese Party official meets Singapore president

Earlier on Tuesday, Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu met with Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

At the meeting, Tu said a key priority now is to deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership framework by turning the high level of political trust and agreements between the two countries' leaders into concrete programs, projects, and cooperation outcomes.

He said Vietnam and Singapore both place science and technology, innovation and human resource development at the center of their development strategies.

Against this backdrop, he called for breakthroughs in emerging areas including artificial intelligence, digital transformation, the digital economy, semiconductor technology, data centers, the green economy, clean energy, green finance, and high-quality human resource training.

Cooperation in the new phase should gradually shift toward areas with higher technology, knowledge, and added value, Tu said.

Such cooperation should go beyond leveraging existing strengths to jointly create new drivers of growth, contributing to the rapid and sustainable development of both countries.

The Singapore president agreed that the two countries have favorable conditions to leverage their complementary strengths, particularly in emerging economic sectors, technology, innovation, and human resource development.

The two sides should strengthen science and technology links and promote a new three-party model between the two countries, a cooperation model connecting governments, universities and businesses in both countries, including joint research, development and manufacturing and efforts to attract investment in next-generation industrial and high-tech sectors.