Quick summary: Singapore and Vietnam have significantly expanded their comprehensive strategic partnership by launching a joint research centre inside the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Parks network to pilot and deploy advanced manufacturing solutions in real world industrial settings. The initiative coordinates Singapore’s major funding commitments with Vietnam’s national digital transformation frameworks to drive shared economic growth across artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, and green energy infrastructure. These bilateral developments carry profound weight for public policy and international relations, proving that combining technological innovation with the protection of open trade routes is essential to secure regional supply chains and promote long term economic resilience.
Singapore and Vietnam are strengthening ties in advanced manufacturing, science, technology, and innovation as To Lam visits the city-state.
Singapore’s Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science and Technology, Tan See Leng, announced the expanded cooperation on Friday, 29th May at the Vietnam-Singapore Tech Connect Initiative held at Raffles City Convention Centre. The initiative took place during President Lam’s state visit, during which he met Lawrence Wong. The two leaders witnessed the signing of several memorandums of understanding (MOUs).
A centrepiece of the partnership is a new research centre to be established in Vietnam. An MOU was signed between A*STAR Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology and Manufacturing Research Centre.
Operating within the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks ecosystem, the centre will provide a platform for companies to translate research into tangible outcomes by piloting and deploying advanced manufacturing solutions in real-world industrial settings.
Dr Tan highlighted both countries’ investment commitments to their respective ecosystems. Under Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2030, Singapore plans to invest around S$37 billion (US$29 billion) over the next 5 years in areas including artificial intelligence, data, advanced manufacturing, and semiconductors, with a focus on translating research into real economic and societal outcomes.
Vietnam’s equivalent framework, Politburo Resolution No. 57, reflects a national commitment to science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as key drivers of economic growth.
“We are seeing strong momentum in Vietnam’s development of Artificial Intelligence capabilities, alongside efforts to build up its semiconductor ecosystem and advanced manufacturing base,” Dr Tan said.
In a joint statement, Dr Tan and Minister of Industry and Trade Le Manh Hung expressed “serious concern” about the ongoing situation in the Middle East and its implications for global peace and stability.
Both ministers stressed the importance of maintaining open sea lanes and trade routes and reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening intra-ASEAN trade and supply chain connectivity.
“We will ensure that our airports, seaports, and critical trade infrastructure remain operational to minimise disruptions to trade flows,” they said.
Both ministers also resolved to enhance cooperation in food security, including the implementation of a rice trade agreement, and acknowledged “the importance of avoiding unnecessary restrictive measures to promote the trade of rice, which is an essential commodity.”
“In the face of heightened global uncertainty, we remain resolute in our commitment to work together in solidarity to uphold regional stability, strengthen economic resilience, and promote an international order based on international law, including the UN Charter,” Dr Tan and Le Manh Hung said.
The visit builds on more than five decades of diplomatic relations and comes just over a year after Singapore–Vietnam ties were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Singapore has remained Vietnam’s largest source of foreign direct investment since 2020.
According to Ambassador, Tran Phuoc Anh, Singapore is the 2nd-largest investor in Vietnam overall, with more than 4,500 valid projects and total registered capital of nearly US$97 billion. In the 1st 4 months of 2026 alone, Singapore led newly registered foreign direct investment with US$6.05 billion, accounting for 49.8% of the country’s total newly registered capital. Bilateral trade turnover reached a record high of more than US$31.3 billion in 2025, up nearly 25% from 2024.
1 of the most successful examples of economic cooperation is the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks network. Launched in 1996, the network has expanded to more than 20 industrial parks across 15 provinces and cities, with plans to expand to 30 parks by 2026.
Rajpal Singh highlighted priorities in the digital space and sustainable green development during a special technology connectivity forum bringing together digital enterprises from both countries. Cooperation is expanding across artificial intelligence, big data, semiconductor technology, smart cities, digital government, green energy, and net-zero transition, including proposals for offshore wind power projects.
To Lam will deliver a keynote address to open the Shangri-La Dialogue later on Friday. Delegates and senior defence officials from 44 countries are attending Asia’s top defence and security forum, including US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who is scheduled to speak on Saturday.
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