10 Years of Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association: Strengthening Bonds, Advancing Cooperation

	Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association: 10 Years of Cultivating Friendship
	10th Vietnam-Singapore Navy Working Group Meeting Held

The ceremony was attended by Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu; Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Pham Quang Dung; Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Dong Huy Cuong; President of VSFA Vu Viet Ngoan; Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor of the Singapore Embassy in Vietnam Donald Tsang; and representatives from ministries, local organizations, and partners from Vietnam and Singapore.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu (third from left) awarded the Prime Minister's Certificate of Merit to VSFA. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

10 Years of community engagement & strategic partnership enhancement

According to the report presented at the event, since its establishment on July 16, 2014, the VSFA has actively played its role as a bridge between the two countries, implementing various meaningful initiatives centered on people and community.

The association has made significant contributions to enhancing economic cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore, supporting socio-economic development programs, and building a robust network of partnerships across both countries.

This network includes diplomatic missions such as the Singapore Embassy in Vietnam, the Singapore Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, and the Vietnam Embassy in Singapore; reputable organizations including the Singapore International Foundation (SIF), the Singapore Manufacturing Federation (SMF), Enterprise Singapore (ESG), and the Sing-Viet Impact Ventures (SVIV).

VSFA President Vu Viet Ngoan spoke at the ceremony. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

In addition, the VSFA has effectively collaborated with organizations in Vietnam, including the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations; provincial Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Associations in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hai Phong, Vinh Phuc, Can Tho, Binh Duong, and Dong Nai. With the active participation of businesses, professionals, and citizens from both countries, these partnerships have created a widespread and synergistic impact.

Beyond economic collaboration, the VSFA has implemented numerous charitable and social projects, including initiatives supporting social enterprises in innovation, entrepreneurship training, and programs supporting disadvantaged groups, such as students in mountainous areas. These initiatives have become highlights of the association’s efforts.

The VSFA has also fostered people-to-people exchanges in culture, tourism, education, and sports, enriching bilateral relations. In 2017, the association signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoU) with the SIF, establishing a legal framework for implementing diverse and engaging exchange programs.

"The road ahead for people-to-people diplomacy works in the new context presents significant challenges. However, with the motto of “being proactive, flexible, creative, and effective”, the association will continue its journey to deepen the bonds between the two peoples, fulfilling its mission as “a bridge of friendship and people-to-people diplomacy”, contributing positively to Vietnam’s foreign relations, for the friendship and development of the two countries; for peace and prosperity of the region," VSFA President Vu Viet Ngoan spoke at the ceremony.

A Bridge to a Green and Digital Future

Addressing the ceremony, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu noted that the VSFA was established a year after Vietnam and Singapore upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership. Since then, Singapore has become Vietnam's second-largest investor and fourth-largest trade partner in ASEAN. Notably, the 18 Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) have significantly contributed to Vietnam’s export growth and national economic value, a success to which the VSFA has greatly contributed.

The Deputy Minister highlighted three key factors behind the VSFA’s success over the past decade, including passionate, visionary, and innovative leadership; the community-focused operational model with ongoing innovation and appeal; and the strong mobilization of resources from various partners.

He expressed his hope that the VSFA will continue to play a central role in connecting citizens and actively participating in new strategic projects such as green and digital connectivity. These efforts are expected to foster new avenues of cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore.

Vice President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Dong Huy Cuong presented the medal “For Peace and Friendship among Nations” to Duong Thu Phuong, Member of the VSFA Standing Committee, and Hoang Kim Huyen, Member of the VSFA Executive Committee. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

Donald Tsang, Deputy Chief of Mission and Counsellor of the Singapore Embassy in Vietnam, commended the VSFA's efforts in strengthening the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership, particularly through people-to-people connections.

He noted that the association’s wide range of activities, spanning from the south to the north of Vietnam, has expanded opportunities for trade and investment while initiating impactful social programs.

One notable initiative is the Social Enterprise Innovation Supporting Program jointly implemented by the VSFA and SIF, which aims to advance innovation-driven economic development, a strategic priority for Vietnam in its new development phase.

Tsang expressed confidence that the strong friendship network nurtured by the VSFA would continue to drive Vietnam-Singapore relations forward in the coming decades. The Singapore Embassy in Vietnam commits to partnering with the VSFA to elevate bilateral relations in this new era.

Delegates take souvenir photos. (Photo: Dinh Hoa)

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu presented a Prime Minister’s Certificate of Merit to the VSFA, recognizing its achievements from 2019 to 2023 in contributing to Vietnam's socialist construction and national defense.

Dong Huy Cuong, Vice President of VUFO, awarded the "For Peace and Friendship Among Nations" medal to two individuals and Certificates of Merit to seven individuals and one collective from the VSFA Executive Committee for their exceptional contributions to people-to-people diplomacy.

The VSFA also presented three exemplary Singaporean partners, including SIF, SMF, and SVIV, with commemorative tokens, acknowledging their significant contributions over the past decade.

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