People-to-people Diplomacy Makes Important Contribution to Vietnam - Singapore Relations

The celebration was held by the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the Vietnam - Singapore Friendship Association in collaboration with the Singapore Embassy to Vietnam. The event was attended by representatives of leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, leaders of agencies, sectors, and localities, ambassadors, chargé d'affaires, and representatives of diplomatic missions in Vietnam.

According to Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan, Vietnam and Singapore officially established diplomatic relations 50 years ago, however, the exchange between the two countries started in the early 19th century through activities of merchants of the two countries.

The delegates perform a flag salute ceremony (Photo: Thu Ha)

Notably, in his arduous journey to seek a path to national liberation, President Ho Chi Minh visited Singapore twice in the early 1930s. Nowadays, his monument is solemnly placed in Asia Park, showing the Singaporean government and people's respect and love for Vietnam's great leader. The monument is a testament to the solidarity and friendship between two peoples and two countries.

Lee Kuan Yew - the first Prime Minister, the founding father of modern Singapore, and a great friend of the Vietnamese people, made many important contributions to the development of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Over the past half-century going through different developments of history, especially after the establishment of the Strategic Partnership in 2013, the relationship between Vietnam and Singapore has developed strongly, dynamically, and substantively.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan speaks at the ceremony (Photo: Thu Ha).

"The Vietnam-Singapore relationship is a successful model on bilateral and multilateral levels, in the region and at the global arena. The sincere and reliable political relations have created a premise to promote extensive, substantive, and effective cooperation in many fields," said Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.

She highly appreciated VUFO and the Vietnam - Singapore Friendship Association, together with the economic and cultural friendship associations and unions for their many effective activities to promote, and fostering the fruitful relations between the two countries in recent years.

The Vice President believes that on the solid foundation built over the past 50 years, with the high determination of the two countries' leaders, people and business communities, Vietnam - Singapore strategic partnership will continue to develop for the benefit of the two peoples, contributing to building a united, resilient and strong ASEAN community, for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and in the world.

According to Jaya Ratnam, Ambassador of Singapore to Vietnam, Singapore - Vietnam relations are characterized by strong mutual trust and respect, fostered through regular exchange at all levels.

Jaya Ratnam, Ambassador of Singapore to Vietnam (Photo: Thu Ha).

The Singaporean diplomat mentioned a photo of the two ministers of foreign affairs enjoying an "official lunch" during Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son's visit to Singapore on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The two had signature Singaporean chicken and rice, followed by Appam, an Indian dessert cooked by a Vietnamese chef. Then, they had local milk tea, Teh tarik, at one of Singapore's famous and UNESCO-listed street food centers. The photo went viral in both countries, showing that the relations have strongly developed in the recent years.

The Singapore Embassy to Vietnam introduced two Singapore icons that played an important role in connecting the two countries at the Celebration. Firstly, the Vietnam - Sinapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) appear across Vietnam. There are currently 14 VSIPs in 10 provinces of Vietnam, attracting US$18.4 billion worth of investment capital and creating about 300,000 jobs. Secondly, Singapore Airlines (SIA), one of the first international airlines operating in Vietnam. The airline currently operates more than 70 weekly flights and will expand its activities in the coming months, connecting Vietnam to Singapore and through Singapore to other parts of the world.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations. (Photo: Thu Ha)

According to VUFO President, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, people-to-people exchanges make a very important contribution to the achievements of Vietnam-Singapore relations.

Over the years, VUFO and the Vietnam - Singapore Friendship Association have actively coordinated with Singaporean people's organizations such as the Singapore International Fund, the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, the Singapore Business Federation, and Singapore Global Network Organization to come up with initiatives and organize diverse activities such as cultural, art and sports exchanges, festivals, seminars, conferences, negotiation to connect partners on economy, trade, investment, charity, and humanitarian activities. Thereby, the organizations actively contribute to enhancing mutual understanding, connecting people, and promoting cooperation between the two countries.

"VUFO and the Vietnam - Singapore Friendship Association have been and will continue to make positive efforts to act as a bridge, working closely with Singaporean partners and people's organizations to effectively implement the signed agreements, strengthen people-to-people exchanges, contribute to consolidating and deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples, promoting the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore to meet the interests and aspirations of the two peoples," said Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga.

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