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Following the official upgrade of Vietnam-Singapore relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on March 12, during General Secretary To Lam’s visit, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s visit to Vietnam just over a week later has garnered significant public attention.

Singaporean Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People's Action Party (PAP), Lawrence Wong, presided over the official welcome ceremony for General Secretary To Lam on March 12, 2025. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

According to experts in Singapore, PM Lawrence Wong’s visit to Vietnam from March 25-26 reflects high expectations for a substantive and deepened partnership between the two nations.

Professor Vu Minh Khuong from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy at the National University of Singapore noted that the elevation of bilateral ties, coupled with PM Lawrence Wong’s prompt visit, demonstrates Singapore’s strong commitment to its relationship with Vietnam.

This commitment is fueled by Vietnam’s remarkable transformation, with a determined effort to turn limitations into competitive advantages, particularly in three key areas including institutional and policy reforms, proactive adoption of science and technology, and rapid, impressive economic growth.

According to Professor Vu Minh Khuong, the timing of PM Lawrence Wong’s visit was not only a matter of scheduling but also a testament to Singapore’s deep confidence in the immense potential of bilateral cooperation.

This visit holds even greater significance as Singapore prepares for its upcoming general elections—an event crucial to the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) and the nation as a whole.

Professor Vu Minh Khuong emphasized that these developments highlight Vietnam’s emergence as a strategic priority for Singapore in 2025 and beyond. He also underscored the importance of Vietnam-Singapore relations within the broader ASEAN context, amid global uncertainties, stressing the need to bolster resilience against external disruptions.

Both countries should prioritize regular consultations and address practical challenges such as labor productivity enhancement, competitiveness, digital and green economy integration, logistics, and maritime cooperation.

He expressed optimism that Vietnam and Singapore could become a model of regional and even global cooperation.

Meanwhile, Professor Bilveer Singh, deputy head of the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, noted that PM Lawrence Wong’s visit clearly demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties, especially from the perspective of its new generation of leaders.

Professor Singh highlighted that frequent high-level exchanges between the two nations facilitate deeper mutual understanding, particularly regarding each other’s strategic priorities.

Additionally, the visit reaffirms the strong tradition in Vietnam-Singapore relations—one of close collaboration and joint efforts to make their partnership increasingly substantive and effective.

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