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The online seminar on the Vietnam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Singapore relations poised for new heights

Vietnam and Singapore are strengthening their strategic partnership, with deeper collaboration in digital transformation, green growth, and economic integration, officials and experts said at an online seminar hosted by the ISEAS – Yusof Ishak Institute on March 4.

Speaking at the event, Professor Vu Minh Khuong from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy highlighted key milestones in Vietnam-Singapore relations, from the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973 to the Strategic Partnership in 2013, noting that the two nations are working toward an even higher level for their relationship.

He pointed out that Vietnam’s rapid economic growth is fueled by industrialisation, AI-driven digital transformation, green growth, and deeper global integration. The country’s new era is defined by institutional reform as a competitive advantage, innovation and digital transformation as catalysts for growth, and speed as a strategic edge, cited VNA.

Elevating Vietnam-Singapore ties will further drive economic integration, investment, and cooperation in education, talent development, digital transformation, innovation, and sustainability, Khuong noted.

Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam stressed the need to enhance collaboration both bilaterally and within multilateral frameworks such as ASEAN, highlighting the resilience of the Vietnam-Singapore partnership, built on strong political trust and robust economic ties.

According to the ambassador, digital transformation and energy transition are reshaping the global and regional economies, including Vietnam and Singapore. The two countries have launched multiple initiatives, with two key pillars currently underway. The first is the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP), established in 1996, which will mark its 30th anniversary in 2026. To date, there are 18 VSIPs across Vietnam, attracting around 22 billion USD in investment and generating over 300,000 jobs.

The second pillar is energy cooperation. Singapore views Vietnam as a key player in ASEAN’s energy network, recognising its vast potential in renewable energy. Vietnam is not only capable of supplying clean energy to Singapore but also to other ASEAN nations. Both countries are committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with Vietnam’s energy exports playing a crucial role in reaching these targets. Beyond energy exports, Vietnam also has the capacity to develop energy production and service facilities, further strengthening its position in the regional energy landscape.

Singapore hopes to establish energy industrial parks between the two countries, similar to VSIP, creating a vital link between their economies. Both nations will strengthen cooperation, particularly in energy policy, with Singapore set to increase investments in energy infrastructure. Data connectivity is also emerging as a key area of collaboration, as Vietnam seeks to develop data centres to attract foreign investment. Additionally, the two countries aim to establish common frameworks and regulations for food imports, further enhancing economic ties.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh highlighted the growing political trust between Vietnam and Singapore, reinforced by the annual meeting between the two Prime Ministers.

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s recognition of Singapore as a key partner in many areas and pointed to ample room for collaboration in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and financial services.

Strengthening bilateral ties is expected to further boost economic cooperation. Vietnam is currently Singapore’s fourth-largest trade partner in ASEAN, with two-way trade reaching approximately 23 billion USD. Singapore is also Vietnam’s second-largest investor, just behind the Republic of Korea.

With economic collaboration on the rise, bilateral trade is projected to grow by around 10% annually over the next three years, while increased investment from Singaporean enterprises is anticipated, particularly in manufacturing, technology, energy, and services.

Kazakhstan ready to serve as bridge connecting Vietnam with Central Asia

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang visited Kazakhstan from March 2- 3 for political consultations at the invitation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan.

As part of the visit, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and her Kazakh counterpart A. Bakayev on March 3 co-chaired the political consultations, during which both sides reviewed cooperation in various fields between the two countries and their respective foreign ministries.

They also assessed the implementation of agreements reached by high-level leaders, and compared notes on measures to forge bilateral relations in the future, as well as on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

The two sides expressed satisfaction with the positive development of the traditional friendship and all-around cooperation between Vietnam and Kazakhstan, especially following the official visit of Kazakh President K. Tokayev to Vietnam in August 2023.

The two diplomats affirmed that in the coming time, both sides should continue to intensify delegation exchanges, meetings, and regular interactions between the two countries' leaders through Party, State, and parliamentary channels at all levels, especially at the high level, to strengthen political trust and mutual understanding. This would lay a foundation for the robust and sustainable development of cooperation across a variety of spheres.

They consented to coordinate and facilitate relevant agencies of both countries in making thorough preparations for and successfully organizing high-level visits in the near future.

Acknowledging the positive trend in trade exchanges between the two nations in recent years, Host and guest noted that the current trade volume remains modest compared to the potential and expectations of both sides. They highlighted that the two countries' imports and exports do not compete directly but rather complement each other and enrich each other’s markets.

The two sides agreed to continue working together to encourage relevant ministries and sectors to fully leverage the benefits of the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Kazakhstan is a member. They also discussed the importance of utilizing multimodal transport corridors and routes to boost bilateral trade in the time ahead.

They acknowledged that the agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, signed in August 2023 and set to take effect in May 2024, will offer favorable conditions for stepping up cooperation in tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and locality-to-locality cooperation. They noted that by effectively utilizing the agreement and direct flight routes between the two countries, the number of Kazakh tourists visiting Vietnam has increased sharply, reaching 150,000 arrivals in 2024.

The two sides also agreed that Vietnam and Kazakhstan have huge potential for mutually beneficial cooperation in other areas, including science and technology, transport and logistics, education and training, and culture, to meet the developmental needs of both countries in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Regarding cooperation between the two foreign ministries, Hang and Bakayev concurred to maintain regular political consultation mechanisms and high-level engagements to boost coordination and advance overall Vietnam-Kazakhstan relations, as well as ties between ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries.

They also exchanged assessments of the current global and regional situation. They welcomed the open, balanced, diversified, and multilateral foreign policies of both Vietnam and Kazakhstan and greatly valued their close coordination at international organizations and multilateral forums, including the United Nations, to uphold their roles and contribute to global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.

The two sides acknowledged and agreed to continue considering mutual support in multilateral institutions, particularly within the UN framework.

Deputy FM A. Bakayev expressed Kazakhstan’s desire for Vietnam’s support in ramping up Kazakhstan-ASEAN cooperation. In return, Kazakhstan is ready to serve as a bridge connecting Vietnam with Central Asian countries.

Hang affirmed that Vietnam will augment ASEAN-Kazakhstan cooperation, as well as ASEAN’s relations with regional organizations in which Kazakhstan is a member, such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) and the EAEU, according to VOV.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (right) and her Kazakh counterpart A. Bakayev (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Hang expressed her hope that Kazakhstan will actively support ASEAN’s and Vietnam’s stance on maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of aviation, navigation, and trade in the East Sea (South China Sea), resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Hang also thanked the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its ongoing support of the Vietnamese community in Kazakhstan and requested that the Kazakh side continue to create favorable conditions for their livelihood and business activities.

On this occasion, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang met with A. Kuspan, chairwoman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence, and Security and chairwoman of the Kazakhstan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group in the Kazakh Parliament, as well as representatives of major Kazakh political parties.

Kuspan affirmed Kazakhstan’s keen interest in Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam over nearly 40 years of reform. She stated that the political consultations held by Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang in Kazakhstan demonstrate Vietnam’s strong commitment to bilateral relations and inter-ministerial cooperation. She stressed that Kazakhstan welcomes upcoming high-level exchanges and affirmed that both the Kazakh government and parliament will make every effort to foster bilateral relations and ensure thorough preparations for upcoming high-level visits.

Deputy FM Hang affirmed her commitment to working closely with the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant agencies to strengthen Vietnam-Kazakhstan relations and effectively carry out the agreements reached by senior leaders, for the benefit of both nations and for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond.

Earlier, on the afternoon of March 2, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang also held a working session with the Vietnamese Embassy in Kazakhstan.

Vietnam, RoK bolster digital transformation cooperation in judicial sector

Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Le Minh Tri has called on the Republic of Korea (RoK) to enhance support, exchanges, and training in electronic investigation and evidence, and in the fight against high-tech and transnational crimes.

At a meeting with RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young-sam on March 4, Tri applauded the fast-growing and effective partnership between the two countries across politics, diplomacy, defence, economy, and culture. He reaffirmed the RoK’s status as one of Vietnam’s leading partners in all spheres.

The official also extended his appreciation for the RoK’s support in key projects benefiting the Supreme People’s Court.

As Vietnam accelerates its digital transformation under Resolution 57, Tri called on the ambassador to serve as a bridge for judicial exchanges, enabling both sides to share expertise in court proceedings and technology applications in the sector.

The official asked the diplomat to convey his invitation to the Chief Justice of the RoK Supreme Court to visit Vietnam in 2025, VNA reported.

Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Le Minh Tri hosted a reception for RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young-sam on March 4. (Photo: VNA)

For his part, Ambassador Choi affirmed his commitment to further strengthening bilateral judicial cooperation. He noted that the RoK government, Supreme Court, Embassy, and Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) are eager to collaborate with Vietnam’s judicial sector, and support ongoing and future projects, particularly in digital transformation and IT applications.

The ambassador also expressed hope that Vietnam will continue creating favourable conditions for Korean businesses in the country. He called for Vietnam's stronger support in administrative procedures and citizen and business protection.

Francophonie Festival 2025 return to Hanoi in late March

The "Balade en France" and Francophonie Festival 2025 will be held in Hanoi from March 28 to 30, featuring French cuisine, along with a wide range of French agricultural and food products, organizers announced at a press conference on March 4.

Building on the successes of the previous four editions, the French Food Festival in Vietnam will return to the capital, offering Hanoi residents and visitors the opportunity to experience a variety of exciting activities.

A highlight of this year’s festival will be the first-time participation of the International Organization of La Francophonie (OIF), the Francophone University Agency (AUF), and the Group of Francophone Embassies, Delegations, and Institutions in Hanoi (GADIF).

The festival will feature three key activities: the third Francophone Run, a French fair with over 40 booths displaying French agricultural and food products, and an educational exhibition providing information for students interested in studying in France, cited VOV.

At the press conference.

In his speech, Pierre Du Ville, president of GADIF, emphasized the festival’s role in boosting stronger ties between France, French-speaking countries, and Vietnam. He said that with the involvement of institutional, economic, and cultural organizations, the event will serve as a platform for dialogue and knowledge exchange, further strengthening both bilateral and multilateral relations.

Aimed at young people and families, the festival will celebrate Francophone heritage while encouraging cultural exchanges and cooperation across various sectors. Visitors will also have the opportunity to explore the French Embassy's booths, which will include exhibits on automobile manufacturing, tourism, and education.

Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, a special music program will take place during the festival along with performances by renowned artists.

Vietnam announces a five-day public holiday for April 30 and May 1

This year, people across Vietnam will enjoy a five-day holiday from Wednesday, April 30, to Sunday, May 4, for the Reunification Day and International Workers' Day celebrations. To compensate for the extended break, employees will work on Saturday, April 26.

According to the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, workers will also receive a one-day holiday for Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day on Monday, April 7 (March 10 in the lunar calendar). Since this holiday follows a weekend, the break will be extended, allowing government employees and workers to rest for three consecutive days from April 5 to April 7.

For the April 30–May 1 holiday, the nationwide five-day break runs from Wednesday, April 30, to Sunday, May 4. Workers will make up for the extended holiday by working on Saturday, April 26, VNN reported.

Organizations and businesses that do not follow a fixed Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule may adjust their holiday plans based on operational needs. However, the ministry encourages employers to align their schedules with the national holiday calendar to give workers sufficient rest.

In cases where businesses require employees to work during holidays, the work will be classified as overtime and compensated accordingly. Under the 2019 Labor Code, employees who agree to work on public holidays are entitled to additional pay as stipulated in Article 98 of the law.

Specifically, employees working during the day on the Lunar New Year holiday are entitled to 300% of their regular daily wage, while those working at night during a public holiday or Tet are entitled to 390% of their regular daily wage.

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