During the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue, held in Singapore on August 25, the two sides issued the Vietnam-Singapore Joint Statement on the Technology Connectivity Strategy.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Politburo member and Permanent Member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Tran Cam Tu, and Assistant Secretary-General of Singapore’s People’s Action Party, Coordinating Minister for Public Services and Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing,
Building upon the Action Plan to implement the Vietnam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, signed on October 28, 2025, both sides reaffirmed their shared interests and commitment to deepening cooperation in the fields of science and technology, innovation, connectivity, and the digital economy.
The two sides agreed on a shared vision to establish Vietnam and Singapore as leading strategic technology partners in Southeast Asia, whereby both nations enhance their technological resilience through cooperation and connectivity.
Both sides identified science and technology, innovation, connectivity, and the digital economy as vital drivers for sustainable and mutually beneficial growth, aligned with each country's respective national development strategies.
Furthermore, both parties recognized the pivotal role of science, technology, and innovation in driving economic growth, enhancing industrial competitiveness, and supporting sustainable development.
Strengthening technology connnection, AI cooperation
Vietnam and Singapore aim to explore cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including the data economy, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors, biotechnology, quantum technology, and other emerging technologies.
To achieve these objectives, the two sides agreed to continue exploring ways to promote cooperation, co-creation, co-research, and co-development. This aims to build a regional-scale innovation ecosystem where businesses, universities, and research institutes can connect, innovate, and grow together.
Recognizing the powerful transformative potential of digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in driving innovation, enhancing productivity, and fostering sustainable economic growth for businesses and citizens, Vietnam and Singapore agreed to deepen cooperation in the development, deployment, and use of safe and responsible AI systems.
Collaboration in this field will refer to regional guidelines, such as the ASEAN Guide on AI Governance and Ethics.
The Joint Statement also highlights the complementarity between the two innovation ecosystems. Vietnam offers a dynamic market, a young workforce, and growing manufacturing capacity, while Singapore possesses strengths in research and development (R&D), data governance, and AI, alongside its global connectivity.
Both sides will promote data-driven innovation and encourage the responsible use and cross-border flow of data through the implementation of the ASEAN Model Contractual Clauses (MCCs) within the ASEAN Digital Data Governance Framework.
Vietnam and Singapore reaffirm their support for ASEAN's efforts to advance regional digital economic integration, including the negotiation and development of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
Toward “VSIP 2.0” and smart technology
As 2026 marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment and development of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP)—a joint venture between Vietnam's Becamex and Singapore's Bembcorp —both sides reaffirmed the success of VSIP as a symbol of bilateral economic cooperation.
The two sides also aim to promote the development of “VSIP 2.0,” which integrates smart technologies, advanced manufacturing, and sustainable, green systems to attract further investment.
This strategic direction is being advanced through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Becamex and the Advanced Remanufacturing and Technology Centre (ARTC) under Singapore’s Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). The MoU concerns the establishment of the Vietnam Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (VAMRC), following the State visit to Singapore by General Secretary and President To Lam in May 2026.
VAMRC is envisioned as an industry-led platform that supports the demonstration, deployment, and scaling of smart and sustainable advanced manufacturing technologies. It also aims to strengthen the connectivity of technology, talent, and businesses between Vietnam and Singapore.
According to the Joint Statement, all cooperation in these fields will be discussed and implemented within the framework of the Connectivity Ministerial Meeting (CMM), to be co-chaired by the Minister of Finance of Vietnam and the Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore.
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