Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) meets with Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong in Malaysia, October 28, 2025. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

The VSIP 2.0 model is envisioned to be smarter and more environmentally sustainable.

During their talks, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the robust growth of Vietnam-Singapore relations and agreed to effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements signed during high-level visits.

They also discussed the establishment of new frameworks for collaboration, including potential cooperation channels between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the People’s Action Party of Singapore.

Prime Minister Wong affirmed that Vietnam remains a key partner for Singapore in the region.

He noted the ctiy-state’s readiness to import processed poultry, pork, fish, and seafood from Vietnam and welcomed the upcoming signing of a bilateral rice trade cooperation agreement between the two governments at the APEC Summit.

PM Chinh called on Singapore to support the development of Vietnam’s strategic industries, including semiconductors, renewable energy, innovation, and the digital economy, proposing that science, technology, and innovation become a new pillar of bilateral cooperation.

He also expected Singapore to participate in the development of Vietnam’s future financial centers.

The Singaporean leader agreed that Singapore would continue to assist Vietnam in improving human resource quality and supported Vietnam’s proposal to enhance database connectivity, initially in the fields of economy, trade, and population.

He also suggested exploring the establishment of data centers within VSIP projects.

On regional issues, both leaders affirmed their shared commitment to strengthening ASEAN solidarity and ensuring sustainable development across sub-regions.

They also reiterated their determination to maintain the East Vietnam Sea as a region of peace, cooperation, and development.

On this occasion, PM Chinh invited PM Wong and senior Singaporean representatives to attend the third ASEAN Future Forum slated for April 2026 in Hanoi and the Autumn Economic Forum 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City in November.

At the end of their meeting, the two prime ministers witnessed the signing of the Action Program for Implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for 2025-30 between the foreign ministers of Vietnam and Singapore.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) shakes hands with Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao, October 28, 2025. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam strengthens ties with Brunei, Malaysia, Timor-Leste

Also on Tuesday, the Vietnamese government leader held meetings with Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei Darussalam, Prime Minister of Malaysia Anwar Ibrahim, and Prime Minister of Timor-Leste Xanana Gusmao.

During his meeting with the Bruneian Sultan, PM Chinh emphasized Vietnam’s readiness to ensure the success of the Sultan and Queen’s forthcoming visit to Vietnam.

He called on Brunei to facilitate greater business engagement, grant additional fishing licenses to Vietnamese vessels in Bruneian waters, and support Vietnam in halal certification and food production by leveraging its abundant natural resources.

In talks with the Malaysian prime minister, both sides agreed to expedite the signing of a cooperation document on developing the Halal industry.

Malaysia pledged to assist Vietnam in promoting and marketing its agricultural products to enhance brand visibility in the Malaysian market.

The two leaders also agreed to establish consultation and maritime management mechanisms, cooperate with other ASEAN members on ocean-related initiatives, and strengthen efforts against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing – aligning with efforts to remove the EU’s ‘yellow card’ warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports.

Meeting with Prime Minister Gusmao, PM Chinh congratulated Timor-Leste on becoming ASEAN’s 11th member and affirmed that Vietnam is willing to share experience and provide continued support.

Both sides agreed to deepen bilateral relations, promote mutual visits, and facilitate greater business cooperation.

The Vietnamese leader also urged Timor-Leste as both a party to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and a new ASEAN member to uphold ASEAN’s unified stance on the East Vietnam Sea and work together toward an effective and substantive Code of Conduct (COC) consistent with international law, contributing to peace, stability, and development in the region.