At the invitation of Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam and his wife, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam To Lam and his wife, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, will pay a state visit to Singapore from May 29 to 31, 2026.

At the invitation of Bastian Giegerich, Director-General and Chief Executive of the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), General Secretary and President To Lam will attend and deliver a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue on May 29, 2026.

General Secretary and President To Lam’s visit to Singapore takes place more than a year after his previous visit to Singapore and the visit of Singapore’s Prime Minister to Vietnam, significantly contributing to strengthening trust and ties between the two countries’ high-level leaders and promoting bilateral cooperation.

Comrade Nguyen Manh Cuong, Member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs

The state visit to Singapore by General Secretary and President To Lam holds special significance in continuing to implement and concretize the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries. The visit takes place as bilateral relations are developing very well, while both countries face the need to innovate their growth models, enhance competitiveness, and adapt to rapid shifts in the global economy.

Meanwhile, this is the first time a Vietnamese General Secretary and President has delivered a keynote address at the Shangri-La Dialogue, the premier multilateral security forum in the region. The IISS’s invitation for the General Secretary and President to attend and give a keynote speech reflects high regard for Vietnam’s important, responsible role and position in regional and international affairs, as well as respect for the General Secretary and President’s role and prestige in guiding the country’s strategic development and foreign activities.

Singapore is geographically close and a key partner of Vietnam within ASEAN, directly impacting Vietnam’s security and development. Relations between Vietnam and Singapore have grown strongly since Vietnam joined ASEAN in 1995. The two countries established a Strategic Partnership in 2013 and upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2025. These achievements reflect a high level of political trust, increasingly deep mutual interests, and a shared strategic vision in the new context. Politically, leaders of Vietnam and Singapore maintain regular high-level contacts and exchanges.

During the official visit to Singapore, on March 13, 2025, General Secretary To Lam visits Pasir Panjang port.
Singapore Ambassador to Vietnam Rajpal Singh

The high frequency of high-level visits between the two countries shows three things: First, the foundation of our relationship is based on very good connections at the leadership level; second, it demonstrates the importance both sides place on this relationship; third, it indicates strong momentum since the two countries upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership last year.

Economic cooperation is a key pillar in Vietnam-Singapore relations. Singapore is currently one of Vietnam’s top economic partners and among the largest foreign investors in Vietnam. Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh stated that in 2025, the two countries achieved a record milestone in bilateral trade turnover, valued at about 40 billion Singapore dollars (over 31.3 billion USD), an increase of nearly 25% compared to 2024.

A typical symbol of success in economic cooperation is the system of Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP). With strong support from both governments, since the first project was established in 1996 in Binh Duong, VSIP has continuously expanded and operated effectively in many localities. The effectiveness of this model is demonstrated by its important contributions to Vietnam during the period of accelerating industrialization and modernization, through the formation of modern, safe, and environmentally friendly production clusters

Shangri-La Dialogue

The Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual security summit held in Singapore, named after the Shangri-La Hotel where it first convened in 2002. Organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies, it serves as a key platform for defense ministers, military officials, and policymakers from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss regional security challenges and foster multilateral cooperation. Over the years, it has become a critical venue for addressing issues such as maritime disputes, North Korea’s nuclear program, and great-power competition.

Pasir Panjang port

Pasir Panjang port, located in Singapore, is a key component of the country’s maritime industry, handling a significant portion of its container traffic. Originally developed in the 1970s to expand Singapore’s port capacity, it was later integrated into the larger Port of Singapore. The port has played a crucial role in Singapore’s growth as a global shipping hub, though operations have gradually been consolidated at the newer Tuas Mega Port in recent years.

Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP)

The Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) are a network of integrated industrial, urban, and service zones established through a joint venture between Vietnam and Singapore. Launched in 1996 with the first park in Binh Duong Province, VSIP was inspired by Singapore’s successful industrial model and has since expanded to multiple locations across Vietnam. These parks are known for fostering foreign investment, modern infrastructure, and sustainable development, playing a key role in Vietnam’s economic growth.

Binh Duong

Binh Duong is a province in southern Vietnam, part of the Ho Chi Minh City metropolitan area, known for its rapid industrialization and economic growth. Historically, it was part of the ancient kingdom of Funan and later became a key region during the French colonial period, with notable sites like the Phu An Bamboo Village and the historic Thủ Dầu Một market. Today, it blends modern factories with traditional pottery villages and cultural landmarks such as the Binh Duong New City.