Professor Vu Minh Khuong: Vietnam Emerges as Top Strategic Priority for Singapore
	New Milestone in Vietnam-Singapore People-to-People Exchange and Cooperation

Following the ceremony, the two ministers held bilateral talks. According to the People’s Army Newspaper, General Phan Van Giang extended his congratulations on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Singapore Armed Forces (July 1, 1965 - July 1, 2025). He emphasized that Vietnam and Singapore are active members of the ASEAN community and share a strong friendship. The two countries possess many common strategic interests, advantages, and potential. The upgrade of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025 marked a historic milestone, ushering in a new chapter in bilateral ties, including defense cooperation.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, and Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing review the Guard of Honour of the Vietnam People’s Army. (Photo: An Dang/VNA)

General Phan Van Giang assessed that in recent years, bilateral defense cooperation has achieved positive, comprehensive, and substantive outcomes, significantly contributing to strengthening political trust between the two countries. Key developments include: the prioritization of delegation exchanges at all levels; effective maintenance of consultation, dialogue, information exchange, and interaction mechanisms, especially the defense policy dialogue; continued highlights in maritime security and safety, and training; and active mutual consultation and support at multilateral forums and mechanisms.

Looking ahead, General Phan Van Giang proposed that both sides further strengthen their trusted, comprehensive, and substantive cooperation, focusing on the following areas: exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones; effective maintenance of existing consultation and dialogue mechanisms; military service and medical cooperation and training; enhanced sharing of professional expertise and young officers’ exchanges; and continued mutual consultation and support at ASEAN multilateral defense and security forums as well as international events hosted by either side.

In remarks shared with the Vietnam News Agency, Singapore’s Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing expressed his appreciation for Vietnam’s warm reception and highlighted the close cooperation between the two defense ministries in recent times. He emphasized the need to further advance bilateral defense cooperation to align with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

General Phan Van Giang and Minister Chan Chun Sing. (Photo: Viet Trung/People’s Army Newspaper)

Minister Chan Chun Sing agreed with the discussion points raised by General Phan Van Giang during their meeting. He affirmed Singapore’s readiness to receive officers from the Vietnam People’s Army for training in Singapore and expressed his support for the continued effective maintenance of consultation and dialogue mechanisms, particularly aiming toward the success of the upcoming Defense Policy Dialogue to be held in Vietnam.

Professor Vu Minh Khuong: Vietnam Emerges as Top Strategic Priority for Singapore Professor Vu Minh Khuong stated that the upgrade in bilateral relations indicates that Vietnam has become a strategic priority for Singapore in 2025 and beyond.

New Milestone in Vietnam-Singapore People-to-People Exchange and Cooperation On March 26 in Hanoi, under the witness of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong; Vice Chairman of the ...