Your Excellency Mr Le Hoang Quan

Chairman, People’s Committee, Ho Chi Minh City

Mr Le Hung Quoc

President of the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations

Mr Nguyen Thanh Rum

President, Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association

Distinguished Alumni

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1          I am delighted to be here this evening to join you in this year’s “Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Night” held in Ho Chi Minh City.  This event is to celebrate the growing friendship and cooperation between our two countries, and between Singapore and Ho Chi Minh City. It brings together the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) alumni in Ho Chi Minh City who have attended the 3-6 months’ English language training course at Singapore’s Nanyang Technological University (NTU), members of the Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association and the Singaporean community.

2          Since the establishment of the SCP in 1992, Singapore has been happy to share its developmental experiences with over 42,000 government officials from 166 developing countries around the world. Under the SCP, Singapore has provided training for over 8,000 Vietnamese officials since 1993 in various fields such as Public Administration and Law, Communication & Transport, Economic Development and Trade Promotion, Tourism and Urban Management. 

Vietnam’s vibrant economy

3          Vietnam will become a leading country in ASEAN.  Today it is one of Asia’s fastest growing economies.  With a young and industrious population of over 83 million people, it is a favoured destination of many foreign investors.  Vietnam’s entry into WTO will further enhance its competitiveness and integration into the global economy.  An economically vibrant Vietnam will in turn make ASEAN stronger and more influential.   Singapore is happy to play a small part in Vietnam’s transformation.   

Vietnam-Singapore ties

4          Singapore-Vietnam relations are broad and deep.  Singapore is today one of Vietnam’s top investors and trading partners.  Last year, the two countries signed a Framework Agreement on Singapore-Vietnam Connectivity, which will enable us to leverage on each other’s strengths and competencies.  Recently, the Prime Ministers of our two countries witnessed the 10^th Anniversary of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in the neighbouring Binh Duong province, and the launch of the 345-hectare VSIP 2.  

Singapore’s presence in Ho Chi Minh City

5          Singapore has a substantial presence in Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s largest commercial and service hub.   The city is host to over 500 Singapore companies.  An estimated 2,500 Singaporeans work and live in the city.    

6          Our economic interests in the city are growing.  SembCorp Utilities Pte Ltd, working with the Ho Chi Minh City’s authorities, is planning to build a huge 700 MW thermo power plant in the city.  Singapore’s real estate companies like Keppel Land has several projects in the city such as the ongoing 64-hectare “Saigon Sports City” project in District 2, and CapitaLand, a fairly new entrant to Vietnam’s booming market has just signed a MOU to develop 600 homes in Saigon South next to the Phu My Hung Urban Area, its second project in less a year.  The Singapore-based Dairy Farm International has already started operating some supermarket outlets in the city.    

7          An important symbol of Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City close cooperation is the SCP English Training Course for senior Ho Chi Minh City Officials held at NTU in Singapore.  An initiative of then Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary H.E. Mr Nguyen Minh Triet and Vietnam’s current President, it aims to train a corps of English-speaking officials to help the city plug into the global marketplace and make it a magnet for foreign investors and businesses.  Singapore is honoured to support this initiative. Over 210 senior city officials have attended this programme thus far.  As we speak, 30 City officials are currently receiving their training in Singapore.

People-to-People ties

8          For any bilateral relationship to have a solid foundation, it is important to have strong people-to-people links.  This is in part already occurring through the over 4,000 Vietnamese students studying in Singapore educational institutions and the increased travels between the citizens of our two countries.

9          The Vietnam-Singapore Friendship Association, whose members are mostly SCP alumni of the NTU English Course, makes a significant contribution to these endeavours.  As senior officials, you can help promote greater bilateral understanding and cooperation. Having lived for a period in Singapore, you have first hand knowledge and understanding of Singapore society, its people, culture, policies and perspectives.  You are an important "bridge" between HCMC and Singapore.       

10        On this trip, besides my family, I have also with me over 100 grassroots leaders and their family members of my constituency in Singapore.  For many of them, this is their first trip to Vietnam.  We are here on vacation and look forward to meeting you and learning about your great country.

11        Thank you for joining us this evening.

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