PM hosts official welcome ceremony for Singaporean counterpart
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted an official welcome ceremony for visiting Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong and his spouse at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on March 26 morning.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong stand for the national anthems of Vietnam and Singapore. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted an official welcome ceremony for visiting Singaporean PM Lawrence Wong and his spouse at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on March 26 morning.
The visit, on March 25 and 26, follows just over a week after Party General Secretary To Lam’s trip to Singapore, during which the two nations elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. It marks Wong’s first official trip to Vietnam on his post, aiming to further implement the outcomes of Lam's visit and deepen bilateral cooperation under the newly established framework.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shakes hands with his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong at the event. (Photo: VNA)
At the ceremony, Vietnamese students presented flowers to the Singaporean guests. The two PMs stood for on the honour platform as the national anthems of both countries are played, and then reviewed the honour guard of the Vietnam People’s Army, watched a ceremonial parade, and introduced their respective high-level delegations.
Following the welcome ceremony, the leaders proceeded to official talks. Before their discussions, they visited a photo exhibition showcasing the landscapes, people, and strong ties between Vietnam and Singapore, organised by the Government Office and Vietnam News Agency.
While in Vietnam, Wong is also scheduled to meet with senior leaders of the Vietnamese Party, State, and National Assembly, as well as participate in several other engagements.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong review the honour guard of the Vietnam People’s Army. (Photo: VNA)
After 52 years of diplomatic relations, Vietnam-Singapore ties are at an exceptional phase of growth, particularly following the Vietnamese Party chief’s recent visit to Singapore. Political trust continues to strengthen, while economic and investment cooperation remains robust. The two nations frequently exchange high-level delegations and collaborate closely in regional and international forums. Over the past three decades, more than 21,000 mid- and senior-level Vietnamese officials have participated in training activities under the Singapore Cooperation Programme. Additionally, the Vietnamese community in Singapore currently numbers around 20,000./.
At the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam on 25-26 March 2025. The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1973, upgraded to a Strategic Partnership in 2013, and further elevated relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in March 2025. This new framework strengthens political trust, expands cooperation, and sets a model for international partnerships based on mutual respect, sovereignty, and international law.
On the morning of March 26, 2025, at the Presidential Palace, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse hosted a welcome ceremony for Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore Lawrence Wong and his spouse, who are on an official visit to Vietnam from March 25-26.
The future of bilateral relationship is very bright as the nations share a common challenge and are committed to working together for mutual support, according to Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
