Vietnam and Singapore promote technology cooperation in the spirit of "Tech Connect"

Within the framework of his State visit to Singapore, on the afternoon of May 29th, General Secretary and President To Lam attended the Vietnam - Singapore Technology Connect Forum with the theme “From Strategic Partnership to New generation industrial platforms, innovation and sustainable development”.

Attending the forum were members of the high-level Vietnamese delegation, representatives of leaders from ministries and sectors, and representatives of businesses from both countries.

Speaking at the Forum, General Secretary and President To Lam highly appreciated the initiative of relevant agencies and organizations from both countries in organizing the Forum. The large presence of scientists, businesses, universities, research institutes, and technology experts demonstrates the shared aspiration of both sides to promote a new model of cooperation - one that is more substantive, deeper, and capable of creating more lasting value for both countries.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that the world is entering a period of profound transformation, where science, technology, and innovation (S&T and innovation) are not only drivers of growth but are becoming decisive factors in national competitiveness and the position of each economy in the global value chain.

Artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, quantum technology, clean energy, and the digital economy are fundamentally changing the methods of production, business models, and the way the world economy operates. The nation that masters strategic technologies will be able to lead the future. In this context, many countries are adjusting their development strategies towards using science and technology and innovation as the foundation for long-term growth and strategic autonomy.

The General Secretary and President stated that Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on the development of science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation clearly identifies science and technology as the central driving force of development, and Vietnam is striving to improve institutions, develop high-quality human resources, promote the innovation ecosystem, and create favorable conditions for businesses to participate more deeply in the digital transformation process and technology development.

In this process, Vietnam prioritizes expanding international cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and human resource development; technological self-reliance does not mean isolation, but must be built on a foundation of open cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint development of technological capabilities.

Acknowledging the significant achievements in bilateral relations over the years, the General Secretary and President stated that in the new phase, both sides are facing a great opportunity to expand cooperation into fields with higher knowledge and technology content. Although both sides have held numerous forums, workshops, and promotional activities, the biggest gap currently is not a lack of connectivity, but a lack of mechanisms to translate connectivity into tangible results.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that the most important thing now is not just to promote more connectivity activities, but to build mechanisms to transform connectivity into substantive cooperation and concrete projects. Therefore, the spirit of the "Tech Connect" initiative should not be limited to a forum for meetings, but should aim towards forming a new model of cooperation – where the State acts as a facilitator, scientists are pioneers, and businesses lead the way, all participating in joint research, development, and production.

From the "Triple helix" model within a single country, we need to gradually form a " Triple helix " model of two countries, thereby building a cross-border cooperation network between businesses, universities, research institutes, and innovation centers of Vietnam and Singapore.

The General Secretary and President affirmed his belief that the Forum will not only be about exchanging ideas, but will also open up concrete avenues for cooperation between businesses, universities, research institutes, and technology partners of the two countries. Furthermore, the forum aims to gradually form a Vietnam-Singapore technology cooperation space, where knowledge, data, technology, and high-quality human resources are effectively connected to create technological products and solutions with regional and international value.

At the Forum, General Secretary and President To Lam witnessed the signing of 25 memoranda of cooperation between ministries, sectors, localities, and businesses of the two countries.

Speaking at the Forum, Dr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower, concurrently in charge of Energy and Science and Technology, Ministry of Trade and Industry of Singapore, affirmed that the second visit to Singapore by General Secretary and President To Lam and his wife, along with the high-level Vietnamese delegation, in just over a year, reflects the strong and increasingly developing relationship between the two countries.

Minister Tan See Leng emphasized that the foundation of the bilateral partnership is very solid but needs to continue to develop in accordance with the rapidly changing global environment. The forum provides an opportunity for both sides to consider ways to move forward and achieve more together in developing science, technology, and innovation, focusing on areas such as: advanced, smart, and sustainable manufacturing; developing the startup ecosystems of both countries; and talent exchange.

Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology, Vu Hai Quan emphasized that Vietnam and Singapore have identified promoting science, technology, and innovation as a pillar of their comprehensive strategic partnership, including accelerating cooperation under the "Triple Helix" model connecting the government, businesses, and researchers, linking research with application.

The forum will contribute to strengthening connections between the innovation ecosystems of the two countries, especially in strategic technology fields; promoting deeper cooperation between universities, research institutes, and businesses of both countries; and building cooperation programs to develop high-quality human resources to serve the digital economy.

The forum also will creat favorable conditions for technology startups and innovation centers in both countries to connect, cooperate, and participate in global value chains.

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25 MoUs were signed at the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum

Memorandum of Understanding between VSIP-Coherent: building a new factory to support the development of thermal power semiconductor material production between Coherent and Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park Joint Venture Company Limited (VSIP).

Cooperation agreement on promoting capital for innovation and technology development in Vietnam's green economy
between the Vietnam International Finance Centre in Ho Chi Minh City and Touchstone Capital Partners (Singapore).

Cooperation between VSIP Nghe An and Luxshare-ICT in developing supply chains for the electronics, precision engineering, and renewable energy industries in Nghe An.

Strategic cooperation in training, research, academic exchange, innovation, and development of educational programs between Vietnam National University (VNU) Ho Chi Minh City and the National University of Singapore.

Collaboration on innovation and entrepreneurship between the Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology (PTIT) - National Agency for Entrepreneurship & Technology Enterprises (NATEC) and the National University of Singapore.

Collaboration on building a program to develop the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem in Vietnam between Van Lang University and the National University of Singapore.

Memorandum of Understanding on entrepreneurship support between Lac Hong University and the Singapore Global Entrepreneurship Network.

Collaboration on implementing an international internship program, connecting training, recruitment and human resource development between Finan Capital and Singapore Management University.

Collaboration on implementing a strategic program to train 2,000 digital healthcare leaders in Vietnam, enhancing geroscience capacity, AI application and data analytics in healthcare management between the Vietnam Association for Biomedical Research and Application (VAMBRA) and the Longevity Societies and Economies Institute (LSEI) of Singapore Management University (SMU).

Collaborative research, technology development, and commercialization of research results between three parties, focusing on the field of extracellular vesicles (EVs) in medical and biological applications, between the Dinh Tien Hoang Institute of Medical Research, Dinh Tien Hoang Medical Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, and EVCertis.

Collaborative integration of technology and development of a Loyalty ecosystem between Vietnam Airlines and Singapore Airlines.

Contract for the joint development of a smart payment ecosystem between Vietnam Airlines and Adyen N.V.

Contract for the deployment of integrated technology solutions for payment gateways, collection services, and multi-channel payments between Vietnam Airlines and 2C2P (Ant International Group).

Strategic cooperation in the fields of AI, digital transformation, data center development, sustainable urban development, and renewable energy solutions between FPT and Sembcorp.

Strategic cooperation in AI, digital transformation in the banking industry, financial service innovation, and technology solutions between FPT and UOB.

Cooperation in data centers and digital infrastructure, green and sustainable digital infrastructure, R&D centers in AI, big data, digital technology, and human resource training, and innovation ecosystem development between BB Investment and Development Co., Ltd. and Sembcorp Development.

Cooperation in connecting and organizing innovation programs; exchanging resources and experience; collaborating on research and development of technology products, artificial intelligence (AI), and AI applications between VCCorp and Aux Media Group.

Cooperation in developing personalized preventative health solutions, including software and devices for long-term health monitoring, between Kaopiz Vietnam and QuantumTX Singapore.

Collaboration in the field of technology platforms in the tourism industry between Vinpearl and BeMyGuest.

Collaboration in the field of technology platforms in the tourism industry between Vinpearl and Global Tix.

Collaboration in developing an AI ecosystem, digital investment and trade infrastructure, and supporting small and medium-sized enterprises between Arobid JSC and the Singapore AI Association.

Collaboration in developing 3D additive manufacturing technology between the Vietnam National Energy Industry Corporation and Nikkon SLM Solutions.

Collaboration in supplying fragrances, especially high-tech fragrances, between the Vietnam Chemical Corporation and DSM FIRMENICH Group.

Establishment of a framework for cooperation in applying AI in cultural and media technology and developing the cultural industry between SV5 Investment and Media JSC and Aux Media Group.

Launching ceremony of Vietjet's direct flight from Nha Trang to Singapore./.

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