The nation that masters strategic technologies will have the ability to lead the future
General Secretary and President To Lam stated that the world is entering a period of profound transformation, in which science, technology, and innovation are becoming decisive factors in national competitiveness.
According to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), speaking at the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connection Forum—themed "From Strategic Partnership to Next-Generation Industrial, Innovation, and Sustainable Development Platforms"—on the afternoon of May 29, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized the importance of mastering strategic technologies. Artificial intelligence, semiconductors, big data, biotechnology, quantum technology, clean energy, and the digital economy are fundamentally transforming production methods, business models, and the operational dynamics of the global economy. "Nations that master strategic technologies will be poised to lead the future," he stated.
For Vietnam, Politburo Resolution No. 57 has clearly identified science and technology as the central drivers of development. The country is actively working to refine institutional frameworks, develop a high-quality workforce, foster an innovation ecosystem, and create favorable conditions for businesses to engage more deeply in digital transformation and technological development. Vietnam places great importance on expanding international cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and human resource development.
According to General Secretary and President To Lam, in the current era, technological self-reliance does not equate to isolationism; rather, it must be built upon a foundation of open cooperation, knowledge connectivity, and the joint development of technological capabilities. He noted that Singapore stands as a leading hub for technology, innovation, and finance in Asia. The nation possesses strengths in research and development (R&D), technology governance, finance, innovation, and startup ecosystems, while Vietnam offers a young workforce, a large market, rapid digital transformation, and a growing demand for technology adoption. In industrial parks—including the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) network—the demand for technology applications in smart manufacturing, smart logistics, supply chain management, clean energy, and digital transformation is opening up immense opportunities for cooperation between enterprises from both countries.
General Secretary and President To Lam speaks at the Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connect Forum. Photo: VNA
General Secretary and President To Lam emphasized that the current priority is not merely to promote connectivity activities, but to establish mechanisms that transform such connections into substantive cooperation and concrete projects. The spirit of "Tech Connect" should transcend the scope of a mere networking forum; instead, it should aim to forge a new cooperation model—one where the State acts as a facilitator, scientists serve as pioneers, and businesses take the lead, all participating jointly in co-research, co-development, and co-production. Moving beyond the domestic "Triple Helix" model (State, academia, and industry), the two nations should gradually establish a bilateral "Triple Helix" framework, thereby building a cross-border cooperation network linking enterprises, universities, research institutes, and innovation centers in both Vietnam and Singapore.
He underscored that the shared goal is not simply technology adoption, but the joint development of technological capabilities and the creation of new value capable of deep integration into regional and global value chains. The two sides aim to gradually create a Vietnam-Singapore technology cooperation ecosystem where knowledge, data, technology, and high-quality human resources are effectively connected to generate technological products and solutions of regional and international value.
General Secretary and President To Lam expressed confidence that the two sides would open up specific avenues for cooperation among enterprises, universities, research institutes, and technology partners, while strongly advancing collaborative projects in strategic sectors such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, digital technology, smart logistics, clean energy, cybersecurity, and innovation. Speaking at the forum, Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan emphasized that Vietnam and Singapore have identified the promotion of science, technology, and innovation as a pillar of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. This involves accelerating the implementation of a connectivity model linking the government, businesses, and researchers, thereby bridging the gap between research and practical application.
He expressed confidence that the forum would help strengthen connections between the two nations' innovation ecosystems—particularly in strategic technology sectors—and foster deeper cooperation among universities, research institutes, and enterprises. Furthermore, he highlighted the goal of establishing programs to develop high-quality human resources for the digital economy and creating favorable conditions for tech startups and innovation centers from both countries to collaborate and integrate into global value chains.
Mr. Tan See Leng, Singapore’s Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry (overseeing energy, science, and technology), emphasized the solid foundation of the bilateral partnership but noted that, to remain relevant and competitive, both nations must continue to evolve alongside the rapidly changing global landscape. He described the forum as an opportunity to explore ways to advance further and achieve greater results together in science and technology. Mr. Tan also identified key areas for collaboration, such as advanced, smart, and sustainable manufacturing; startup ecosystems; and talent exchange.
At the forum, General Secretary and President To Lam and other senior leaders from both countries witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents covering various sectors: high-tech; artificial intelligence (AI) and digital transformation; the semiconductor industry; energy and supply chains; healthcare, biotechnology, and wellness; innovation and startups; education, training, and human resource development; digital finance; and trade and services.
General Secretary and President To Lam witnesses the exchange of memoranda of understanding on cooperation between the two countries. Photo: VNA
The Vietnam-Singapore Technology Connectivity Forum was held within the framework of the state visit to Singapore from May 29 to 31 by General Secretary and President To Lam, at the invitation of President Tharman Shanmugaratnam.
Thu Thao
Source: VnExpress