1-Political Relation:

Viet Nam and Singapore established diplomatic relation on August 1^st 1973. After Viet Nam joined the Bali Treaty (7/1992) and became the full member of the ASEAN on July 1995, bilateral relations have developed to a new stage. On the visit to Singapore by the then Viet Nam Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (3/2004), the two sides signed “Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Cooperation Framework in the 21^st century”, setting up the legal base and favorable conditions to further enhance the bilateral relations of friendship and cooperation.

Visits by Vietnamese Leaders to Singapore:

+ General Secretary Do Muoi (10/1993); President Tran Duc Luong (4/1998); Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet (11/1991) and (5/1994); Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (10/1992 as Deputy Prime Minister and in 3/2004); Chairman of National Assembly Nong Duc Manh (9/1995); Chairman of National Assembly Nguyen Van an (12/2003); Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (2001, 2004 and 2005); Foreign Minister Nguyen Manh Cam (1995); Defense Minister Doan Khue (1995); Defense Minister Pham Van Tra (2004); Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien (2000 and 2004); Public Security Minister Le Hong Anh (2005 and 2008); Education Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan (2007); Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (2007); Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong (2008); Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem (2008); Deputy Chairman of National Assembly Nguyen Duc Kien (2009); Defense Minister Phung Quang Thanh (2009); Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai (2009); President Nguyen Minh Triet (2009).  

 Visits by Singaporean Leaders to Viet Nam:

+ President S R Nathan (2001 and 2008); Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong (1994, 1998, 2003); Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (2000, as Prime Minister in 2004 and 2006); Deputy Prime Minister, Defense Minister Tony Tan Keng Yam (1996); Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Home Affairs Wong Kan Seng (2006); Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Coordinating National Security and Law S Jayakumar (2007); Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew (1992, 1993, 1995, 1997, 2007, 2009); Foreign Minister Wong Kan Seng (1992), Foreign Minister S Jayakumar (1996 and 2001); Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean (2003 and 2007); Speaker of the Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi (2004); Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam (2007); Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong (2007); Foreign Minister George Yeo (2009); Deputy Prime Minister, Defense Minister Teo Chee Hean (2009).    

2-Cooperation on the specific areas:

- Trade and investment: since 1996, Singapore has always been one of the leading trading and investment partners of Viet Nam. Trade turnover of 3 US$ million in 2001 increased to 12 US$ million in 2008. In the first 10 months of 2009, due to global economic crisis, the two-way trade has just reached 5 US$ million. Some main Viet Nam’s import products are: oils, plastics, metals, computers, electronic products, chemical substances… while main export products are: crude oil, coffee, sea food, electronic products…  

 - Since 1998, Singaporean direct investment in Viet Nam has gradually increased. Up to December 2009, Singapore has 758 registered projects in Viet Nam with the total capital 17 US$ million. Singapore investments projects span in many areas: industrial parks, services, infrastructure development, construction, real estate…

- On December 6 2005, Minister of Trade of the two countries signed the Framework Agreement on Viet Nam – Singapore Connectivity in Singapore with 6 annexes: finance, investment, trade and services, transportation, telecommunication – information technology, education and training.

- Cooperation on other areas such as: education, culture, tourism, law and justice, health care…have been further strengthened and expanded. Singapore has made active contributions and shared experience with Viet Nam in her process of regional and international integrity.

3-Signed Agreements:

-Commercial Navigation Agreement (1992)

-Aviation Transportation Agreement (1994)

-Commercial Agreement (1992)

-Agreement on Promotion and Protection of Investment (1992)

-Agreement in the field of Environment Management and Protection (1993)

-Agreement on Prevention of Double Taxation (1994)

-Agreement on Tourism Cooperation (1994)

-Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Cooperation Framework in the 21^st century (2004)

-Framework Agreement between Viet Nam and Singapore (2005)

-MOU on Education Cooperation (2007)

-MOU on Law and Justice Cooperation (2008)

-MOU on Defense Cooperation (2009)

-Besides, there are a number of agreements in other areas, namely: Youth (1995), Press (1996),

Culture and Information (1998), Credit Provision (2004)…./.