At a reception given to the Singaporean Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, in Hanoi on April 16, the President noted that Singapore has shared with Vietnam a lot of experiences regarding economic development, education and training, urban planning and measures to overcome adverse impacts of the global economic crisis.

He thanked Lee and spoke highly of the sentiments and profound suggestions the minister mentor has extended to Vietnam , as well as his role in laying the foundation for Vietnam-Singapore cooperative relations.

The State leader also applauded the efficient operations of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) in southern Binh Duong province and the application of this model in northern Hai Phong port city and Bac Ninh province, describing it as a symbol of the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

Lee said Singapore is always confident in its cooperative relations with Vietnam because it acknowledges that the Vietnamese people are hardworking and studious.

Hailing Vietnam as a country with great potentials in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the minister mentor said Singapore wants to strengthen durable ties with Vietnam for mutual benefits, believing that Vietnam will develop steadily in the future.

While sharing the island country’s development experiences, Lee said English language plays an important part in approaching the world’s knowledge and advanced technologies, as well as accelerating economic growth. He also said he was glad to see that an increasing number of Vietnamese youths are studying English.

He stressed that Singapore has achieved success thanks to the harmonious application of the world’s scientific and technological advances into its Oriental culture on the basis of a long-term overall development plan, adding that Singapore is willing to share these experiences with Vietnam .

Making the best of available resources given by overseas Singaporeans also helps Singapore catch up with the world’s development, the minister mentor added./.