Singaporean scholar impressed by Vietnam’s successes
Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Vietnam has become one of the most impressive, optimistic and successful countries, a Singaporean scholar has said. In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)’s reporters in Singapore, Associate Prof. Bilveer Singh, deputy head of the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore, highlighted the country’s outstanding political stability.
Associate Prof. Bilveer Singh, deputy head of the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore (Photo: VNA)
Singapore (VNA) – Under the leadershipof the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Vietnam has become one of the mostimpressive, optimistic and successful countries, a Singaporean scholar has said.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency(VNA)’s reporters in Singapore, Associate Prof. Bilveer Singh, deputy head ofthe Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore,highlighted the country’s outstanding political stability.
Vietnam has been among the countries in the worldwith the most successful economic growth over the past five years, whichremained positive (nearly 3.0 percent) in 2020 despite the COVID-19 pandemic,he added.
The economic growth has reflected the CPV’s soundpolicies as well as the balance between domestic and external trade, whiledemonstrating that domestic economic bases, whether agriculture and industry,have borne fruits.
Singh also commended the country’s achievements inexternal affairs and national defance with highlights over the past five years,notably 2020, such as ASEAN Chairmanship, non-permanent membership of theUnited Nations Security Council and hosting the signing ceremony of theRegional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement that forms thebiggest trade area so far.
The signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement (Photo: VNA)
The scholar expressed his impression on the numberof COVID-19 infections and fatalities in Vietnam that remain very low incomparison with those in other countries in Southeast Asia and the world, givenits population of nearly 100 million.
Regarding the 13th National PartyCongress, scheduled to take place from January 25 to Feberuary 2, Singh saidthe event is of special significance as it will put forth socio-economicdevelopment plans for the country in the next five years when Vietnam has toface the impact of the pandemic and competition among trading partners at thesame time.
The scholar suggested Vietnam carry forward itsperformance in handling internal matters, while tightening its coordinationwith other ASEAN member countries.
Vietnam needs to continue with COVID-19 preventionand control measures, maintain economic growth and political stability, andprove its role in regional and international issues, he said.
Singh expressed his belief that with those efforts,Vietnam would bring a lot of benefits to ASEAN, and become a “middle power” inSoutheast Asia in the next 10-20 years./.
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and Permanent Secretary of Defence of Singapore Chan Heng Kee co-chaired the 11th Vietnam – Singapore defence policy dialogue in the island state on November 6.
Vietnam and Singapore on December 15 discussed specific measures to enhance their bilateral ties, including the enhancement of political and diplomatic links by increasing visits and meetings at all levels and vial all channels and mechanisms of bilateral cooperation.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
Associate Prof. Bilveer Singh, deputy head of the Department of Political Science at the National University of Singapore (Photo: VNA) 
The signing ceremony of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement (Photo: VNA) 
