HCMC – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse left Hanoi this afternoon for a four-day Southeast Asia tour that takes in Singapore and Brunei to strengthen ties between Vietnam and the two countries.

His official visits are made at the invitations of Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Sultan of Brunei Darussalam Haji Hassanal Bolkiah.

The Government delegation accompanying the PM during the February 8-11 tour includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, and Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

PM Chinh and leaders of Singapore and Brunei will discuss measures to step up cooperation in economy, trade, investment, security, defense, education, science and technology, innovation, digital economy, green economy, sustainable development, and clean energy.

The visits will help foster a peaceful, stable, prosperous Southeast Asia, and a cohesive ASEAN, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said.

It will open up a series of events celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore.

Singapore ranked second among 141 nations and territories investing in Vietnam with 3,095 projects worth US$70.8 billion in 2022. Bilateral trade hit nearly US$8.3 billion in 2021 and US$9 billion in 2022.

Brunei ranked 26th among 141 nations and territories investing in Vietnam with 157 projects capitalized at a total of US$971 million. Two-way trade reached US$310 million in 2021 and US$725.8 million in 2022.