At the first Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue Forum held on August 25, 2023, Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology, Vu Hai Quan, proposed a connection between the VNeID and Singpass digital identity platforms. This initiative seeks to establish a common digital space within ASEAN and lead the digital transformation efforts of both countries.

Minister Vu Hai Quan emphasized that science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and talent would be the pillars of a new phase of cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore. He highlighted the importance of connecting the digital systems of both nations, referring to the proposal made by General Secretary and President To Lam to enhance the integration of Vietnam's VNeID with Singapore's Singpass.

“This is not just about a technology platform; it is a strategic vision for connecting the two countries in a shared digital space, aiming for broader connections across the ASEAN bloc,” he stated.

Introduced in 2023, Singpass began as a verification system allowing citizens to access various government electronic services with a single account. It has since evolved into Singapore's national digital identity system, enabling citizens to authenticate their identities for both government and business digital services.

In addition to the digital platform connection, the two countries aim to enhance cooperation in training personnel on digital transformation and technology management. A specific step in this direction is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026, when Vietnam's Ministry of Science and Technology will collaborate with Singaporean partners to implement a program to improve the management capabilities in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation for leaders of the Science and Technology Departments across 34 provinces and cities.

Minister Vu Hai Quan outlined three major directions for scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries, one of which includes leading digital transformation efforts. He also proposed upgrading the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) into a technology ecosystem. Established in 1996, VSIP is a joint venture industrial park, and the minister suggested that new-generation VSIPs could integrate R&D centers, laboratories, testing centers, training facilities, technology enterprises, and startups, transforming into hubs for industrial AI testing, robotics, smart manufacturing, logistics, clean energy, and green technology.

“We need to shift VSIP from merely a manufacturing site to a technology creation hub,” he remarked.

The next major direction involves building a cooperative model among the government, VSIP, and national universities from both countries, including the National University of Singapore, Nanyang Technological University, Hanoi National University, and Ho Chi Minh City National University. Under this proposal, VSIP would provide businesses with real-world challenges and market opportunities, while Singaporean universities would offer international knowledge, research capabilities, and global networks. Vietnamese universities would contribute human resources, research capabilities, and an innovation ecosystem, with both governments establishing the initial framework and resources, and businesses participating from the outset.

Minister Vu Hai Quan believes that in this new phase, both sides need a new symbol of cooperation linked to science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and talent. Success in this partnership will be measured by the number of technologies developed collaboratively, jointly commercialized products, trained talents, and new values created for the citizens and businesses of both nations.

During the event, Singapore's Minister of Communications and Information, Josephine Teo, also proposed focusing cooperation on areas such as AI, data, and digital government. While individual ASEAN countries may lack large datasets, combined efforts could yield a larger dataset for developing reliable AI models.

The Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Dialogue Forum, themed 'Elevating Cooperation in Personnel Training and Technology Connection between Vietnam and Singapore,' was held as part of the strategic dialogue between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the People's Action Party of Singapore on August 25 in Singapore.