Singapore (VNA) – Relations betweenVietnam and Singapore are special, and the two sides have ironed outdifferences to seek similarities and work towards the future, someSingapore-based experts have said.

In a recent interview granted to theVietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 50th anniversary ofbilateral diplomatic ties (August 1, 1973 - 2023) and 10 years since theestablishment of the strategic partnership, Assoc. Prof. Simon Tay, Chairman ofthe Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA), held that the twocountries have obtained much progress in their relations, turning fromconfrontation to extensive and strong cooperation.

Their strategic partnership still hasmuch potential to grow, he said, noting that there are plenty of new areas inwhich they can enhance cooperation such as business partnerships, between notonly their major State-owned enterprises but also private firms. Both sides canalso explore cooperation opportunities in the fields of environment, sustainabledevelopment and, especially, digital economy.

Speaking highly of the countries’ strongcooperation within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Tay saidVietnam is an important factor of the bloc. Each ASEAN member has its owninterests and concerns but shares common benefits from regional economicintegration, which is also a priority of Singapore.

Stronger cooperation between Singaporeand Vietnam within the ASEAN framework is necessary for further promotingintra-bloc solidarity, the expert opined.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Bilveer Singhfrom the National University of Singapore perceived that Vietnam and Singaporeare unique countries in Southeast Asia and ASEAN. Despite ups and downs intheir relations, they have found similarities.

For Singapore, Vietnam is a “gold mine”with numerous opportunities while for Vietnam, Singapore is clearly a partner ofpotential win-win cooperation. Bilateral ties have been developing well, butmuch potential remain untapped, according to him.

Singh said green economy is a field Singaporeis working towards, and it is encouraging that the two countries signed acooperation deal on this area during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s officialvisit to this city state in February 2023.

The greening of bilateral relationsacross the board, including connections between the countries’ people,agencies, sectors, and governments, is a completely right direction for thesake of both peoples, he went on.

He noted that in the long term, theVietnam - Singapore strategic partnership should be further reinforced, andwith the existing political trust, their relations will only get better.

If the twosides step up collaboration in the defence industry, including sharing moredefence information and technology, that will be an important sign of mutualtrust under their strategic partnership, the expert said.

Amid international and regionaluncertainties, the challenges ahead will help Singapore and Vietnam work togethermore closely as benefits from collaboration and cooperation are obvious, Singhnoted, expressing his delight that both sides have had many complementaritiesand much cooperation and created what have been seen in bilateral ties today./.