Vietnam weighs Singapore diplomatic upgrade as Lee visits

China risks make Vietnam more of a destination for manufacturing, solar power

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, left, and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh: Their nations are increasingly intertwined as multinationals send capital to Vietnam via the low-tax island. © AFP/Jiji

LIEN HOANG, Nikkei staff writer

August 28, 2023 20:06 JST

HO CHI MINH CITY -- Vietnam is considering an upgrade to its diplomatic ties with Singapore, putting the city-state in the top diplomatic echelon, on par with China and Russia.

Hosting Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday, Vietnam said the countries are weighing a comprehensive strategic partnership. That would be one rung up from their current strategic partnership, a status that the U.S. also is looking to establish with Vietnam, with President Joe Biden tentatively slated to visit next month.