Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan will make an introductory visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from 25 to 27 October 2016.
In Hanoi, Minister Balakrishnan will meet Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan, and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, who will also host lunch for Minister Balakrishnan. Minister Balakrishnan will also meet Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan.
Minister Balakrishnan and Deputy Prime Minister Minh will sign a renewed Agreement on the Study Visit Programme and Executive Education Programme for Senior CPV Officials from 2017 to 2019. This Agreement will facilitate continued exchanges between Singapore and Vietnam through the participation of senior CPV officials in study visits and executive education programmes in Singapore on topics such as public administration, sustainable development, economic development, trade facilitation, education and training, transport management, technology and international issues. This Agreement builds on earlier Agreements signed in 2010 and 2012.
Minister Balakrishnan will also attend a reception for the Singaporean community in Hanoi.
In Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC), Minister Balakrishnan will meet and be hosted to lunch by Chairman of the People’s Committee of HCMC Nguyen Thanh Phong.
Minister Balakrishnan will be accompanied by Mrs Joy Balakrishnan and officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
SINGAPORE
24 OCTOBER 2016