SINGAPORE — The VIETSTAR Institute of Management and Consulting (VIETSTAR) and the Singapore Institute of Directors (SID) signed a memorandum of understanding on January 29 in Singapore to deepen strategic cooperation, with the presence of Lim Boon Heng, former Singapore Cabinet Minister and former chairman and senior advisor of Temasek Holdings.

Under the MoU, the two organisations will cooperate in three areas: co-organising the Việt Nam–Singapore Board Forum (VSBF); empowering C-level executives and board directors and transforming boards of Vietnamese enterprises through training and cross-border networking; and developing a recognition system for business leaders and companies that demonstrate excellence in board directorship and corporate governance.

The VSBF serves as a regional platform for learning and collaboration among Vietnamese and Singaporean board directors, supporting sustainable development and fostering partnerships across Southeast Asia and beyond.

VIETSTAR and SID will co-organise the sixth VSBF in Hải Phòng and Hạ Long Bay from June 25 to 27. Lim, who has supported previous editions of the forum, will serve as senior advisor to VSBF 2026.

The forum, themed “The Future Enterprise,” will explore how directors can align profit, purpose, and performance to achieve sustainable growth in a fast-changing world.

Beyond the forum, SID will continue to partner with VIETSTAR to deliver customised board-level programmes and whole-of-board solutions for Vietnamese enterprises, focusing on sustainable development, AI and emerging technologies, and effective board dynamics. Since 2022, joint programmes have trained more than 100 board chairs, directors, and C-level executives, including participants from PetroVietnam.

SID will also share its experience in organising corporate awards to help VIETSTAR develop a recognition system that uplifts the directorship profession and promotes good corporate governance practices among Vietnamese companies.

“In a fractured and fragile world, boards must embrace stewardship grounded in long-term value – doing well, doing right, and doing good – to help build a sustainable future for ASEAN,” Lim said, adding that the VSBF serves as a trusted bridge across borders and sectors.

Phạm Thị Thu Hằng, CEO of VIETSTAR, said over the past five years, VSBF has evolved into a leading regional platform for action.

“By upgrading our partnership with the Singapore Institute of Directors, we are not just discussing good governance, new technology, and sustainable finance, we are actively empowering Vietnamese C-suite leaders to operationalise sustainability. In the era of the 'Future Enterprise,' our goal is to provide the strategic roadmap and global network necessary for businesses to align profit with purpose and achieve truly resilient, long-term growth," she added.

Terence Quek, CEO of SID, said the expanded partnership with VIETSTAR would strengthen cross-border learning and networking, helping Vietnamese and Singaporean directors become more competitive regionally and globally. — VNS