Singapore at a Glance

- Name of the country: the Republic of Singapore

- Capital city: Singapore

- National Day: 09/8/1965

- GDP: 292.74 billion USD (2015- according to Tradingeconomics.com)

- Income per capita: ranking third worldwide (61,567.28 USD (2015))

- Area: 692.7 sq km including 64 islands (1 big island and 63 isles)

- Population: 5,696,506 (the newest data of 2016- according to Worldmeters.info)

-  Languages: with its diversity of ethnic groups, Singapore is a country of the most various use of languages over the world with four main languages including English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil of which Malay is the official language used nationwide.

- National anthem of Singapore was written in Malay language; however, not many young people can speak this kind of language. They use English in communication, studying and working. Children are taught English as starting going to school while their mother-tongue language is used as their second language. Hence, almost Singaporean can speak fluently both languages.

As getting familiar to different languages, local people can speak more than one language. In their casual speech, they often mix many kinds of languages in one sentence. This mixture creates a unique language called Singlish, which is mixed from Malay, English and Mandarin, and considered a distinguished feature of Singaporean language.

The Embassy of Singapore in Hanoi, Vietnam

Address: No 41 & 43, Tran Phu, Ba Dinh, Hanoi

Tel: +84-4-38489168

Fax: +84-4-38489178

Email: singemb_han@mfa.sg

The Embassy of Vietnam in Singapore

Address: 10 Leedon Park, Singapore 267887

Tel: +65 64625938 (Office)
Consular affairs: +65 64625994
Commercial affairs: +65 64683747
Investment Division: +65 66967709
Defense Attaché: +65 66692467

Email:vnemb.sg@mofa.gov.vn

Political system: The politics of Singapore has taken the form of a parliamentary representative democratic republic since 1959. The first Constitution was enacted on 3 June 1959, amended in 1965 and 1996. The president is elected for 6-year term. The latest election was on 27 August 2011. Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister are appointed by the president.

The Legislature: includes 5-year term unicameral Parliament with 84 members (MPs). Besides, 9 MPs are appointed and three candidates from the opposite party winning the votes nearly as much as the election winner are also chosen as a MP.

+ President: Tony Tan Keng Yam (since 1 September 2011)

+ Prime Minister: Lee Hsien Loong (since 12 August 2004)

Culture

Malay culture can be seen in religious ideology and customs of Singaporean people. Islam and Sultan have maintained solidarity and complacent attitude in normal life of Singaporean people. Malay people often invite almost all people in their village to their wedding. After wedding party, guests are given a boiled egg with the wish of abundant children for new couples.

For Singaporean people, pointing at someone with your index finger, holding tight your thump or middle finger are consider seriously rude gestures.

Never place chopsticks on the bowl or plate. After finishing your meal, place chopsticks in a rest, or on a separate plate. If you work in naval service, fishery sector or love boating, when having meals, you should not turn over fish on dish because this is compared to boat overturn.

On the first days of New year, Singaporean people never clean up their house or wash their hair as they believe they will lose their luck by doing that. They avoid breaking their domestic stuff especially mirrors because it is considered indication of bad luck. They do not wear white clothes nor use needle or scissors because these can bring bad things. 

Singaporean people consider these numbers “4”, “7”, “13”, “37” and “79” unlucky numbers. 7 is the most hated number. Singaporean often avoid this number.

In Singaporean’s conception, black is an unlucky color and they do not like violet as well. They love red because they believe this color symbolizes solemnity, enthusiasm, joy, brevity and tolerance. They also like blue and green.

Islam is the main religion of Singapore, which prohibits drinking, eating pork and food from pork.

Singaporean people do not support smoking. Smoking is banned at some public places like elevator, cinema, public transport or office. Anyone violates will be punished 500 Singaporean dollars. In other places, if you want to smoke, you must ask your partners for agreement.

In casual conversations, you should not talk about win or failure, politics, racial conflicts or religious affairs but you can talk about travelling experience i.e. famous destinations or where you have traveled. The most favorite topics for Singaporean people are delicious food, hotels and restaurants.

There are some habits or beliefs protected in Singapore, which are specially concerned by the elderly despite they are not very important to young people.

Communication style of Singaporean is similar to European people. They have the same handshaking style as the European. They give name card with both hands. They are punctual, practical and straight.

Singaporean culture is dramatically impacted by Chinese, Malay and Indian cultures. This diversity is due to history of Singapore. Singapore used to be a free trading port in the 18^th century, which attracted many immigrants from China, India, Malaysia, Asia and Europe for trading, working and residence in this international peninsula.

Economy: Singapore is a strongly developed country with a free market economy of which state takes the main part. Trading environment is open without corruption. Price is kept stable. Singapore is one of the countries having highest income per capita rate globally. Although it is a new industrial country (NIC) with developed economy (ranks the top over the world) and a trading and financial centre of the South East Asia, its economy depends on other economies like the US, Japan and the West.

With benefits from export of electronic and chemical products and service providing, Singapore imports natural resources and crude products. Hence, Singapore is considered an export and import centre operating under the procedure: purchasing crude products and refining them and then re-exporting. For instance, they import crude oil to refine and then export. With its strategic location of seaport, Singapore became a more competitive cargo hub than neighboring countries. Singapore is a leading country in terms of hard disc and semi-conductor manufacturing. It is also a leading oil refinery centre and logistics hub in Asia.

The major export and import markets of Singapore are Malaysia, the US, China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Tourism is a key sector of Singapore where is considered a “Shopping Heaven” for tourists. Singapore is also a leading country in terms of economic transition to knowledge economy. It is on the track of striving to become the world’s leading city, a new link between the global economy and Asian economy, a diversified and flexible economy in 2018. In order to reach these targets, the Economic Review Committee of Singapore identified six key factors including (i) broadening external relations; (ii) competitive capacity and flexibility; (iii) entrepreneurial spirit and Singaporean enterprises; (iv) two motivators: manufacturing and service; (v) human resources; (vi) restructuring).

Division of International Cooperation, DOFA