On her first day in the position of trade counselor, Ms Chiong said that the HCM City Investment and Trade Promotion Centre will cooperate with International Enterprises Singapore to organise a touring programme entitled "Singapore: Our Housing Story," scheduled for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in October.

Ms Chiong, who is also director of IE Singapore's HCM City branch, said that IE Singapore will send a Singapore business delegation to Vietnam "to explore the possibility of participating in this sector”, as well as other business co-operation opportunities in the country.

The programme will include a seminar to share Singapore's experience in the area of master planning and urban development, housing and township development, and a seminar on green urban living environment.

Kiu Thai Ker, former CEO and chief planner of the Singapore Urban Redevelopment Authority, will be a keynote speaker at the seminars to be held at the Daewoo Hotel in Hanoi on October 17 and at the Caravelle Hotel in HCM City on October 19.