The year 2023 was kick-started by the donation of USD 100,000 by the Vietnamese Government for flood affectees in Pakistan. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

Pakistan and Vietnam have always enjoyed a pleasant relationship underpinned by shared values of friendship, peace, and development. Pakistan and Vietnam celebrated the completion of 50 years of the bilateral relationship in 2022 in a very befitting manner and organized several activities and events.

In 2023, both countries displayed the same spirit and vigour to fortify the bilateral relationship further. I would like to take this opportunity to highlight a few significant events of the year 2023 conducted by my Embassy, with a particular focus on taking initiatives in trade, tourism, information technology, and professional training.

The year 2023 was kick-started by the generous donation of USD 100,000 by the Vietnamese Government for flood affectees in Pakistan. For those unversed, Pakistan was hit by catastrophic floods at the end of 2022, submerging one-third of the country and affecting 33 million people.

This thoughtful act of Vietnam portrays the essence of amicability between the people of Pakistan and Vietnam. In the past, both countries have also extended a helping hand to each other in times of difficulty.

Another highlight of the year was my meeting with His Excellency Mr Pham Minh Chinh, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, to discuss strengthening our bilateral relationship. During the meeting, we took an overview of the bilateral relationship. We discussed proposals for improving our ties in all fields of mutual interest, including high-level exchanges, trade & investment, tourism promotion, defence cooperation and people-to-people contacts. A significant interaction abetted both countries in comparing their notes on the bilateral ties and chalking out a pragmatic way forward.

Viet Nam and Pakistan celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in November 2022. ( Embassy of Pakistan in Viet Nam)

Our two countries' dynamic economic and commercial cooperation is the most significant aspect of our bilateral ties. Due to robust efforts by the Embassy and cooperation from Vietnamese departments, our bilateral trade reached USD 904 Million, and I am sure it will surpass USD 1 billion in the near future.

Furthermore, there was an active exchange of business delegations between the two countries. I am delighted to note that a business delegation from Vietnam participated in the "ASEAN-Pakistan Business Opportunities Conference" organized by the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan in Lahore and Karachi from 07th August to 11th 2023.

The Embassy, in collaboration with the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), organized a seminar in a hybrid format with the title "TEXPO Pakistan 2023 and Trade and Investment Opportunities between Pakistan and Viet Nam" on 06th April 2023 at Headquarter of Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. As a result, the Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade led a Vietnamese delegation to attend TEXPO, Pakistan. During his visit, he called on the CEO of TDAP in Karachi to discuss ideas to enhance bilateral trade, especially in the leather and textile sectors.

From the Pakistan side, a delegation from the Board of Investment Pakistan visited Vietnam from 3rd June to 10, 2023. The delegation had several meetings at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and visited Thang Long Industrial Park II, among others. During the meetings, both sides discussed strengthening the trade relations between the two countries and mulled over strategies to step up economic cooperation.

Ambassador Samina Mehtab and a Board of Investment Pakistan delegation visited Thang Long Industrial Park. (Source: Embassy of Pakistan in Viet Nam)

As Ho Chi Minh City is the economic hub of Vietnam, to exploit the economic potential of the relationship, I also undertook a visit to Ho Chi Minh City to have a meeting with Mr Phan Van Mai, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on 04th December 2023. I had a purposeful discussion with the Chairman, during which we discussed ideas to bolster economic collaboration, tourism linkages and people-to-people contact between Pakistan and Vietnam.

The Embassy also participated in the Vietnam Saigon Fabric & Garment Accessories and Industry Expo (Saigon Fabric) and the three-day exhibition "Viet Fish 2023" held in Ho Chi Minh City in July and August, respectively. Moreover, I myself attended the Cinnamon Trade Promotion Conference held by the People's Committee of Lao Cai province in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in Bao Yen district, Lao Cai province.

Information technology is another lucrative field for cooperation between Pakistan and Vietnam. To explore possibilities in this sector, I met with Mr Nguyen Thanh Tuyen, Deputy Director General, Authority of ICT Industry, in November 2023. Consequently, the Embassy organized a Webinar titled "Information Technology Cooperation between Pakistan and Vietnam" in coordination with the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications of Pakistan on 20th December 2023 to chalk out a pragmatic plan of action for IT cooperation between the two countries.

A delegation from Pakistan participated in the 7th World Vovinam Championship from 24-30th November 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City. (Source: Embassy of Pakistan in Viet Nam)

Speakers of the webinar included His Excellency Mr. Nguyen Tien Phong, Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan, representatives from the Ministry of Information Technology & Telecommunication of Pakistan, Pakistan Software Export Board, Pakistan Software Houses Association, Pakistani software companies, Ministry of Information and Communications of Vietnam, Vietnam's Software & IT Services Association and Vietnamese IT Companies.

Professional training is a prospective field for proactive collaboration between the two countries. Six Vietnamese diplomats participated in the Short Diplomatic Course for ASEAN Diplomats 2023. Moreover, six Vietnamese bankers participated in a course organized by the National Institute of Banking and Finance, State Bank of Pakistan, in 2023.

From Pakistan, an 8-member delegation from the National School of Public Policy Pakistan undertook a study tour to Vietnam in July 2023 to study Vietnam's industrial sector and public policy. During the visit, the delegation had informative meetings with the leadership of the National Academy of Public Administration and management teams at Thang Long Industrial Park II, Daikin Air Conditioning JSC, Garco 10 Corporation, Thuong Dinh Footwear JSC and Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority.

Pakistan was indeed the seat of Buddhism, evidenced by the spectacular remnants of the Gandhara civilization scattered throughout the country. (Source: Embassy of Pakistan in Viet Nam)

I would also like to enlighten my Vietnamese friends about the rich Buddhist heritage of Pakistan. Pakistan was indeed the seat of Buddhism, evidenced by the spectacular remnants of the Gandhara civilization scattered throughout the country. Buddhist heritage sites in Taxila, Peshawar and Swat can greatly interest Vietnamese tourists.

To promote the Buddhist heritage and religious tourism in Pakistan, the Government of Pakistan organized a three-day Gandhara Symposium 2023, titled "Cultural Diplomacy: Reviving Gandhara Civilization and Buddhist Heritage in Pakistan", in Islamabad from 11-13 July 2023. Most Venerable Monk Thien, along with a delegation, participated in the Symposium and also undertook visits to the Taxila Museum, Dharmarajika stupa, Peshawar Museum and Takht-i-Bahi to behold the archaeological remains of Gandhara civilization.

In defence cooperation, two officers from Pakistan defence forces participated in the United Nations Logistics Officer Course, which was co-hosted by the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations and Canada Directorate of Military Training and Cooperation from 30th October to 10th November 2023 in Ha Noi.

As far as interaction in the field of sports is concerned, a seven-member delegation from Pakistan participated in the 7th World Vovinam Championship from 24-30th November 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City. Ms Maqdas Ijaz from Pakistan's Vovinam team made us proud by winning a bronze medal in the 51 kg (Female) category.

Like Vietnamese Tet, Eid celebrations in Pakistan are also steeped in filial recognition, feasts, and colourful gatherings. (Source: The Dawn)

Considering all these collaborative activities, I am sure that if the relationship continues on the same trajectory, it will transform into a close friendship for the benefit of the people of Pakistan and Vietnam in the near future.

As the festive occasion of Tet is just around the corner, the ongoing Tet preparations in every nook and corner of Ha Noi these days make me reminiscent of the Eid celebrations back in Pakistan. In Pakistan, cleaning, decorating, and sprucing up are significant parts of Eid preparation.

Like Vietnamese Tet, Eid celebrations in Pakistan are also steeped in filial recognition, feasts, and colourful gatherings. On Eid, people give cash and presents to their loved ones called Eidi, the same way Vietnamese give each other "Li Xi" on Tet. Pakistani people cook and rejoice in unique Eid dishes such as sheer khurma and Kheer Eid, like Vietnamese people enjoy banh Chung and banh Tet.

In the end, I would like to wish my Vietnamese friends a very joyous Tet and hope that the upcoming year may be full of happiness, health and success for everyone.