On the occasion of the successful conclusion of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Industry and Trade Newspaper held an interview with H.E. Kohdayar Marri, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Pakistan to Vietnam, to discuss Vietnam’s growing international standing, the outlook for Vietnam - Pakistan cooperation, and expectations for the upcoming Year of the Horse.

Affirming Vietnam’s role and standing

– The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam has reaffirmed the country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and deep, comprehensive international integration. How do you assess Vietnam’s increasingly prominent role and position within the current regional and international cooperation architecture?

Ambassador Kohdayar Marri: I believe Vietnam is increasingly asserting its position in a multipolar world, grounded in a solid foundation both within Southeast Asia and on a global scale, across economic, political, and diplomatic dimensions. This demonstrates that Vietnam will not rest on its current achievements, but will continue to advance, gradually emerging as a leading member of the multipolar world and the international community.

With such standing, Vietnam is well placed to make meaningful contributions to conflict prevention, to act as a mediator in resolving differences among nations, and to help shape the direction of other countries while addressing potential future disruptions.

This is the first Party Congress I have had the opportunity to witness in person, and I feel very fortunate to experience such a significant event. Through this, I have learned a great deal about how Vietnam operates—how its political system functions and how smoothly the transition has taken place from the 13th to the 14th Congress.

Strengthening coordination in addressing cross-border challenges

– In the face of cross-border challenges such as climate change, food security, and non-traditional security issues, and as Vietnam views international integration as extending beyond economics to encompass politics, culture, and sustainable development, how, in your view, can Vietnam, Pakistan, and other countries enhance coordination and mutual support within multilateral mechanisms, while also promoting people-to-people exchanges between the two nations?

Ambassador Kohdayar Marri: Indeed, Pakistan is confronting many challenges similar to those facing Vietnam, particularly in the areas of food security and climate change. In this regard, the difficulties encountered by our two countries share many common features. Recently, Pakistan has developed a relatively effective disaster response mechanism, with a dedicated institution capable of early intervention and close coordination with relevant ministries, agencies, and organizations to take proactive action before risks escalate.

Pakistan wishes to expand and deepen its friendship with Vietnam, working together for regional stability in areas such as climate change and food security, while moving toward a closer partnership that connects Central Asia with Southeast Asia. Through this, we can establish a resilient chain of linkages that supports one another at both bilateral and multilateral levels.

In addition, I believe that people-to-people exchanges, encompassing culture, heritage, and even religious connections, between our two countries should be elevated and maintained on a regular basis. However, all of this needs to proceed step by step. That is why, at this stage, I am focusing strongly on promoting a framework for trade cooperation, as this constitutes a vital infrastructural foundation that can pave the way for other areas.

Once an effective trade mechanism is in place between our two countries, we can certainly expand further into education, diplomacy, and culture. When the foundation is established, linkages will naturally grow stronger, allowing other areas to develop organically.

With the coordination of Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and Pakistan’s Ministry of Commerce, I am confident that these connections will continue to be reinforced, both at the government-to-government level and between our two peoples.

Expanding opportunities for bilateral trade cooperation

– At the end of 2025, Vietnam and Pakistan officially signed a Joint Statement launching negotiations on a Vietnam–Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). Could you share some initial outcomes as well as your expectations for the period ahead?

Ambassador Kohdayar Marri: I am very proud to have been directly involved in advancing the PTA process between our two countries. I worked actively to encourage Vietnam and Pakistan to reach this agreement, with the aim of building a closer alliance, particularly a trade alliance, that can enable both nations to achieve shared prosperity.

In reality, we possess tremendous potential for cooperation across many sectors that could not previously be realized due to the absence of an appropriate policy framework. With the PTA in place, I believe there will be greater interaction, more exchanges, and ultimately, enhanced prosperity for both sides.

This also represents an important step toward further deepening friendship and partnership between Pakistan and Vietnam, not only in trade, but also extending to diplomacy, disaster relief, educational exchanges, human resource development, as well as technology and information technology cooperation. There is a great deal our two countries can accomplish together, and the PTA is merely the starting point of that journey.

– As Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year approaches, do you have any message or expectations you would like to convey to the Government and people of Vietnam for the coming year?

Ambassador Kohdayar Marri: My message is to wish that the Year of the Horse brings prosperity to us all, and delivers to Vietnam continued growth, stability, and strength, along with more favorable climatic conditions so that the country will face fewer natural disasters and storms in the year ahead.

I also hope that in the Year of the Horse and the years to come, I will have further opportunities to work more closely with the Government of Vietnam, thereby strengthening the bonds between our peoples as well as between Pakistan and Vietnam.

– Thank you very much, Ambassador.