By Adnan Hameed
TWA
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The Ambassador Nguyen Tien Phong of Vietnam to Pakistan has commended the proposed Gandhara Corridor Project as a pivotal initiative for fostering regional connectivity, interfaith harmony, and cultural tourism. Speaking at the ‘Envisioning Comprehensive Pakistan-Vietnam Cooperation: Prospects and Opportunities’ event organized by the NUST Institute of Policy Studies (NIPS), Ambassador Phong emphasized the significance of the Gandhara tourism in symbolizing the shared Buddhist heritage between the two nations.
Highlighting the potential of historical archaeological sites across Pakistan, including Taxila, Peshawar, Mardan, and Swat, Ambassador Phong underscored their appeal to international tourists, particularly from Vietnam and other countries. He stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to leverage this cultural richness for mutual benefit.
Furthermore, Ambassador Phong emphasized the need for increased cultural exchanges and trade interactions between young Pakistanis and Vietnamese to fortify bilateral relations sustainably. He acknowledged the recent legislative initiative by Member National Assembly Dr. Ramesh Kumar Vankwani to establish the Gandhara Corridor, aimed at connecting Pakistan with Buddhist-majority countries, including Vietnam.
Reflecting on the longstanding diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Pakistan, Ambassador Phong expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s consistent support for Vietnam in international forums. He highlighted the potential for collaboration in various sectors, including trade, education, IT, tourism, and science and technology, with a focus on leveraging Vietnamese expertise to enhance value addition and expand exports to EU markets under free trade agreements.
In closing, Ambassador Phong commended the NUST knowledge ecosystem and identified higher education cooperation, IT technology, and science and technology collaboration as priority areas for rapid mutual gains.
