**Vietnam Proposes Enhanced Cultural Collaboration with Pakistan, Focusing on Shared Buddhist Heritage**
Vietnam has put forward a comprehensive initiative to strengthen its cultural and diplomatic partnership with Pakistan, centering on their shared Buddhist heritage and the potential to develop faith-based tourism between the two countries. The proposal emerged during a meeting in Islamabad between Mr. Quang, Second Secretary and Head of Economic and Cultural Diplomacy at the Embassy of Vietnam, and Pakistan’s Minister for National Heritage & Culture, Mr. Aurangzeb Khan Khichi.
During discussions, Mr. Quang underlined Vietnam’s ancient civilization and its enduring Buddhist legacy, emphasizing the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage as a cornerstone of bilateral cooperation. He described the meeting as a crucial first step toward deepened friendship, quoting, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.”
A key proposal involved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pakistan’s Taxila Museum and leading Vietnamese institutions, including the Vietnam National Museum of History and the Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City. The envisioned MoU would facilitate traveling exhibitions, such as a planned “Buddhist Art Along the Silk Road” display that would juxtapose masterpieces from the historic Taxila region with Vietnamese artifacts—shedding new light on centuries of spiritual and cultural interconnection.
Beyond exhibitions, the Vietnamese delegation recommended the regular exchange of curators, conservators, and archaeologists to promote effective heritage management. The partnership would also include the development of educational programs on Buddhist iconography and archaeological techniques, fostering links between students, researchers, and the general public in both countries.
Further collaboration would involve joint publications and research projects exploring historical and religious connections between Gandhara—an ancient region encompassing parts of present-day Pakistan and Afghanistan—and early Vietnam. Tourism was another focal point, with plans to design specialized Buddhist heritage tours linking Taxila’s UNESCO World Heritage sites with Vietnam’s key Buddhist landmarks, aimed at attracting international pilgrims and cultural tourists.
Highlighting the broader economic and social benefits, Mr. Quang stated that such cultural cooperation would create “new opportunities for local communities, artisans, and entrepreneurs.” He signaled Vietnam’s readiness to work with Pakistan on tourism development, site manager training, and the global digitization and promotion of cultural assets.
The significance of this partnership is underscored by the unparalleled collections of Buddhist art preserved in both countries. Taxila Museum’s renowned Gandharan art and the rich Buddhist legacy preserved in Vietnamese museums together offer a unique opportunity to illuminate shared South and Southeast Asian roots.
Mr. Quang concluded with an invitation for Pakistani counterparts to move promptly toward formalizing the collaboration, remarking, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” He characterized the initiative as a positive force for peace, mutual understanding, and regional cooperation.
Responding positively, Minister Khichi affirmed Pakistan’s strong interest in expanding heritage and cultural ties. He noted Pakistan’s existing agreements with over 80 countries and stated, “Your proposals are very important, and we will consider them on a priority basis.” He expressed admiration for Vietnam’s cultural values and committed to swiftly drafting and signing the proposed MoUs.
Secretary National Heritage and Culture Division, Asad Rehman Gillani, elaborated on Pakistan’s vast civilizational history—highlighting sites such as Mohenjo-Daro, Harappa, Gandhara, and the prominent Buddhist stupas at Takht-i-Bahi and Taxila. He stressed the potential for synergy through tourism, proposing a practical framework for collaboration.
Adventure tourism also featured in discussions. Minister Khichi highlighted Pakistan’s globally renowned high peaks, inviting Vietnamese mountaineers and climbers to explore the country’s mountain ranges and committing to world-class arrangements for foreign tourists. Mr. Quang reciprocated with admiration for K2 and spoke positively about the resilience of the Pakistani people.
Both delegations agreed to appoint designated focal persons and to schedule a series of follow-up meetings to drive the partnership forward. A milestone outcome of the meeting was the mutual agreement to initiate direct flights between Vietnam and Islamabad, aiming to facilitate travel, tourism, and greater people-to-people exchange.
To further consolidate cultural ties, Minister Khichi invited the Vietnamese Embassy to participate in Lok Virsa, one of Pakistan’s largest cultural festivals, encouraging broader international engagement to promote cultural understanding. He also proposed a collaborative Gandhara Exhibition, to highlight the historic links between the two nations.
Usman Shah, CEO of NIFTYSPHERE INSTITUTE, who was present at the meeting, drew attention to the tourism potential of the Shah Allah Ditta caves. He suggested that their development could attract significant Buddhist tourism and make a substantial contribution to Pakistan’s growing tourism sector.
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing optimism for a new chapter of cultural cooperation, with tangible plans underway to deepen bilateral ties and showcase the historic Buddhist connection between Vietnam and Pakistan to the wider world.
