By Khawaja Hamza
HANOI, Pakistan and Vietnam have agreed to explore practical measures to expand tourism cooperation, strengthen business-to-business ties, develop joint tourism products and improve air connectivity between the two countries.
The understanding emerged at the Vietnam–Pakistan Tourism B2B Matching and Business Networking event held at the Golden Lake in Hanoi, bringing together around 100 Vietnamese tourism businesses and nearly 20 Pakistani tourism companies, along with representatives of tourism authorities, ministries, associations, airlines and other tourism stakeholders from both countries.
Speaking at the event, Ambassador of Pakistan to Vietnam Kohdayar Marri said Pakistan and Vietnam enjoy longstanding and friendly relations, while tourism provides an important avenue for bringing the peoples of the two countries closer.
He welcomed the Pakistani delegation comprising representatives of the Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation (PTDC), Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO), Pakistani tour operators and other tourism stakeholders, and appreciated the participation of Vietnamese tourism authorities, airlines, travel companies and industry representatives.
The ambassador said both countries possess diverse and distinctive tourism attractions. Pakistan offers majestic mountains, rich cultural heritage, historical sites and diverse landscapes, while Vietnam is known for its beautiful coastline, natural attractions, cultural heritage and vibrant tourism destinations.
He said the B2B meeting provided a platform for tourism sectors of both countries to exchange market information, establish business contacts, develop joint tourism packages and explore opportunities to increase tourist flows between Pakistan and Vietnam.
Air connectivity was identified as a key area for further cooperation. Ambassador Marri said improved and convenient connectivity could play an important role in facilitating tourism and creating stronger commercial links between the two countries. He encouraged tourism stakeholders and airline representatives to explore practical possibilities for enhancing connectivity.
In an interview, Ambassador Marri said the most important conditions for increasing tourist exchanges at the present stage were better air connectivity, greater ease of travel, stronger destination promotion and closer cooperation between tourism businesses.
He said Pakistan and Vietnam had considerable potential as emerging tourism markets for each other, but this potential needed to be supported by convenient travel options and greater awareness of the attractions and experiences available in both countries.
According to the ambassador, direct or more convenient flight connections, streamlined visa facilitation and targeted promotion could make travel between the two countries more accessible and attractive. He also stressed that cooperation between tour operators and airlines was essential for developing competitive and practical travel packages.
He outlined several practical measures, including strengthening visa facilitation, exploring direct or charter flight opportunities and improving information-sharing on travel requirements and tourism products.
The two sides could also organize joint tourism promotion campaigns, familiarization trips for tour operators and media, and regular B2B meetings to establish stronger business connections.
Ambassador Marri said Pakistani and Vietnamese tour operators could cooperate in developing joint packages covering cultural, heritage, nature, adventure, religious and halal-friendly tourism, while airlines and relevant authorities could explore opportunities to improve air connectivity.
The programme also focused on Halal tourism and services friendly to Muslim travellers, with Vietnamese businesses encouraged to develop tourism products suitable for Pakistani visitors and Pakistani companies introducing new destinations and experiences to the Vietnamese market.
A key objective of the initiative was to translate tourism surveys and promotional activities into concrete commercial outcomes, including actual tourism products, business partnerships and tourist groups travelling between the two countries.
During the event, three memoranda of understanding (MoUs) were signed.
The first was between the Hanoi UNESCO Travel Club (HUTC) and the Pakistan Association of Tour Operators (PATO) to strengthen cooperation and travel-industry networks between the two countries.
The second was signed between Vietnam Pakistan Investment and Tourism Trading Joint Stock Company and Travel Walji’s (Pvt.) Limited to develop joint tourism markets and products.
The third agreement involved Airblue Limited, VTours Vietnam Company Limited and Vietnam Pakistan Investment and Tourism Trading Joint Stock Company, covering cooperation in aviation services, tourism, market development and air cargo transportation.
Ambassador Marri expressed the hope that the B2B meetings would result in concrete business contacts, partnerships and joint initiatives. He said the Embassy of Pakistan in Hanoi remained committed to supporting the tourism industry and facilitating stronger cooperation between Pakistani and Vietnamese businesses.
The initiative is expected to provide a platform for closer engagement between tourism companies of the two countries and help convert their considerable tourism potential into greater two-way tourist flows, joint products and sustained business cooperation.
