News Desk
Naveed Ahmad Khan
— Islamabad witnessed a vibrant cultural evening as Mr. and Mrs. Pham Anh Tuan, Ambassador of Vietnam to Pakistan, hosted a reception at the Embassy to celebrate the Vietnamese Lunar Year, also known as the Community Tet Celebration. The event, themed “Year of the Horse,” brought together friends of Vietnam from across Pakistan, offering a blend of tradition, hospitality and shared joy.
Deputy Head of Mission Mr. Thang Truong, along with Embassy staff and their families, warmly received the guests. Former Pakistani ambassadors to Vietnam, ambassadors and high commissioners from ASEAN countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Brunei, Myanmar and Indonesia, as well as representatives from civil society, the business community and chambers of commerce, were among the participants.
The highlight of the evening was the Lucky Tree, a cherished Vietnamese tradition. Guests took part by plucking beautifully prepared red envelopes hanging like fruits from the tree. Containing lucky money, the envelopes symbolize good fortune for the coming year. The tradition drew keen interest from Pakistani guests, many of whom expressed a desire to adopt the custom.
Traditional Vietnamese soup and delicacies were served, delighting guests who have come to appreciate the culinary excellence at Vietnam’s cultural events. The hosts appeared in colorful traditional attire, drawing admiration for its intricate designs and vibrant hues.
In his address, Ambassador Pham Anh Tuan welcomed members of the Vietnamese community living, studying, working and doing business in Pakistan, along with friends of the Embassy, to gather at what he described as “the shared home of Viet Nam on Pakistani soil” to celebrate the Lunar New Year, enjoy familiar flavors of the homeland and remember their country and families.
He said that over the past year Viet Nam had achieved significant and comprehensive accomplishments. Macroeconomic stability was maintained, national defense and sovereignty safeguarded, social welfare ensured and living standards steadily improved. Viet Nam’s international position and prestige, he noted, continued to rise.
The ambassador informed that Viet Nam remained a bright spot of growth in the region and the world, with economic growth exceeding 8 percent, the highest in more than 15 years. He said Viet Nam ranked among the world’s top 15 destinations for foreign direct investment, attracting nearly USD 40 billion in FDI, with total import-export turnover surpassing USD 900 billion. GDP had exceeded USD 500 billion and GDP per capita had crossed USD 5,000, officially placing Viet Nam in the group of upper-middle-income countries.
He said these achievements reflected the collective efforts of the Party, the people and the armed forces in advancing renewal, reform and international integration, laying a solid foundation for a new stage of development. Referring to the recent 14th National Congress of the Party, he said the country was undergoing a strong transformation across many fields, creating a firm base for an era of Viet Nam’s rise, as affirmed by General Secretary Tô Lâm.
In this broader context, he said, friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Pakistan had continued to grow in an active and substantive manner. The year 2025 witnessed notable progress in bilateral economic and trade cooperation, with two-way trade nearing USD 900 million and moving toward a target of USD 1 billion in 2026.
He recalled that during the visit of Viet Nam’s Minister of Industry and Trade to Pakistan in October 2025, negotiations were officially launched on the Viet Nam–Pakistan Preferential Trade Agreement (VPPTA). Several rounds of technical exchanges had since been held, and efforts were underway to conclude and sign the agreement in 2026.
The signing of the VPPTA, he said, would create favorable conditions for businesses of both countries by reducing tariffs on strategic products, lowering costs, enhancing competitiveness and opening new avenues of cooperation. The agreement would benefit not only state agencies but also enterprises and members of the Vietnamese community living and working in Pakistan.
Over the past year, the Embassy of Viet Nam in Pakistan had carried out various activities to promote bilateral friendship and cooperation, worked closely with Pakistani ministries and local authorities, organized conferences and seminars on trade and investment promotion, and promoted Vietnamese culture through programs featuring áo dài, cuisine and traditional values.
An important milestone was the opening of Viet Nam’s first Honorary Consulate Office in Lahore, which has contributed to trade promotion, citizen protection and stronger links with the Vietnamese community in Pakistan.
Although the Vietnamese community in Pakistan is small and geographically dispersed, mainly in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, the ambassador said it remained united, law-abiding and committed to preserving Vietnamese cultural identity. He appreciated the community’s support and participation in Embassy activities over the past year.
For the first time, outstanding overseas Vietnamese representatives participated in the “Xuân Quê Hương” program, and he expressed hope that a Viet Nam Association in Pakistan would be established to further strengthen community bonds and mutual support.
Looking ahead to 2026, he said the Embassy would continue to implement political, economic and cultural initiatives, promote exchanges of delegations at all levels, and expand people-to-people exchanges and tourism between the two countries. He added that the Embassy would remain a shared home and a strong bridge for the community.
He observed that a new spring was arriving in the homeland and in the hearts of Vietnamese abroad, and despite challenges, the potential for development of Viet Nam and Viet Nam–Pakistan relations was immense.
He expressed confidence that with solidarity and mutual affection, the Vietnamese community in Pakistan would continue to support one another and promote the positive image of Vietnamese people and culture among Pakistani friends.
On the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the Horse 2026, he extended best wishes to members of the Vietnamese community and their families for good health, happiness, peace, prosperity and success.
As the evening concluded, guests departed with fond memories of Vietnamese hospitality, culture and cuisine, expressing hope for continued engagement and friendship between the two nations.
