In a significant move to strengthen bilateral relations, Vietnam has proposed a collaborative initiative with Pakistan to boost faith-based and cultural tourism, given their shared Buddhist heritage.
The proposal was put forth today by Ambassador of Vietnam Embassy Pham Anh Tuan during a meeting with Pakistan's Minister for National Heritage & Culture Aurangzeb Khan Khichi.
The Ambassador highlighted Vietnam's millennia-old civilization and rich Buddhist history, underscoring its commitment to preserving both tangible and intangible cultural heritage. "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," he stated, emphasising that today's meeting marks a crucial stride in the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The Vietnamese official proposed several key areas of collaboration, including the promotion of Buddhist pilgrimage tours, cultural festivals and joint heritage projects. A concrete step put forward was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Taxila Museum in Pakistan and leading Vietnamese museums, such as the Vietnam National Museum of History and the Museum of Vietnamese History in Ho Chi Minh City.
The MOU aims to facilitate traveling exhibitions that would showcase the rich Buddhist art and heritage of both countries. An example cited was a special exhibition titled "Buddhist Art Along the Silk Road," featuring masterpieces from Taxila alongside Vietnamese artifacts, offering a "window into the past" and a deeper appreciation of their interconnected histories.
The proposed partnership extends beyond exhibitions to include facilitating regular exchanges of curators, conservators and archaeologists to share expertise in heritage management and preservation techniques.
Developing joint programmes for students, researchers, and the public on Buddhist iconography, archaeological techniques, and heritage conservation.
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