The Hanoi College of Commerce and Tourism and the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan in Vietnam on July 4 hosted the "Pakistan Tourism Day".

Under the theme "Pakistan – the hidden gem of South Asia: Discover tourism potential", the event aimed to showcase the natural beauty, Buddhist cultural heritage, and tourism cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and Pakistan.

Attendees included ambassadors from Pakistan, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Sri Lanka, and representatives from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, research institutes, international organizations, tourism businesses, and associations.

The event welcomed Dr. Trinh Thi Thu Ha, Secretary of the Party Committee and Rector of the college, along with faculty members and students majoring in tourism, hospitality, and commerce.

Some 70 Vietnamese travel companies participated both in person and online, showing strong interest in exploring Pakistan as a promising yet relatively unfamiliar destination.

According to Ha, with over 60 years of vocational training experience, the college sees internationalization of education as a core strategy.

HCCT aims not only to train highly skilled workers but also to nurture global citizens capable of adapting to multicultural environments and contributing to international integration.

In recent years, the college has partnered with various embassies to organize cultural, tourism, and culinary exchange programs, expanding students' and lecturers' horizons and strengthening international connections.

The "Pakistan Tourism Day" was not only an opportunity to promote Pakistan's tourism potential but also a cultural, educational, and economic bridge that fosters mutual understanding and opens up new avenues for cooperation between Vietnam, Pakistan, and other countries.

Ha noted that the timing of the event – just days before Vietnam Tourism Day on July 9 – offered a meaningful moment to reflect on the development of Vietnam's tourism industry.

She added that exploring Pakistan was also a journey of appreciating the unique cultural values of humanity, which is the essence of tourism: connection, discovery, and understanding.

The rector reiterated the college's commitment to promoting international cooperation, enhancing tourism training quality, and providing students with opportunities to explore the world and improve their professional skills through such programs.

During the event, Pakistani Ambassador to Vietnam Kohdayar Marri presented an overview of his country's tourism development strategy, with a focus on its rich Buddhist heritage.

He highlighted the Gandhara region as the cradle of ancient Buddhist civilization and shared heartfelt reflections on Pakistan's untamed beauty and vibrant experiences.

Participants exchanged insights and explored the immense potential of Pakistan's majestic landscapes and cultural treasures.

Second Secretary for Political, Economic, and Cultural Affairs at the Vietnamese Embassy in Pakistan, Pham Hong Quang, noted that Vietnam and Pakistan have maintained 50 years of friendly and cooperative ties based on trust, mutual respect, and growing cultural and economic exchange.

Bilateral trade has exceeded US$850 million, and people-to-people exchanges have flourished, further deepening the relationship between the two countries.

Quang also reaffirmed both countries' commitment to strengthening tourism cooperation, following a meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Saudi Arabia.

He said that Vietnam is willing to share its experience in tourism development.

According to Quang, key cooperation opportunities include launching direct flights between the two countries, sharing best practices in tourism training, and organizing cultural and educational exchange programs.

"Pakistan Tourism Day" at HCCT was not just a tourism promotion event, it also served as a vivid example of the value of international cooperation in vocational education.

The event helped strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and Pakistan and opened practical opportunities for student exchanges, training collaboration, and tourism development.

It also gave HCCT students a chance to broaden their global outlook and cultivate a spirit of curiosity and international engagement right from the classroom.