1. Political Relations:
Vietnam and Pakistan officially established diplomatic relations on 8 November 1972.
Pakistan opened its Embassy in Hanoi in 1973. However, due to economic reasons, Pakistan closed the embassy in 1980. Vietnam also opened her embassy in Islamabad in 1978 and had to close it down in 1984 due to her own economic difficulty.
The bilateral relations between Vietnam and Pakistan in recent years have been considerably improved. Both countries’ leaders expressed their willingness to strengthen the existing relations, not only in the political sphere but also in other areas such as trade and economics, and exchange more visits from one to another’s country, including both high-ranking and working visits.
Pakistan reopened her embassy in Hanoi in October 2000. Vietnam also reopened her embassy in Islamabad in December 2005 and trade office in Karachi in November 2005.
a. Vietnamese leaders’ visits to Pakistan:
In March 2004, President Tran Duc Luong, at the invitation of President Pervez Musharraf, visited Pakistan. There were also several visits made by Vietnamese ministries to Pakistan. Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung made an official visit to Pakistan in April 2002. Deputy Trade Minister Do Nhu Dinh visited Pakistan in October 2003. Also, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Bui Ba Bong led a delegation to Pakistan in April 2004. Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, also paid a visit to Pakistan in April 2005 to attend the Asian Cooperation Dialogue meeting held in Islamabad.

b. Pakistani leaders’ visits to Vietnam:
General Pervez Musharraf, Chief Executive of Pakistan paid an official visit to Vietnam in May 2001. Deputy Trade Minister Waqar Masood Khan in July 2003 visited Vietnam and co-hosted with Deputy Trade Minister Do Nhu Dinh the 1st Joint Committee Meeting between Vietnam and Pakistan.
The two countries have also coordinated well in international fora. Vietnam supported Pakistan’s candidacy for the UNSC non-permanent seat in the term 2002-2003 and Pakistan’s participation in the ARF in July 2004. Pakistan supported Vietnam’s accession to WTO and later her candidacy for the UNSC non-permanent seat in the term 2008-2009.

2. In the fields of Economics, Trade, Investment, Science-Technology, and Culture:
The two countries had modest economic ties since the 1970s. Pakistan imported Vietnamese cement and exported fertilizers, jute bags and the Sind cow breed of Pakistan to Vietnam. However, since 1995, both countries have expressed their wishes to push up the economic ties and explore other areas for the bilateral cooperation, such as culture and education. Pakistan wanted to export knitting machines, thread spinning machines and sugar refinery machines to Vietnam, and send Pakistani experts in the petroleum sector to work in Vietnam. Vietnam and Pakistan also exchanged lists of export and import products.
In early 1998, Vietnam sent a group of businessmen to Pakistan. The group had a meeting with the Ministry of Commerce of Pakistan and visited various factories and companies to study the economic environment and opportunities to do business with Pakistani companies.  
The bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Pakistan considerably increased in the recent years. From the total amount of US$ 10 million in 1999, the trade turnover increased to US$ 27 million in 2000, US$ 30 million in 2001, US$ 47 million in 2002, US$ 50 million in 2003, US$ 69 million in 2004, US$ 75 million in 2005 and over US$ 90 million in 2006.
There are still great potentials for Vietnam and Pakistan to further enhance the multifaceted cooperation, such as in the areas of trade and investment, IT and software industry, agriculture, culture and education.
3. Agreements between Vietnam and Pakistan:
1. Trade Agreement (May 2001);
2. MOU on the Establishment of the Joint Commission between Vietnam and Pakistan (April 2002);
3. Joint Declaration between the governments of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (March 2004);
4. Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation (March 2004);
5. Framework Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation (March 2004);
6. MOU on Consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs (March 2004);
7. MOU between the State Bank of Vietnam and the State Bank of Pakistan (March 2004).
8. Agreement on Fisheries and Aquaculture Cooperation (June 2006); and
9. Agreement on Visa Exemption for Holders of Diplomat and Official Passport (January 2007).

October 2007