Party chief To Lam’s visit marks new chapter in Vietnam–Bulgaria relations

THE HANOI TIMES — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) To Lam was welcomed in Sofia on October 23 [local time] to begin an official visit to Bulgaria, marking the first visit by a Vietnamese Party leader to the Banlkan country in 50 years.

At the invitation of President Rumen Radev, the three-day visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and demonstrates growing political trust and the shared commitment to deepen multifaceted cooperation between the two nations.

At the official welcome ceremony at Alexander Nevski Square, President Rumen Radev and his spouse Desislava Radeva hosted the Vietnamese leader and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly with full military honors before the two leaders held talks and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents.

Deputy Minister of Vietnam’s Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said the visit carries significance and opens new prospects for collaboration between Vietnam and Bulgaria and the Balkan region.

The two sides would outline orientations in potential fields, including information technology, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, green transition and biomedicine, while fostering their roles as gateways linking ASEAN with Bulgaria and Vietnam with the European Union.

She said that the visit would create new momentum for bilateral trade, investment, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges, at the same time, facilitate the implementation of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to expand market access and boost trade growth.

Commenting on the visit, Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet said it is warmly welcomed by both countries as a highlight of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

She stressed that the relationship, built on trust and friendship, has been nurtured by generations of leaders and supported by over 30,000 Vietnamese who once studied or worked in Bulgaria.

According to the ambassador, bilateral relations have developed in various areas, with trade growing nearly 30% in 2024, and partnerships expanding in labor, education, culture and local cooperation.

Bulgaria’s ratification of the EVIPA and its growing economic links have strengthened its role as a gateway for Vietnamese businesses entering the EU market.

The ambassador said that the two countries have cooperation potential in maritime affairs, training and shipbuilding.

In her visit to the port city of Varna on July 24–25, the ambassador affirmed that the two countries have room to strengthen defense cooperation, particularly in academic exchanges and maritime training.

At Vaptsarov Naval Academy, Rear Admiral Kalin Kalinov praised the performance of Vietnamese students who studied at the academy and expressed interest in expanding collaboration to attract Vietnamese civilian students in information technology, cybersecurity and aerospace.

Meanwhile, leaders of Dolphin Shipyard, an EU and NATO-certified facility, expressed interest in cooperating with Vietnam in supplying skilled technical labor for mechanical engineering and ship repair.

The ambassador said with strong political trust and complementary strengths, Vietnam and Bulgaria are well-positioned to advance cooperation in green and digital transformation, education, science and technology, tourism and cultural exchange.