Vietnam, Bulgaria elevate ties to become gateways for each other

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev have agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, marking a historic milestone on the 75-year diplomatic ties and making Bulgaria the first Balkan country to form such a partnership with Vietnam.

The move was recorded on October 23 during the three-day visit at the invitation of President Rumen Radev, the first trip to this Southeast European country by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) since Bulgaria’s reforms in 1990.

The two leaders shared a vision of turning Vietnam and Bulgaria into gateways for trade and cooperation between ASEAN and the EU.

Amid global economic challenges, both sides agreed to make financial, trade and investment collaboration the central pillar of their partnership.

They also pledged to take full advantage of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to double bilateral trade in the coming years.

Strategic partnership connecting ASEAN and the EU

To reinforce political trust, Vietnam and Bulgaria will increase exchanges at all levels and strengthen cooperation through Party, State and parliamentary channels.

With an aim to make the goals attainable, the two countries will implement a  Strategic Partnership Action Plan focused on science and technology, digital transformation, defense and security, green energy, defense industry, education and biomedical research.

At the Vietnam–Bulgaria Business Forum on October 23, General Secretary To Lam said cooperation in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation will be new drivers for growth.

President Rumen Radev affirmed Bulgaria’s readiness to share experience in high technology, artificial intelligence, pharmaceuticals, clean agriculture and logistics while welcoming more Vietnamese students to study in Bulgaria.

During the forum, both leaders witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements between universities, enterprises and arbitration institutions of the two countries.

The agreements cover areas such as space technology, digital transformation, artificial intelligence and education and training.

The two sides also agreed to expand air connectivity and promote cultural and tourism exchanges to facilitate travel and people-to-people links.

They will explore cooperation in labor as Bulgaria seeks young and skilled workers.

Symbols of friendship and cultural exchange

As part of the visit, General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly visited Vrana Palace in Sofia and met former King Simeon Saxe-Coburg-Gotha.

They presented a commemorative plaque featuring President Ho Chi Minh to be placed at the palace where he stayed during his 1957 friendship visit to Bulgaria.

With respect for President Ho Chi Minh and the people of Vietnam, the former king initiated the idea of installing a memorial plaque bearing President Ho Chi Minh’s portrait at Vrana Palace, expressing his wish for the site to stand as a lasting symbol of friendship between the two nations.

General Secretary To Lam said the plaque carries deep symbolic meaning and reflects the lasting friendship between the two nations.

He described it as a “red address” connecting generations of Vietnamese and Bulgarian friends.

Former King Simeon warmly welcomed the Vietnamese leader and expressed admiration for President Ho Chi Minh. He hoped the relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria would continue to grow strongly in the new era.

Later that evening, General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly visited the National History Museum with President Radev and his spouse Desislava Radeva.

Lam praised Bulgaria’s rich cultural and historical heritage and called for closer cooperation between national museums. He suggested exchanges of expertise and joint exhibitions to promote mutual understanding and friendship.

A cultural program at the museum featuring artists from both countries added a touching highlight to the visit. The performance included a Vietnamese song “Ca nha thuong nhau” performed in Vietnamese by Bulgarian children.

On the same day, Madam Ngo Phuong Ly joined the Bulgarian First Lady Desislava Radeva and local children in a cultural activity, making Vietnamese spring rolls and painting. The event strengthened the friendship and affection between the people of both countries.

The official visit to Bulgaria by General Secretary To Lam concluded with concrete outcomes and laid a firm foundation for a new phase of cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria – two strategic partners and gateways connecting ASEAN and the EU in trade and culture.