General Secretary To Lam visits Bulgaria: Strengthening historical ties, elevating cooperation
WVR - Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet emphasized that the official visit to Bulgaria by General Secretary To Lam holds historical significance and is eagerly anticipated by the people of both nations.
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| General Secretary To Lam and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev at the Party Central Headquarters, November 25, 2024. (Source: VNA) |
On the occasion of General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, making an official visit to Bulgaria at the invitation of President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet highlighted the significance of the visit and the bilateral cooperation areas that need focus in the future during an interview with World & Vietnam Report.
How do you assess the significance of General Secretary To Lam and his spouse's upcoming official visit to Bulgaria, especially as the two countries celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations (1950-2025)?
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria) |
The official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria by General Secretary To Lam holds historical significance and is eagerly anticipated by the people of both nations. It marks the first time in 50 years that the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam visits Bulgaria, signifying a new development in the traditional friendship between the two countries.
The visit coincides with the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1950–2025) – a steadfast, trustworthy relationship that has been tested and nurtured over decades, from the struggle for national independence to the construction and development of the country. It is also the fourth high-level delegation exchange in three years, reflecting the excellent political relations and strategic trust between the leaders of both sides.
The visit takes place as both Vietnam and Bulgaria have achieved significant milestones in socio-economic development and regional and international integration. With a commitment to reform and deep integration, Vietnam is implementing strategic Central Resolutions, enhancing institutional reform and streamlining the apparatus. Just days after the visit, Vietnam will continue to make its mark by hosting the signing ceremony of the UN's "Hanoi Convention" against cybercrime – a clear testament to the country's growing international stature and reputation.
Bulgaria has joined the Schengen Area after 13 years of effort and is preparing to join the Eurozone from January 1, 2026, while actively pursuing membership in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Bulgaria has expressed a desire to further strengthen relations with Vietnam.
In this context, General Secretary To Lam's visit symbolizes political trust, enduring bonds, and the shared aspirations of the people of both countries, creating new momentum to elevate Vietnam-Bulgaria relations to a new height, worthy of the 75-year tradition of friendship and the vast potential for cooperation between the two nations in their strategically important locations in Southeast Asia and Southeastern Europe.
What is the foundation of the traditional friendship between the Southeast Asian and Southeastern European nations, Ambassador?
Vietnam and Bulgaria established diplomatic relations on February 8, 1950, during a time when Vietnam faced many challenges in its struggle for national independence. Bulgaria being one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam demonstrates international solidarity and the valuable support of the Bulgarian people for Vietnam's cause of national liberation. As early as 1957, President Ho Chi Minh set foot in Bulgaria, showcasing the early close and trustworthy relationship between the two peoples.
Over the past 75 years, the relationship between the two countries has remained stable, trustworthy, and increasingly profound, based on historical, political, and emotional ties between the peoples of both nations. A significant testament to this strong relationship is the more than 30,000 Vietnamese who lived, studied, and worked in Bulgaria in previous decades, contributing to the development of both Bulgaria and Vietnam. These individuals are living witnesses, marking the friendship between the two countries.
Continuing this tradition, the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria today, though not large in number, remains united, diligent, and connected to their homeland, while serving as a bridge of friendship, maintaining Vietnamese culture and contributing to the good relations between the peoples of the two countries.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet with the Hanoi Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association delegation meeting Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, June 2025. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria) |
Could you share the highlights of the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria over the past three-quarters of a century?
In recent years, despite global fluctuations, Vietnam-Bulgaria relations have maintained positive development momentum, with numerous delegation exchanges, high-level contacts, and practical cooperation initiatives.
In addition to regular high-level delegation exchanges, in May 2024, the two countries successfully organized the 24th session of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation in Sofia. Through this session, both sides comprehensively reviewed the cooperation process and identified new priority areas such as digital economy, information technology, innovation, biomedicine, green transition, and training and supplying high-quality human resources.
In the economic and trade sector, both sides have actively implemented cooperation programs within the framework of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), thereby expanding market access opportunities and diversifying supply chains for businesses in both countries.
In 2024, bilateral trade turnover increased by nearly 30% compared to the previous year, reflecting a positive recovery and growth trend. In the first nine months of 2025, exports of many of Vietnam's key products to Bulgaria continued to maintain impressive growth, particularly in agricultural products, textiles, and light industry.
In the investment sector, the Bulgarian Parliament ratified the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in September 2023, creating a more favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation. Bulgarian businesses are increasingly interested in the Vietnamese market in areas such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, renewable energy, agricultural processing, and logistics.
Conversely, Vietnamese businesses view Bulgaria as a "gateway" to the European Union market, thanks to its strategic geographical location, developed transportation infrastructure, and significantly improved business environment. Bulgaria is also considered a potential area with reasonable production costs, suitable for Vietnamese businesses to invest in producing processed agricultural products, textiles, and footwear, thereby expanding their presence in the European market.
Labour cooperation is emerging as a promising new direction. Given Bulgaria's labour shortage, more Vietnamese workers are going to work in fields such as construction, mechanics, food processing, and healthcare. Vietnamese labour is highly regarded for its skills, discipline, and sense of responsibility, leaving a positive impression in Bulgarian society. Both sides wish to establish a new cooperation mechanism on labour, aiming for sustainable, humane, and mutually beneficial cooperation, while strengthening the connection between the peoples of the two countries.
Education and scientific cooperation continue to be a highlight. Annually, both sides maintain student and researcher exchanges under the educational cooperation agreement between the two governments. Many universities and research institutes have signed academic and research cooperation agreements. In the 2025-2026 academic year, the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training will, for the first time, send a Vietnamese language lecturer to teach at Sofia University, marking a new development in academic and language exchanges.
Cultural, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges continue to be strongly promoted. The Vietnam-Bulgaria and Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Associations regularly coordinate to organize photo exhibitions, friendship exchanges, film screenings, and Vietnamese cultural and culinary promotion events in Bulgaria, contributing to strengthening ties and increasing understanding between the two peoples.
The Vietnamese community in Bulgaria plays a role as a bridge of friendship, actively participating in local social and cultural activities. After Vietnam decided to waive visas for Bulgarian citizens from August 2025, tourism businesses in both countries have promoted cooperation to connect tours, especially focusing on cultural, heritage, and beach resort tourism. Additionally, both sides are exploring the possibility of cooperation in sports and creative culture, leveraging Bulgaria's strengths in gymnastics, classical music, and performing arts.
Local cooperation is also vibrant. Localities in both countries actively seek opportunities for twinning and development cooperation, contributing to deepening bilateral cooperation.
These comprehensive results show that Vietnam-Bulgaria relations are entering a more dynamic, substantive, and comprehensive development phase, based on traditional friendship, political trust, and strong emotional ties between the peoples of the two countries.
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| Delegates perform the cake-cutting ceremony at the 80th National Day of Vietnam and 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Bulgaria diplomatic relations in Sofia on September 10, 2025. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria) |
What are the factors that have bonded the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria over the past 75 years?
One of the key factors that have continuously developed Vietnam-Bulgaria relations is the high level of political trust. Vietnam considers Bulgaria a reliable traditional partner, serving as a bridge between Vietnam and the European Union (EU). For its part, Bulgarian leaders always affirm that Vietnam is a top priority partner in Southeast Asia, while supporting Vietnam in strengthening comprehensive relations with the EU.
The two countries regularly maintain delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, as well as closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums, demonstrating understanding, shared interests, and perspectives on many international issues of mutual concern.
The leaders of the two countries share many similarities in their development vision, aiming for peace, cooperation, integration, and sustainable development, based on respect for international law, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of each country. Both sides reaffirm their support for multilateralism and a rules-based international order, with the United Nations playing a central role; emphasizing respect for and full compliance with international law, and peaceful settlement of disputes according to the United Nations Charter, without threatening or using force.
On the foundation of strong political trust, Vietnam-Bulgaria relations are opening up many new cooperation opportunities in the context of a rapidly changing world driven by global trends.
According to you, as we enter a new phase, what should the two countries do to promote bilateral cooperation commensurate with the loyal, sustainable friendship built and nurtured over generations?
In the coming time, the two countries can leverage their complementary strengths to promote cooperation in areas such as:
Green and digital transformation: leveraging Bulgaria's strengths in technology, innovation, and high-quality human resources, combined with Vietnam's production capacity and market scale.
Education, science, and technology: promoting joint research, technology transfer in areas such as smart agriculture, biomedicine, environmental treatment, and clean energy.
Tourism and people-to-people exchanges: exploring the possibility of opening direct flights between the two countries, enhancing cultural, tourism cooperation, and promoting the image of Vietnam-Bulgaria.
Local and business cooperation: strengthening connections between localities, associations, and businesses of the two countries; maintaining annual economic-trade forums, creating a substantive, effective cooperation network.
In the context of a globally changing landscape driven by technological transformation, climate change, and multi-polar cooperation trends, Vietnam and Bulgaria have many favorable conditions to further strengthen their partnership for mutual development.
The official visit to Bulgaria by General Secretary To Lam is a strategic step, demonstrating the strong political determination of both countries to elevate Vietnam-Bulgaria relations to new heights, for peace, prosperity, and sustainable development of each nation and the common prosperity of the two peoples.
Thank you, Ambassador!
| "The official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria by General Secretary To Lam holds historical significance and is eagerly anticipated by the people of both nations. It marks the first time in 50 years that the head of the Communist Party of Vietnam visits Bulgaria, signifying a new development in the traditional friendship between the two countries." (Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet) |
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| The Vietnam-Bulgaria Economic Cooperation Forum organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria in collaboration with the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) on July 3, 2025. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria) |
(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Bulgaria)
