The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria (1950-2025). Bulgaria was among the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam, providing strong support for Vietnam’s past struggles for independence and reunification, and ongoing national development. Bulgaria regards Vietnam as a reliable bridge to access the ASEAN market and stays ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnam to strengthen engagement with the European Union (E.U.).
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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse (Photo: VNA) |
Over the past three quarters of a century, the time-tested friendship between the two countries have been continuously nurtured and developed across various fields. In terms of politics and foreign affairs, Bulgaria’s leaders attach great importance to relations with Vietnam, considering Vietnam a top priority partner in Southeast Asia. The two sides have maintained regular exchange of delegations, high-level contacts, and periodic bilateral cooperation mechanisms; as well as close coordination and mutual support at the U.N., in the framework of the ASEAN- E.U. strategic partnership, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Over the past decade, bilateral trade between the two countries has maintained steady growth. In 2024, two-way trade reached USD 263 million, up 24.4% compared to 2023. Attentively, in the first half of 2025, bilateral trade hit nearly USD 110 million.
Bulgaria currently has 14 investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of USD 35 million, ranking 68th out of 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. The two largest projects of Bulgaria are an instant coffee processing plant in Lam Dong province and a knitwear and garment company in Hue city.
Educational and training cooperation continues to be a highlight in bilateral relations. The two sides have signed a cooperation program for the 2025-2028 period and are exploring expanded collaboration in Bulgaria’s strengths such as information technology, cybersecurity, e-government, and public administration.
In the defense and security domain, the two sides have cooperated in training military cadets and security officers, as well as exchanging information related to offenses and illegal migration. They have also conducted joint scientific research and established a joint committee on science and technology cooperation, focusing on biotechnology, agriculture, information technology and communication, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and green energy.
In addition, the two countries have signed a cultural cooperation program, a tourism cooperation plan for the 2024-2026 period, and agreements on labor, employment, and social welfare. Local-to-local cooperation has also been vibrant. All of these achievements demonstrate that Vietnam - Bulgaria relations are entering a new, dynamic, and comprehensive phase of development, built upon traditional friendship, political trust, and the enduring bonds between the two peoples.
The official visit to Bulgaria by Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse and the high-level Vietnamese delegation reaffirms Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of loyalty toward traditional friends who have supported Vietnam in its efforts for national construction, defense, and development.
The visit underscores that Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Bulgaria in its foreign policy and international integration. It also reflects the political will of both Vietnam and Bulgaria to elevate their bilateral ties to new heights, for the benefit of their peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the regions and the world.
The visit is believed to be a resounding success, contributing to shaping the Vietnam - Bulgaria relations in the next phase in a manner that is practical, effective, and well-suited to the new situation.
By Editorial Board of the People’s Army Newspaper
Translated by Mai Huong