President Luong Cuong and Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, Hanoi, November 25, 2024. (photo: VOV)

This is the first visit by a Bulgarian President to Vietnam in 11 years. The two countries will celebrate the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2025.

Fine traditional relationship

In 1950, Bulgaria was one of the first 10 countries in the world to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

In 1957, President Ho Chi Minh paid an official visit to Bulgaria, marking an important milestone in bilateral relations.

During Vietnam’s most arduous years in its struggle for national independence and construction, Bulgaria gave Vietnam valuable support both materially and spiritually, including training 3,600 Vietnamese scientists and experts and 30,000 workers in construction, biochemistry, agriculture, mechanical engineering, and medicine, among others. Many of them became senior leaders and leading scientists in Vietnam.

Over the past seven decades, the two countries have regularly exchanged high-level delegations, organized Intergovernmental Committee meetings and periodic political consultations, implemented many cooperation arrangements, and supported each other at international forums.

Although bilateral relations were disrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, the leaders of Vietnam and Bulgaria are determined to restore bilateral relations through high-level exchanges between ministries, departments, sectors, and localities. During a visit by the Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly in September 2023, President Radev announced Bulgaria’s ratification of the Vietnam-European Union Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Party General Secretary To Lam met with President Radev at the 79th UN General Assembly meeting in September in New York.

During meetings at all levels, Bulgarian leaders have expressed their support for Vietnam’s cooperation with the European Union and the Balkans.

Two-way trade turnover more than doubled – from 102 million to 211 million USD – between 2015 and 2023, and is projected to reach 300 million USD this year.

Premise for new development era

President Radev is the first head of state that President Cuong has welcomed to Vietnam since he took office. It demonstrates the respect and affection of the Vietnamese State and people for Bulgaria as a traditional, trustworthy, loyal friend and one of Vietnam's most important partners in the Balkan region.

During the visit, the Bulgarian President and Vietnamese leaders will discuss cooperation achievements, and new areas of cooperation.