President Rumen Radev meets with Vietnam - Bulgaria Friendship Association

In his address at the meeting, Chairman of the Vietnam - Bulgaria Friendship Association Huynh Quyet Thang stated that 74 years ago, in February 1950, Bulgaria became one of the first countries in the world to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

President Ho Chi Minh paid an official friendship visit to Bulgaria in August 1957, an important milestone in the history of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

Throughout the years of war and the struggle for independence of the Vietnamese people, Bulgaria has always been a close friend, standing shoulder to shoulder, and providing valuable support to Vietnam.

This southeastern European country has received and trained more than 5,000 Vietnamese university students and more than 40,000 interns. Vietnamese workers have been taught valuable skills and work experience by their Bulgarian colleagues, Quyet noted.

The relationship between the two countries is currently maintaining a strong and positive development momentum across many fields of diplomacy, education, trade, and investment.

In the context of globalization and complex economic and political changes, strengthening Vietnam-Bulgaria relations not only benefits the two countries but also contributes to the common stability and development in Southeast Europe and Southeast Asia, as well as Europe and Asia.

Informing the visiting Bulgarian President about the Vietnam - Bulgaria Friendship Association, Thang said that the Association is viewed as a gathering place for Vietnamese people who had lived, studied and worked in Bulgaria.

The Association’s chairman expressed his belief that, with the achievements gained, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Bulgaria will continue to develop strongly, contributing to the common prosperity of the two countries.

Expressing his joy during his official visit to Vietnam and having a friendly meeting with Vietnamese friends who studied and worked in Bulgaria, President Rumen Radev congratulated the country and people of Vietnam on the achievements in the renovation process and socio-economic development.

Vietnam is one of the few countries with the fastest economic growth rate in the world, he said, adding that the impressive development are attributable to the contributions of Vietnamese people with the knowledge, skills and experience gained while working, living and studying in Bulgaria.

President Rumen Radev said his visit takes place amid Bulgaria and Vietnam heading towards the historic milestone of 75 years of their diplomacy (1950-2025), with the constant development of cooperative ties.

The two countries boast great potential for stronger cooperation in a number of areas of mutual interest, such as trade, investment, energy, engineering, construction services, information technology, tourism, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. That is the reason why the Bulgarian high-ranking delegation visiting Vietnam this time includes 3 ministers, 2 mayors and representatives of leading Bulgarian companies, the President emphasized.

Radev also said that Bulgaria and Vietnam have enjoyed good tradition in the field of education and showed his elation that both nations will sign an educational cooperation agreement within the framework of the visit to continue developing this traditional field of cooperation.

On this occasion, he presented the Bulgarian President’s Medal of Honor to the Vietnam - Bulgaria Friendship Association.