The message was delivered by Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam in his important policy speech at Sofia University (Sofia, Bulgaria) on October 24 (local time).

Speaking at Sofia University – the oldest and most prestigious university in Bulgaria, the Party General Secretary reviewed the 75-year history of Vietnam–Bulgaria friendship, affirming that Vietnam always treasures Bulgaria as one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950. He particularly recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s historic visit to Bulgaria in August 1957, just three years after the Dien Bien Phu Victory and the Geneva Accords, as a vivid demonstration of trust, closeness, and shared belief between two peace-loving nations.

According to the General Secretary, President Ho Chi Minh’s decision to visit Bulgaria was not merely a diplomatic gesture, but rather a testament to the “heart-to-heart” friendship between the two peoples, laying the foundation for a deep and enduring partnership over the past seven decades.

Entering a new stage with the recent establishment of the Vietnam–Bulgaria Strategic Partnership, General Secretary To Lam outlined five strategic pillars of cooperation that should be prioritised to deepen, broaden, and make the bilateral relationship more practical and effective.

“We are ready to work together with Bulgaria to expand cooperation in the fields of security and national defence in a substantive manner, in line with the newly upgraded Strategic Partnership framework, particularly in such areas as cybersecurity, United Nations peacekeeping, combating transnational crime, and personnel training,” he said.

The leader underscored the need to make economic, trade, and investment cooperation the central pillar in order to transform Vietnam–Bulgaria relations from a “traditional” foundation into one that is “strategic, substantive, and effective.”

“Vietnam wishes for Bulgaria to become a strategic gateway for Vietnam to gain deeper access to the European Union market. Conversely, it stands ready to serve as a reliable bridge for Bulgaria to expand its relations with the ASEAN region -  a dynamic market of nearly 700 million people, including over 100 million Vietnamese,” remarked the leader.

The General Secretary further noted that the two countries should continue to promote practical cooperation in specialised areas such as science and technology -  a strategic priority in the new phase, along with education and training, agriculture, labour, environment, and health care.

He highlighted specific sectors where Bulgaria holds strengths and Vietnam has pressing needs, including human resource training in information technology for digital transformation, circular and digital economy, e-government, pharmaceuticals, artificial intelligence (AI), green energy, waste management, clean water treatment, and the transfer of advanced biomedical technologies.

In particular, he stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation between localities and enhancing people-to-people exchanges, while promoting cultural, tourism, and sports cooperation, since people-to-people ties form the solid foundation of the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

“In the current context of a complex and unpredictable global situation, strengthening the close cooperation within the Vietnam–Bulgaria Strategic Partnership is more important than ever,” the General Secretary affirmed.

He stated that both sides are committed to continuing coordination and mutual support within the framework of the United Nations and other international organisations and forums, such as the WTO, ASEAN–EU, ASEM, OECD, and UNESCO.

The top Vietnamese leader further emphasised that both countries share a strong commitment to upholding multilateralism and to the full respect for and adherence to international law, resolving disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law, particularly the United Nations Charter, and refraining from the use or threat of force.

He underscored the need for both sides to continue stressing the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, ensuring unimpeded lawful trade, and upholding the rule of law at sea in accordance with international law.

The General Secretary again stated that the 75-year history of Vietnam–Bulgaria relations has demonstrated that when the two countries share humanistic values, stand shoulder to shoulder through times of hardship, and look toward the future with a shared aspiration for development, they can overcome the challenges of the times together.

As both countries continue to deepen comprehensive cooperation and promote the values of peace, partnership, and progress, they can fully trust in a bright future in which the Vietnam–Bulgaria Strategic Partnership will serve as a model of sincere, effective, and enduring international friendship in the 21st century, he emphasised.

Party leader To Lam’s Bulgaria visit grabs headlines

VOV.VN - Bulgarian media agencies have described the ongoing official visit of Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam to Bulgaria as a landmark political event, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1950–2025).