Vietnam-Bulgaria Strengthen Multi-Sector Cooperation
	Bulgaria Always Cherishes and Attaches Special Importance to Relations with Vietnam

The dialogue attracted representatives of the Burgas city authorities, industry associations, and nearly fifty enterprises operating in the locality.

Delivering the opening remarks, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet emphasized that the event took place on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1950-2025) and right after both sides upgraded their ties to a Strategic Partnership. The Ambassador affirmed that Viet Nam and Bulgaria possess many complementary advantages: Bulgaria serves as a gateway for Vietnamese enterprises to access the Southeast European and EU markets, while Viet Nam can support Bulgarian businesses in expanding their operations in ASEAN. She expressed the hope that the dialogue would provide practical information on Viet Nam’s investment and business environment, while laying the foundation for effective cooperation projects that contribute to bilateral trade and investment growth.

The main export items of Viet Nam to Bulgaria include cotton yarn, coffee beans, natural rubber, rice, cashew nuts, garments, handbags, and leather shoes. In the photo: Production of bags, backpacks, and handbags at Ladoda Leather Products Trading – Service – Manufacturing Import-Export Company. (Photo: Tuan Anh/VNA).

Deputy Mayor of Burgas Stanimir Apostolov commended Viet Nam’s development achievements and invited Vietnamese enterprises to invest in the city’s priority areas such as innovation, smart city development, and industrial zone infrastructure. He affirmed that the Burgas authorities are committed to creating the most favorable conditions for Vietnamese investors.

Todor Demirkov, President of the Burgas Chamber of Commerce and Industry, shared that the local business community is increasingly interested in the Vietnamese market, which is dynamic and full of potential. In the coming time, the Chamber will promote more frequent connection activities with Vietnamese enterprises and industry associations to support market information access and explore cooperation opportunities.

Introducing Burgas’s economic strengths, Director of the Department of Economy Ivelina Strateva noted that the city possesses the largest seaport system in the Balkan region, well-connected transport infrastructure, developed industrial zones and logistics services, as well as advantages in information technology and agriculture. She assessed that the two countries have various complementary fields, particularly in agricultural and aquatic trade, food processing, digital technology, logistics, clean energy, services, and tourism. Burgas stands ready to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese enterprises to access the Southeast European market.

At the dialogue, Head of the Trade Office of the Embassy of Viet Nam in Bulgaria Nguyen Thanh Hai provided information on Viet Nam’s economic situation, key products, and investment opportunities. He stressed that the incentives from the EVFTA, along with Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area from 1 January 2025 and its preparation to join the Eurozone, will create favorable conditions for businesses from both countries in the near future.

During the discussion session, delegates from both sides shared views on the drivers and challenges of Viet Nam-Bulgaria cooperation and agreed to focus on key sectors such as logistics, renewable energy, smart infrastructure, and the digital economy. Both sides also highlighted the importance of cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, aiming to build a shared innovation ecosystem and promote technology transfer.

Earlier, Ambassador Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet held a working session with Deputy Mayor of Burgas Besna Baltina. The Ambassador assessed that Burgas has many advantages suitable for the cooperation needs of Vietnamese businesses, particularly in seaports, logistics, information technology, pharmaceuticals, processing industries, and agriculture. She proposed that both sides coordinate to regularly organize investment and trade promotion activities; develop a list of Burgas’s priority projects to connect with Vietnamese enterprises; and invited the city to send a delegation of leaders and businesses to visit Viet Nam next year. The Ambassador reaffirmed her readiness to act as a bridge to promote cooperation between Burgas and localities in Viet Nam, especially coastal provinces.

Besna Baltina expressed her appreciation for the traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Bulgaria and her positive impressions of the Vietnamese people. She noted that Burgas is developing new industrial zones, preparing to merge several adjacent localities to enhance investment attraction capacity, and prioritizing efforts to retain young people and expand employment opportunities. The city sees Viet Nam as a potential partner in this strategy.

Regarding education, Burgas is oriented toward developing multidisciplinary and multi-vocational training institutions with English-language programs in chemistry, pharmaceuticals, environment, information technology, and other fields to attract international students, including those from Viet Nam. The city authorities are also ready to support connections for educational cooperation with Viet Nam.

Baltina noted that Burgas is campaigning to become the European Capital of Culture in 2032 and expressed the desire to coordinate in organizing activities to promote Vietnamese culture and cuisine. The city also supports the idea of opening a Viet Nam-Burgas charter flight route and requested that the Embassy introduce major Vietnamese travel companies to boost tourism exchange.

Vietnam, France to Boost Local-level Cooperation A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in France, led by Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, paid a working visit to the Hauts-de-France region from April 13-16.

Bulgarian Press Highlights Vietnam’s Socio-Economic and Diplomatic Achievements During a press gathering commemorating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria (1950-2025) on June 27th, held by the ...