THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Government News
Official welcome ceremony for Party chief To Lam in Bulgaria
VGP - Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his spouse hosted an official welcome ceremony for General Secretary To Lam and his spouse in Sofia on October 23.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and his spouse host an official welcome ceremony for General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, Sofia, October 23, 2025 - Photo: VGP
Following the introduction of the members of both delegations, the two leaders reviewed the honor guard.
After the ceremony, the Vietnamese delegation laid a wreath at the monument to the unknown soldiers to pay tribute to them.
Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and General Secretary To Lam inspect the honor guard, Sofia, October 23, 2025 - Photo: VGP
Bulgaria, one of the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with Viet Nam in 1950, has maintained a close friendship nurtured by generations of leaders and people of the two countries.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) cited data from Viet Nam Customs as showing that two-way trade rose nearly 2.6 times, from US$102.5 million in 2015 to US$263 million in 2024.
This visit, the first by a General Secretary since Bulgaria transitioned to a new political system in 1990, coincides with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
The visit carries a message of sincere friendship and gratitude from the Vietnamese Party, State, and people toward Bulgaria, a long-standing partner and traditional friend that offered invaluable support during Viet Nam's struggle for national independence and continues to back its ongoing development.
It also offers Viet Nam a chance to unlock new avenues of cooperation with Bulgaria and other Balkan nations./.