Strong ties with Bulgaria open new opportunities for Hai Phong
The 75-year friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria is continually being strengthened and spreading strongly in Hai Phong city.
Deepening friendship and cooperation
In November 2016, a high-ranking delegation from the Republic of Bulgaria, led by Vice President Margarite Popova, paid a working visit to Hai Phong. The trip marked an important milestone in cooperation between Hai Phong and Bulgarian localities and enterprises, especially in seaport development, tourism, and human resource training.
Building on that close relationship, in June 2020, on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of Vietnam–Bulgaria diplomatic relations (1950–2020) and the 20th founding anniversary of the Hai Phong Vietnam–Bulgaria Friendship Association, Bulgarian Ambassador to Vietnam Marinela Petkova visited and worked with Hai Phong leaders.
During the meeting, both sides expressed their desire to further expand and strengthen cooperation in logistics, information technology (IT), tourism, education, healthcare, and trade, fields where both Hai Phong and Bulgaria possessed strong potential.
Entering a new stage of development, in November 2024, Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, accompanied by a high-level delegation and dozens of enterprises from the IT, high-tech, and maritime sectors, visited Hai Phong as part of his official visit to Vietnam. This marked the first time a Bulgarian head of state had visited the city, underscoring Bulgaria’s commitment to promoting comprehensive cooperation with the largest seaport city in Northern Vietnam.
During a meeting with Secretary of the city Party Committee Le Tien Chau, President Radev praised the city’s development potential in the fields of seaports, industry, education, training, and investment. He also expressed special admiration after visiting the VinFast factory in Hai Phong and showed interest in fostering cooperation between businesses from both countries in electric vehicle production, an area where Bulgaria had considerable experience and Hai Phong was making strong progress.
In people-to-people diplomacy, the Hai Phong Vietnam–Bulgaria Friendship Association has organized various dynamic activities, serving as a bridge between the peoples of Hai Phong and Bulgaria and contributing to the continued growth of the fine traditional friendship between the two nations.
Expanding cooperation across multiple fields
President Rumen Radev’s visit in November 2024 marked a significant milestone, opening a new chapter of cooperation between Hai Phong and Bulgarian partners. During his meeting with the city leaders, the Bulgarian President highlighted the effective partnership between Hai Phong and Bulgarian organizations and localities, expressing his wish to strengthen collaboration in potential areas such as electric vehicle development, artificial intelligence, education, training, and tourism.
President Radev expressed hope that close and practical cooperation between Hai Phong and Bulgaria would further consolidate the traditional friendship and bring about greater, more sustainable achievements, positively contributing to the overall Vietnam–Bulgaria relationship.
Following the Bulgarian President’s visit, Hai Phong has continued to maintain close contact with the Embassy of Bulgaria in Vietnam to foster exchange and cooperation in mutually beneficial fields. The city has actively exchanged information, shared investment and trade opportunities, and sought strategic partners aligned with its socio-economic development orientation.
With a strong foundation built on 75 years of Vietnam–Bulgaria friendship, along with political will and a forward-looking vision for cooperation, Hai Phong’s relationship with Bulgarian localities and partners is entering a new phase of practical, sustainable growth.
BUI HANH