On the occasion of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria in 2025, at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam paid an official visit to Bulgaria from October 22 to October 24, 2025.
Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950 until now, Vietnam and Bulgaria have built and developed a traditional friendship and cooperation in many good aspects on the basis of trust, equality, and mutual respect, for the benefit of the people of the two countries.
Vietnam - Bulgaria relations have a solid foundation in similar interests, compliance with the United Nations Charter as well as the general principles agreed in the Framework Agreement on Partnership and Comprehensive Cooperation between the European Union and member states with Vietnam, including respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries and the political system of each country; non-interference in each other's internal affairs; mutual respect and enjoyment of each other's interests; commitment to promote free global trade, promote international law and multilateralism; as well as promote peace, security and prosperity, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
Based on the outstanding achievements of bilateral relations in all fields over the past 75 years, with the potential for open cooperation and strong belief in the good future of bilateral relations, in order to meet the aspirations of the people of the two countries, General Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and President of the Republic of Bulgaria Rumen Radev unanimously approved the Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam - Bulgaria relations to "Strategic Partnership".
The establishment of the Vietnam - Bulgaria Strategic Partnership framework aims to bring the bilateral relationship to a new height on both bilateral and multilateral levels, strengthen and consolidate existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, as well as promote the formation of new mechanisms to deepen cooperation between the two countries.
Within the framework of the Strategic Partnership, Vietnam and Bulgaria will continue to deepen cooperation in various fields to ensure the practical interests of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and prosperity in both the region and the world, focusing on the following areas:
I. Strengthening political and diplomatic cooperation
1. The two sides agreed to strengthen political dialogue and delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at high levels, and study and establish new cooperation mechanisms between ministries, branches and localities of the two sides.
2. The two sides agreed to increase contacts through all channels between the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, central and local agencies of Vietnam and central and local agencies of Bulgaria to strengthen political cooperation and mutual understanding. The two sides identified political consultation as the main mechanism for reviewing and updating cooperation activities.
3. The two sides wish to further strengthen relations between legislative bodies, including increased delegation exchanges, bilateral and multilateral contacts, especially between leaders, professional committees and groups of friends and lawmakers of both sides, in line with the new framework of the partnership between the two countries.
4. The two sides agreed to effectively implement bilateral cooperation agreements; review, amend, supplement, sign new and upgrade joint documents and agreements between the two countries and between the competent authorities of both sides, in order to create a solid legal basis to promote bilateral relations in all fields.
5. The two sides agreed to promote dialogue between the two Foreign Ministries and expressed their desire to expand cooperation on international and regional issues, including consultations on positions at multilateral forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations, ASEAN - EU and ASEM.
II. Strengthening defense and security cooperation
6. The two sides expressed their willingness to promote exchanges of delegations at all levels to enhance bilateral cooperation in the fields of defense and security, promote cooperation in training, defense industry, defense intelligence, United Nations peacekeeping and non-traditional security.
7. The two sides agreed to establish a mechanism for a Joint Working Group on Defense Cooperation to move towards establishing a mechanism for a rotating Defense Policy Dialogue at the Deputy Minister level to exchange information on strategic, defense and security issues; enhance academic exchanges between academies and defense - security research institutions; promote cooperation mechanisms within the bilateral and multilateral framework.
8. The two sides expressed their desire to promote cooperation in the field of security and law enforcement, speed up negotiations and signing of new agreements between relevant authorities; enhance information exchange in the field of security and police and promote cooperation in the fields of cyber security, prevention of high-tech crimes, drug trafficking and transnational organized crime.
9. The two sides agreed to continue to effectively implement existing Cooperation Agreements, especially cooperation in crime prevention, training and fostering cadres, enhancing cooperation in information exchange; and coordinating the assessment and forecast of issues related to the interests and national security of the two countries.
III. Expanding economic and trade cooperation
10. The two sides agreed to promote economic and trade cooperation, identifying this as one of the central pillars and main driving forces for the Vietnam - Bulgaria relationship to shift from "traditional" to " strategies - substantials - efficiency". On the basis of existing bilateral and multilateral economic cooperation agreements, the two sides expressed their desire to develop and expand bilateral trade.
11. The two sides emphasized the role of bridging the gap for goods from Bulgaria and Vietnam to reach the Asian and EU markets; and said that the role of the two countries as members of the EU and ASEAN creates opportunities to expand economic cooperation. The two sides agreed to enhance the role and effectiveness of bilateral mechanism cooperation and make the most of the potential of the two countries.
12. The two sides affirmed the importance of the Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade, scientific and technical cooperation; agreed to support each other in participating in the global value chain such as green transformation, digital transformation, electric vehicles, etc. in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution changing the foundation and structure of traditional economies to transform to a knowledge-based and innovative economy.
13. The two sides expressed their desire to promote cooperation between businesses of the two countries and supported open trade principles, based on international regulations and taking into account EU regulations.
14. The two sides expressed their desire to enhance effective coordination and mutual support within the framework of the Vietnam - EU partnership, continue to coordinate closely, promote trade and investment; effectively deploy and take advantage of opportunities of the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The two sides will support each other in economic cooperation and improve market access in the EU and ASEAN.
IV. Promote substantive cooperation in the fields of science and technology, education and training, agriculture, culture and tourism, sports, labor, environment and health
* Science and Technology
15. The two sides identified science and technology as priority pillars of cooperation, capable of creating high value and making practical contributions to the socio-economic development process and transforming the growth model in both countries.
On the basis of the 1998 Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, the two sides agreed to promote the early organization of the 5th Session of the Committee for Science and Technology Cooperation, focusing on areas where both sides have potential, strengths and cooperation needs such as training human resources in information technology in the fields of digital transformation, digital economy, digital infrastructure and e-government, pharmaceuticals and biological medicine, artificial intelligence (AI) and modern computer science, green energy... identified as the strategic priority orientation for the period 2030-2045.
* Education and Training
16. The two sides committed to effectively implementing the Scholarship Exchange Framework Agreement between the two countries, in the immediate future the Education Cooperation Program for the 2025-2028 period, encouraging the granting of scholarships to students of each side according to their needs and fields of study.
17. The two sides agreed to promote comprehensive and continuous cooperation, build mechanisms for exchanging experts, lecturers and students of the two countries, not only to discuss academics for students and lecturers but also to expand to training highly qualified experts; promote the opening of classes to teach Vietnamese and Bulgarian at training institutions of both sides.
18. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in traditional areas such as biotechnology, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, functional foods, materials technology, environment; consider the establishment of a Joint Research Center and promote technology transfer through connecting businesses, associations, and academies; promote cooperation programs on science and technology within the EU or the tripartite cooperation mechanism.
* Agriculture
19. The two sides agreed to negotiate the signing of a Cooperation Agreement on Agriculture and Livestock to elevate cooperation in this field to become a substantial pillar of strategic cooperation, making the most of each side's potential and strengths in agricultural land as well as the potential for science and technology in the agricultural and livestock sector to bring common benefits.
20. The two sides affirmed that they will increase information exchange on regulations, standards and technical requirements related to food quality control and safety in the fields of agriculture, forestry and fishery; cooperation in building and directing agricultural supply chains between the two countries; building common models for applying technology in agricultural production; and promoting cooperation in research and exchange of plant, animal, biological technology and livestock feed production.
* Culture, Sports and Tourism
21. The two sides agreed to promote existing cooperation mechanisms such as the Cultural Cooperation Program for the period 2024 - 2026 to coordinate the organization of cultural weeks, photo exhibitions, music and cinema exchanges and other activities on the occasion of major holidays of the two countries, the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.
22. The two sides are ready to promote youth sports cooperation, towards a system of training young athletes; encourage the exchange of documents and content related to national sports programs, as well as develop strategies and policies for sports development of the two countries.
23. The two sides wish to increase exchanges and connections with tourism partners, share experiences in each other's strengths, promote tourism and develop human resources in the tourism industry on the basis of the Tourism Cooperation Plan for the period 2024 - 2026.
24. The two sides encouraged airlines to cooperate and study the opening of direct flights to enhance transportation connectivity and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Bulgarian side acknowledged and appreciated Vietnam's unilateral 45-day visa exemption for Bulgarian citizens from August 15, 2025 to August 14, 2028, to facilitate businesses, experts, investors and Bulgarian tourists. Vietnam's side suggested that Bulgaria take measures to facilitate entry and residence, and study the possibility of bilateral visa exemptions for each other's citizens in accordance with EU regulations at an appropriate time to promote bilateral cooperation and people-to-people exchanges.
* Labor
25. The two sides agreed to promote effective cooperation in the labor sector on the basis of the Labor Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018.
26. The two sides agreed to deepen cooperation in the field of migration labor and enhance cooperation in the field of vocational training through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Home Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy of the Republic of Bulgaria.
* Environment
27. The two sides are ready to strengthen cooperation as well as share technology and experience in the fields of circular economy, wastewater treatment, solid waste and plastic waste management, air pollution control, clean water supply and rural environmental sanitation; promote cooperation in the fields of geology, minerals and energy conversion.
28. The two sides affirmed their commitment to deepening development cooperation, especially in key areas such as social integration, sustainable economic growth and environmental adaptation, including the integration of cooperation frameworks such as the European Team Europe Initiative and the Global Gateway Program.
* Health
29. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of community health care and preventive medicine; expand opportunities for exchanging experiences in the fields of high-quality medical human resource training, research and development of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology and electronic health. The two sides agreed to promote the signing of the Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreement or the Implementation Plan in the health sector.
V. Strengthening cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchanges
30. The two sides expressed their willingness to strengthen cooperation between local governments with similar economic, geographical and cultural characteristics, as well as between social and professional organizations to exploit mutually supportive strengths, promote connectivity in areas such as trade, investment, education and cultural exchange, in order to bring practical benefits and strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria.
31. The two sides are ready to create favorable conditions for people's organizations and friendly organizations of the two countries to regularly exchange and cooperate at major events of the two sides; sign new cooperation documents to further strengthen relations between the two countries.
32. The two sides create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria and Bulgarian citizens living in Vietnam, helping them continue to actively contribute to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
VI. Strengthening regional and international cooperation
33. The two sides highly appreciated the close cooperation at regional and international organizations, hoping to continue to closely coordinate and support each other within the framework of the United Nations and other international organizations and forums, and at the same time maintain regular exchanges on regional security and political issues and international situations of mutual concern.
34. The two sides agreed to continue to cooperate closely at regional and international multilateral frameworks such as WTO, ASEAN - EU, ASEM, OECD, UNESCO and other organizations and forums.
35. The two sides agreed to increase consultation on regional and international issues, coordinate in addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges, including epidemics, climate change, terrorism, food security, energy and water resources, coordinate in promoting sustainable development, trade liberation and regional economic linkages.
36. The two sides affirmed that Vietnam and Bulgaria support multilateralism, fully respect and comply with international law, and resolve disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the United Nations Charter, without the use or threat of force. The two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability, ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation, aviation and trade without obstruction, ensuring the rule of law at sea in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
37. The two sides affirmed the important role of high-level visits in consolidating traditional friendship and opening up prospects for effective and substantive cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability and development in the region.
Based on the content of the Joint Statement, the two Foreign Ministries will coordinate with relevant ministries and branches to implement the above goals.
