Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son addresses the event (Photo:VNA)
Speaking glowingly of the operational results of the Vietnam - Bulgaria Friendship Association in the past term, Phan Anh Son, chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), stated that the group has tried to innovate its operational methods to attract more resources to engage in people-to-people exchange activities between the two nations.
Friendly exchange activities, enhanced cultural understanding, and connected educational co-operation have contributed to implementing the foreign policy and tasks of the Party and State as a means of contributing to raising Vietnam's reputation in the international arena.
In the new term, Son proposed that the association constantly innovate and improve the general quality and efficiency of operations with a particular focus on building and developing a team of cadres and members, especially paying attention to building the younger generation of members.
Bulgarian Ambassador to Vietnam Pavlin Todorov underscored the importance of people-to-people and cultural exchanges between both sides for the purpose of strengthening bilateral relations.
He highlighted the important role of the two friendship associations of the two countries, as well as the Vietnamese community who have studied, lived, and worked in Bulgaria in boosting mutual ties.
As part of this occasion, the VUFO awarded Certificates of Merit to the Association’s individuals and groups with many outstanding achievements in citizen diplomacy activities during the past term.
According to a report reviewing activities of the Association during the 2018 to 2024 term, a broad array of practical and effective activities were launched, thereby meeting the requirements of people-to-people diplomacy in the current situation and helping to both consolidate and enhance the traditional friendship and co-operation between the two countries.
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| Cultural program celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Bulgaria. |
Practical cultural exchange activities
During the 2018-2024 term, the Association successfully organized many friendship activities with a good reputation, with the participation of a large number of members, people who care and love Viet Nam and Bulgaria.
Celebrating 70 years of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Bulgaria, the Association held a solemn meeting on November 18, 2020, at the Hanoi Opera House with the participation of about 600 guests.
At the event, delegates had the opportunity to look back on 70 years of cooperation with new developments in all fields, especially people-to-people exchanges, and cultural and educational exchanges.
They further promote cooperative relations on the principle of taking people's interests as the core goal.
On this occasion, the Association also published the book Ky uc Bulgaria (Bulgarian Memory). The book is a collection of articles and photos about people-to-people diplomacy, as well as the love of Vietnamese people who worked, studied, and lived in Bulgaria towards this beautiful country.
During the visit to Viet Nam of famous Bulgarian female singer Rositsa Kirilova, the Association organized two friendly meetings in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The meeting contributed to promoting the image of the beautiful country of Viet Nam, the friendly Vietnamese people and the loyal friendship of those who have studied and worked in Bulgaria with Bulgarian friends.
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| The book is edited and published by the Viet Nam-Bulgaria Friendship Association. |
In early January 2024, the Association coordinated with the Bulgarian Embassy in Viet Nam to organize an exchange meeting between Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly Rosen Zhelyazkov, and people who have lived, studied and worked in Bulgaria at Hanoi.
Speaking at the meeting, Rosen Zhelyazkov emphasized that Vietnamese friends who have studied and worked in Bulgaria are important factors, in ensuring the success of cooperation between the two countries.
He also hopes that this community will use their knowledge and experience from studying and working in Bulgaria to strengthen and further tighten the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
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| Chairman of the Rossen National Assembly Dimitrov Jeliazkov awarded Certificates of Merit from the Bulgarian National Assembly to six Vietnamese individuals. Photo: Dinh Hoa |
Promoting economic and trade cooperation
During the 2018-2024 term, the Association has implemented many activities to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation.
Specifically, the Association supported the Bulgarian Embassy in Viet Nam and the Trade Promotion Agency of the Ministry of Industry and Trade to organize an online Viet Nam-Bulgarian business forum.
Through the forum, businesses from both countries had the opportunity to learn about their needs, as well as connect to implement specific cooperation.
In addition, the Association also introduced and helped Bulgarian businesses contact and exchange information with Vietnamese businesses.
The Association supported the Bulgarian Embassy in Viet Nam, businesses to visit and work in some localities such as Hai Phong, Vinh Phuc, Ho Chi Minh City, Lao Cai, Nha Trang to meet and exchange with local leaders in order to promote economic cooperation.
Besides developing its organization and members, the Association tried to maximize its internal resources. The Association gradually implements the policy of socialization in mobilizing financial resources, and members' contributions to implement diverse and effective activities.
Thanks to the above efforts, the Association's activities have met the requirements of people-to-people diplomacy in the new situation, contributing to consolidating and strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries of Viet Nam and Bulgaria.
Source: Vietnamtimes, VOV
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