At a reception for the Speaker in Hanoi on January 8, President Thuong believed that the visit will generate an impetus to bolster the Vietnam-Bulgaria traditional ties and mark a significant milestone for the beginning of celebrations for the 75th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2025, thus elevating the bilateral relations to a new height.

President Vo Van Thuong (R) and Speaker of the Bulgarian National Assembly Rosen Dimitrov Jeliazkov.

Jeliazkov, for his part, informed the host about his successful talks with Chairman of the Vietnamese NA Vuong Dinh Hue. He wished that both sides would actively carry out existing cooperation mechanisms, including meetings of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Inter-Governmental Committee.

Expressing a desire for collaboration with Vietnam in trade, investment, national defence and security, he noted that the Bulgarian delegation had paid working trips to several Vietnamese localities and found out that there remains untapped potential of cooperation between the two countries’ localities, especially in economy and people-to-people exchanges.

He also welcomed Vietnam's initiative to send Vietnamese language teachers to Bulgaria.

The Speaker wished that Vietnam would serve as a bridge to facilitate cooperation between Bulgaria and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), as well as between ASEAN and the European Union (EU).

In reply, President Thuong affirmed that Vietnam always values its relationship with Bulgaria. He took this occasion to thank the European country for training thousands of Vietnamese students, experts and skilled workers in various fields; supporting Vietnam in the ratification of agreements with the EU, including the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement just before NA Chairman Hue’s visit to Bulgaria in September 2023; in multilateral and bilateral mechanisms; and in Vietnam’s bid for a seat at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

He wished that both sides would further step up foreign political relations, including holding more regular exchanges of parliamentarians to share professional experience as well as locality-to-locality exchange activities.

The Vietnamese leader proposed Jeliazkov and the Bulgarian NA continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals living and working in the country. Additionally, he urged Bulgaria to back and push forward the European Commission (EC)’s removal of yellow card warning against Vietnam’s seafood products.

He also suggested continued collaboration and sharing of visions on global and regional issues, and urged the Bulgarian NA to support Vietnam and ASEAN's stance on settling disputes through peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight; raising voices and calling on parties concerned to fully and seriously implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea/South China Sea (DOC), negotiate and build a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is practical, effective and in accordance with international law.

The host and guest agreed to direct agencies of both countries to actively step up bilateral cooperation activities, leading up to the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.

Localities offer visitors exciting travel experiences during the 2024 New Year holiday

The New Year holiday is a time for people to spend with their loved ones and participate in entertainment activities. This is also a busy time for tourist destinations. Tourist attractions and entertainment areas in provinces and cities across the country provide exciting travel experiences for visitors on this occasion.

Vietnam wraps up 2023 with 12.6 million foreign visitors

Vietnam received 12.6 million international visitors this year, up 3.4 times against the previous year but only around 70% of pre-pandemic times.

Visit organic citrus gardens with revenue of nearly 7 billion VND in Bac Giang

BAC GIANG – The family of Nguyen Van Huu in Xe Cu village, Thanh Hai commune, Luc Ngan district (Bac Giang) now grows more than 10 hectares of oranges and grapefruits organically. Thanks to good cultivation technique, the product quality is improved with fine appearance and smooth consumption. This year, the garden owner continues promoting tourism activities so it has attracted thousands of visitors.

Vietnam a leading destination for French visitors: French daily

Despite belt tightening as a result of gloomy global economic situation, French could not give up their travel temptation. Vietnam, along with Japan and Thailand, was the top choice for French vacationers during Christmas holiday, according to French daily Le Figaro.

PM Pham Minh Chinh visits Hana Micro Vina in Bac Giang

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 23 visited Hana Micron Vina Ltd., a company invested by the Republic of Korea (RoK) and the first semiconductor chip manufacturer in the northern region, which is located in Van Trung industrial park, Viet Yen district , the northern province of Bac Giang.

Source: VNA