1. Politics
The two countries established diplomatic relations on February 8th 1950. Bulgaria gave Vietnam precious spiritual and material support and assistance  during our cause of struggling for the national liberation and country defense. Bulgaria has erased the debt of 147 million rubles for Vietnam.

Since Bulgaria changed its constitution in 1990, the relations between the two countries came to a standstill for a short time. Since 1993, the relations have gradually recovered.

The Chairman of the Bulgarian Parliament (March 2004); the Chairman of the Association of province governors (January 2004); and Chairman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, Prime Minister Stanishev (November 2006) visited Vietnam, signing 4 cooperation documents.

The most recent trip to Vietnam by a Bulgarian leader was conducted by Vice President Angel Marin (April 2007)

From Vietnam's side, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Dang Quan Thuy (August 1995); Defense Minister Doan Khue (July 1997); Prime Minister Phan Van Khai (September 2000); Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Truong Quang Duoc (April 2004); Head of the Party Central Commission for Foreign Relations Nguyen Van Son (June 2004); Chairman of the Council of People of Hanoi Phung Huu Phu (July 2004); Deputy Prime Minister Truong My Hoa (October 2005); Head of the Party Central Commission of Science and Education Do Nguyen Phuong (February 2006); Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phuc Thanh (January 2007); and Public Health Minister Tran Thi Trung Chien (April 2007) visited Bulgaria.

The two countries have signed several cooperation Agreements, helping create new legal structure for the development of the relations, including:

2. Economic – Trade:

In March 2001 the two sides signed a new Economic – Trade Agreement, giving each other Most- favored nation (MFN) status.

Vietnam’s exports to Bulgaria are mainly coal, coffee, rubber, seafood, food, goods made of rattan and bamboo, pepper, textile and garments, foot-wear, etc. Vietnam’s imports from Bulgaria are mainly chemicals, medicine, wine, technical machines and ship-building equipment. The two countries possess much potential for more cooperation in technology transfer and expert training.

3. Education – Training:

Before 1990, Bulgaria helped train more than 3,600 scientists and experts at all levels and about 30,000 skilled workers for Vietnam. Bulgaria has training strength in the fields of construction, architecture, information technology, biology-chemical technology, agriculture and tourism. In December 2001, Bulgaria’s education minister visited Vietnam, signing an Agreement to restore the cooperation in education and the Cooperation Program 2001-2003, agreeing that the two sides would provide scholarships to train 3 students, 1 post –graduate, and 2 PhDs each year. Since 2001,  there have been 15 students, 2 post-graduates receiving government scholarship and 10 self-financed Vietnamese students  in Sophia and Plovdiv.

The Vietnamese community in Bulgaria has about 1,000 people. Most of them have rather stable business, playing the role of a bridge joining the two countries.

III. Address of Diplomatic Missions

Vietnamese Embassy to Bulgaria
No 1, Jetvarka St. Sophia 1113, Bulgaria
Tel: (00) (359) 2963 2609; Consulate: 2963 3742
Fax: (00) (359) 2963 3658
Email: dsqvnsofia@emil.cc

Bulgarian Embassy to Vietnam
No. 5 Nui Truc Street, Van Phuc, Hanoi
Tel: (00) (84) 8452908
Fax: (00) (84) 8460856
Email: bgemb@fpt.vn