HCMC - Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, arrived at Sofia International Airport, beginning an official visit to Bulgaria from October 22 to 24 at the invitation of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev, reported the Government of Vietnam news website (baochinhphu.vn).

The Bulgaria visit follows his successful official visit to Finland on the evening of October 22 (local time). As one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950, the Vietnam–Bulgaria friendship has been nurtured and strengthened by generations of leaders and people of both nations. The visit is taking place as Vietnam and Bulgaria are celebrating the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic relations. It also marks the first visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam since 1990. General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Bulgaria conveys a message of sincere affection and appreciation from the Party, State, and people of Vietnam toward a traditional partner and friend who has provided valuable support and contributions to Vietnam’s cause of national defense in the past and its current efforts in national construction and development. The visit also offers an opportunity for Vietnam to expand new areas of cooperation with Bulgaria in particular and the Balkan region in general.