Ambassador Marinela Petkova Honored for her Contribution to Vietnam - Bulgaria Friendship

Initiatives to cultivate friendship

In 2017, the Bulgarian Rose Festival was held in Vietnam for the first time, introducing the unique culture of Bulgarian friends to the Vietnamese people. The festival received the attention of many Vietnamese and international friends. It is later held annually.

Organizing the Bulgarian Rose Festival is one of the initiatives supported by Ambassador Petkova during her time in Vietnam. Considering the implementation of cultural activities and people-to-people diplomacy as one of the Embassy's priorities, Ambassador Petkova suggested many initiatives to enhance mutual understanding and cultivate relations between the Bulgarians and the Vietnamese.

In March 2017, the first Bulgarian Rose Festival was held in Vietnam.

Under Ambassador Petkova's leadership, many cultural exchange events have been organized, namely the "Bulgaria and Vietnam - 70 years of friendship and development" photo exhibition on the 70th anniversary of Bulgaria and Vietnam diplomatic relations in 2020.

The exhibition introduced many rare photos to the people of the two countries such as President Ho Chi Minh speaking at Sofia's central square before a large number of Bulgarians during his friendship visit to Bulgaria in August 1957, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (then Chairman of the National Assembly) and Kaxanlak Mayor Stefan Damianov participating in a performance in accordance with Bulgaria's national traditions during Trong's visit to Bulgaria in 2008.

Another example is the "Friendship Concert" in November 2020, a two-hour performance featuring Bulgarian and Vietnamese songs as well as traditional dances performed by Vietnamese artists.

The Bulgarian Embassy has implemented aid programs for Vietnam through ODA projects aiming at priority areas in Vietnam's socio-economic development such as access to quality education and health care, women's empowerment, inclusive development, and support for vulnerable social groups. All projects are supported and promoted by the Ambassador.

Ambassador Petkova has been active in uniting and mobilizing the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Bulgaria to further contribute to the bilateral friendship. She has carried out many activities with Friendship Associations with Bulgaria in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh, Hai Phong, Vinh Phuc, and Nha Trang. She participated in events and support activities of the Friendship Associations.

Vietnam will stay in her heart

In her remark at the ceremony, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations Nguyen Phuong Nga said Ambassador Marinela Petkova has significantly contributed to cultivating the traditional friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

She assisted in the implementation of the Bulgarian official aid program for Viet Nam as well as the signing of cooperation agreements, both at the central and provincial levels of the two countries. She also suggested, supported, and took part in people-to-people activities as organizing cultural exchange activities at on significant events of the two countries

"All those contributions by Mrs. Ambassador and her heartfelt feelings for Vietnam are highly appreciated and surely born in our minds forever," said VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga.

Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, awarded the medal "For peace and friendship among nations" to Marinela Milcheva Petkova, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Vietnam (Photo: Thu Ha).

For her part, Ambassador Marinela Petkova believes that people-to-people relations between the two countries have great potential for development, especially in the fields of tourism and education. "The friendship between the people of Vietnam and the people of Bulgaria is the true engine in the two countries' vibrant relations".

Ambassador Marinela Petkova thanked VUFO, Vietnam's agencies, friends, partners, colleagues, and the Embassy's staff for accompanying and supporting her in many activities. “We worked together to implement many programs and projects of the Embassy in social inclusion, access to health care, and access to education.

I am impressed with the Vietnamese people, who are working hard and ambitious in contributing to the construction and development of their country. I will carry the image of the country and people of Vietnam in my heart and continue to contribute to the Vietnam-Bulgaria friendship," said the diplomat.

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