Vietnam's brilliant mark at the 2025 Asian Cultural Festival in Bulgaria

South Park in the Bulgarian capital Sofia recently burst into life like a miniature Asia when the Asian Cultural Festival officially took place, attracting nearly 20,000 attendees.

Amidst the bustling atmosphere, the Vietnamese booth stood out as a brilliant highlight, bringing the colors, sounds and soul of the S-shaped country to international friends.

Participating in the event with the theme “Unity in Diversity,” the Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria introduced to the public the most distinctive features of the national culture, from dishes rich in traditional flavors to sophisticated handicrafts such as conical hats, pith helmets, bamboo instruments, etc.

The Vietnamese booth stands out with the red color of the national flag, attracting attention from all sides, reminding us of a friendly country, rich in identity and full of pride.

Not only stopping at the exhibition, Vietnam also brings to the festival a series of unique experiential activities.

Visitors can try their hand at bamboo dance, a vibrant folk dance, participate in a bamboo painting workshop or enjoy quizzes about Vietnam with many attractive gifts.

The laughter and endless applause contributed to warming up the atmosphere at the Vietnamese booth.

In addition to cultural experiences, a series of artistic performances staged and performed by the Embassy in collaboration with the Vietnamese community and Bulgarian friends truly touched the hearts of the audience.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Bulgaria Nguyen Minh Nguyet (right) introduces typical Vietnamese handicraft products to Bulgarian Vice President Iliyana Yotova (left). (Photo: VNA)

The most outstanding performance was a folk dance set to Vietnamese music, performed by Bulgarian girls in red ao dai with yellow stars. This image not only moved the audience but also showed the close relationship between the two cultures.

A total of seven Vietnamese performances received enthusiastic cheers, leaving a deep impression on the hearts of audiences and international friends.

This year’s festival features 53 pavilions, including 11 representative offices of Asian countries in Bulgaria. Held after a three-year hiatus, this event has special significance in the context of a turbulent world .

At the opening ceremony, Bulgarian Vice President Iliyana Yotova stressed: “Cultural exchange is the key to peaceful coexistence between peoples.”

Next, Ms. Iliyana Yotova and representatives of other countries performed the dove release ceremony, a symbol of peace, to send a message of friendship and solidarity from the capital Sofia to the whole world.

Before the festival, on the afternoon of June 13 local time, the Vietnamese delegation joined representatives of other countries in a colorful parade on Vitosha pedestrian street, the busiest street in Sofia.

In traditional costumes, the Vietnamese community and international friends contributed to "warming up" the festival atmosphere, while widely promoting the image of Vietnam to local people.

The enthusiastic, creative and dedicated participation of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria not only helps promote national culture but also contributes to consolidating the position and enhancing the image of Vietnamese people in the local society, thereby affirming an integrated, open Vietnam that always preserves traditional values in the global flow./.