(People's Daily Newspaper) The University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, officially launches the "Bun-Vietnamese Dictionary".

The ceremony was attended by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Vietnam, Ms. Marinela Milcheva Petkova; the Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, representative of the Bulgaria-Vietnam Friendship Association; the authors from Veliko Tarnovo University (Bulgaria) and the University of Social Sciences and Humanities; scientists from the Institute of Linguistics, the Vietnam Linguistics Association and the Vietnam Institute of Dictionaries and Encyclopedias; lecturers and students interested in the event.
The official launch ceremony marks the first time a dictionary of a non-common language has been revised, supplemented, and reprinted in Vietnam since its first publication in 1984. Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, Rector of the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, affirmed: “The official launch of the Bulgarian-Vietnamese dictionary is a wonderful result of the cooperation between scientists from the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Vietnam National University, Hanoi and Veliko Tarnovo University (Bulgaria) within the framework of the official development assistance project of the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria through the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (represented by the Bulgarian Embassy) entitled: “Enhancing the quality of foreign language learning through the modernization of foreign language teaching tools”.
According to Professor Hoang Anh Tuan, today's result marks the revision, supplementation, and reprinting of a dictionary in a non-common language in Vietnam, following its initial publication in 1984. Vietnam and Bulgaria have a long-standing, friendly relationship.
More than 70 years ago, Bulgaria was one of the first countries in the world to recognize and officially establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the predecessor of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam today. Bulgaria was also one of the leading EU countries in ratifying the Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation with Vietnam.
Building upon this strong relationship, the dictionary will further promote relations between the two countries not only in the fields of culture and education, but also in all aspects of politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, science, and technology. "With its historical tradition and leading position in training and research in Social Sciences and Humanities in Vietnam, the University of Social Sciences and Humanities will continue to build and closely coordinate with the Bulgarian Embassy in Vietnam as well as scientists to promote cultural and educational cooperation activities between Vietnam and Bulgaria, because these are the most fundamental foundations for a sustainable partnership between the two countries," emphasized Professor Hoang Anh Tuan.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Bulgaria to Vietnam, Ms. Marinela Milcheva Petkova, expressed: “For me, it is not only an honor but also a great joy to share with all of you the occasion of introducing the new Vietnamese-Bulgarian dictionary, published by Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski and Veliko Tarnovo University St. Cyril and Methodius.”
This dictionary is the result of the close friendship between Bulgaria and Vietnam, based on understanding and respect, and is a testament to more than 70 years of cooperation and mutual support. The Ambassador also expressed Bulgaria's gratitude to the University of Social Sciences and Humanities and its Board of Directors for not only embracing the idea but also demonstrating understanding, flexibility, and skillful guidance in leading the project to a successful outcome.
“I am very pleased to be collaborating with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities – not only because of its excellent expertise in linguistics, and because its structure includes the oldest faculties of linguistics, history, and literature in Vietnam, established in 1945, but also because its administrative organization since the 1980s, the predecessor of the University, the Hanoi Institute of Foreign Languages, also had a department teaching Bulgarian.”
"I hope that with the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, the Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi will find support and like-minded partners for another project of its own, specifically creating opportunities to learn Bulgarian in Vietnam, based on the model of the Department of Vietnamese Language, Culture and History at Sofia University," the Ambassador emphasized.
It is known that the Bun-Viet Dictionary (Old Edition), published in 1984, was initially compiled by three members: Professor Dr. Le Quang Them, along with two other members, Han Van Khan and Hoang Nam (Associate Professor Han Van Khan and Associate Professor Hoang Nam have since passed away).
Speaking at the launch ceremony of the Bulgarian-Vietnamese Dictionary after 39 years, Professor Dr. Le Quang Them expressed his emotion and, on behalf of his friends, colleagues, relevant agencies of the Bulgarian Ministry of Education, and the Vietnamese Embassy in the People's Republic of Bulgaria, thanked them for their support and assistance in completing the compilation to serve readers over the past 39 years.
Professor Le Van Thiem believes that the new dictionary will be very effective in serving the development of good, long-lasting, and strong Bulgaria-Vietnam relations in the new era.

As part of the ceremony, the Organizing Committee also held a Q&A session between the authors and experts from Bulgaria and Vietnam, as well as with the authors of the first edition.
The exchange session provided an opportunity for the team and experts to share their experiences in compiling and modernizing the dictionary. The Bulgarian Embassy in Vietnam also shared information and opportunities for scholarships and exchange programs in Bulgaria for Vietnamese officials and students.