Bulgaria is well known primarily for the Black Sea and its roses, especially its famous rose oil.

In many parts of the south-eastern European country, the Bulgarian oil-bearing rose has been cultivated for more than 300 years. It is the country’s specific climate – mild winter and a long warm spring that give the perfect combination of moisture and warmth for the breeding of roses.

In honour of the special ties of friendship between the two countries, the Bulgarian Embassy in Hanoi and Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association are sponsoring the first-ever Bulgaria Rose Festival in Vietnam on March 3-8 at the Thong Nhat (Reunification) Park in Hanoi.

Activities planned for the event include a rose exhibition featuring 300 different varieties of roses, street festival, parade of roses, music and food events, Queen of Rose beauty contest and talk show among others.

A Thang Long drum performance, lion dance, flash mob dance and balloon release are also on the agenda for the opening ceremony. Special gifts of 500 cosmetic samples made from oil-bearing roses will also be given out to guests during the event.

File photos of Bulgarian rose festivals:

VOV/TT&VH