Thousands of people on March 8 attended the opening of the second “Bulgarian Rose Festival with Friends 2018” at Ha Noi’s West Lake Water Park.
The event, which runs until March 11, is organised by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Viet Nam and the Agricultural Genetics Institute (AGI) under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to celebrate the National Day of Bulgaria (March 3), and the 68th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
On display are different varieties of rose, including thousands of rose trees from Bulgaria and many Vietnamese varieties which have been grown for dozens of years, especially a 200-year-old rose tree, along with some other kinds of flowers.
Additionally, the festival attracted the participation of Vietnamese rose garden owners and rose trading companies to exhibit their products such as those from Xuan Quan garden in the northern province of Hung Yen, Rose Park Company, Grin House, Ho Tay (West Lake) flower valley and Thang Long bonsai group.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Ha Noi People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy affirmed that the “Bulgarian Rose Festival with Friends 2018” contributes to the enhancement of friendship between Viet Nam and Bulgaria.
The event drew the participation of various Bulgarian artists such as famous singer Rado Petrov and Khoro Pudin folk dance group.
A number of cultural and art performances will be held during the festival, including traditional street festivals and customary performances of both Vietnam and Bulgaria, a parade of roses, music and food events.
There will also be Queen of Rose beauty contest, a contest for the most beautiful rose, rose dancing, an atmosphere of nostalgia for Bulgaria for those who have worked, studied and lived in the country, street music and magic performances. Products from roses such as essential oil, perfume and tea will also be introduced at the event.
Bulgaria has been famous for rose festivals in the Rose Valley for centuries. Since 1903, this traditional festival has been held on the first Sunday of June and attracted millions of tourists from all over the world. In 1971, it became a national festival.