Hanoi (VNA) –Thousands of people on March 8 attended the opening of the second “BulgarianRose Festival with Friends 2018” at Hanoi’s West Lake Water Park.

The event, which runs untilMarch 11, is organised by the Embassy of Bulgaria in Vietnam and theAgricultural Genetics Institute (AGI) under the Ministry of Agriculture andRural Development to celebrate the National Day of Bulgaria (March 3), and the68th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On display are different varietiesof rose, including thousands of rose trees from Bulgaria and many Vietnamesevarieties which have been grown for dozens of years, especially a 200-year-oldrose tree, along with some other kinds of flowers.

Additionally, the festivalattracted the participation of Vietnamese rose garden owners and rose tradingcompanies to exhibit their products such as those from Xuan Quan garden in thenorthern province of Hung Yen, Rose Park Company, Grin House, Ho Tay (WestLake) flower valley and Thang Long bonsai group.

Speaking at the openingceremony, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Ngo Van Quy affirmedthat the “Bulgarian Rose Festival with Friends 2018” contributes to theenhancement of friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

The event drew theparticipation of various Bulgarian artists such as famous singer Rado Petrovand Khoro Pudin folk dance group.

A number of cultural and artperformances will be held during the festival, including traditional streetfestivals and customary performances of both Vietnam and Bulgaria, a parade ofroses, music and food events.

There will also be Queen ofRose beauty contest, a contest for the most beautiful rose, rose dancing, anatmosphere of nostalgia for Bulgaria for those who have worked, studied andlived in the country, street music and magic performances. Products from rosessuch as essential oil, perfume and tea will also be introduced at the event.

Bulgaria has been famous forrose festivals in the Rose Valley for centuries. Since 1903, this traditionalfestival has been held on the first Sunday of June and attracted millions oftourists from all over the world. In 1971, it became a national festival.-VNA