CALL FOR PROPOSALS

International Conference “VIETNAM UP CLOSE: Heritage, Continuity, Future”

13 - 15 November 2025

Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’

Concept and Scope

The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria. In this context, Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’, in partnership with the Institute of Art Studies at the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, is organising a conference titled VIETNAM UP CLOSE: Heritage, Continuity, Future. This event aims to encompass a wide range of topics in the field of Vietnamese Studies and to foster interdisciplinary dialogue across Southeast Asian Studies, the social sciences, and the humanities. The conference will bring together national and international scholars and experts to forge connections between recent research in Bulgarian and global Vietnamese Studies. Strengthening these academic ties is essential for advancing the visibility and sustainable development of Vietnamese Studies in Bulgaria. Early-career researchers, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, are warmly encouraged to participate.

In 1968, Bulgarian film director Vladislav Ikonomov released the documentary Vietnam e blizo (Vietnam is Close), which brought realities and imagery from the turbulent times of a geographically distant country to Bulgarian audiences. Drawing inspiration from the title of this film and honoring the legacy of Bulgaria-Vietnam cooperation, the conference will address not only the continuity and future of these bilateral relations but also the rich cultural heritage and dynamic development of Vietnam and Vietnamese Studies across Asia and Europe.

Despite decades of bilateral friendship, Vietnamese Studies in Bulgaria is an emerging academic field. This conference seeks to broaden perspectives, raise awareness of Vietnam-related scholarship in Bulgaria, and to contribute to the strengthening of scientific collaboration within and beyond Vietnam. Proceedings of the conference are planned for publication by Sofia University Press, however, paper submission after presentation is optional.

Suggested Topics

We welcome individual proposals on Vietnamese Studies and related interdisciplinary or comparative work, including but not limited to:

● Language, Literature, and Religious Studies: Linguistic diversity, literary works and translation, philosophy, religious practices, and spiritual culture

● Social and Cultural Anthropology: Ethnography, ethnic diversity, heritage, traditional and contemporary culture and arts

● Media and Popular Culture: Visual culture, cinema, music, social media, globalization and cultural phenomena

● History: Ancient to modern periods, archival research, archaeology

● Geography: Biogeography, biodiversity conservation, ecology, environmental humanities

● Contemporary Society: Social issues, migration, urbanization, education

● Economics, Business, and Tourism: Economic growth, trends, and sustainability

● Asia, Vietnam, the Indo-Pacific, and the Global South: Geopolitics, diplomatic relations, trade, and cultural exchange

● Bulgaria, Vietnam, and the EU: Bilateral, minilateral, and multilateral cooperation, cultural diplomacy, political history, and governance

● La Francophonie and Bulgaria-Vietnam-France-Indo-Pacific Relations: Historical and cultural dialogue, arts, and the social sciences

Planned Round Tables

(1) Knowledge Exchange through Innovative Academic Networks: Bulgaria–Vietnam.

Focusing on Sustainable Policies, Green Economy, Rural Development, Sustainable Tourism, and Cultural Heritage, оrganised in collaboration between the Faculty of Classical and Modern Philologies and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration at Sofia University. (In English)

This round table aims to foster dialogue and collaboration between academic institutions in Bulgaria and Vietnam by exploring innovative models of knowledge exchange. Emphasis will be placed on sustainable development policies, green economic strategies, rural revitalization, cultural tourism — areas of shared interest and strategic importance for both countries. Special attention will be given to how academic networks can act as catalysts for long-term cooperation and policy innovation. By building bridges between research, policy, and practice, the round table seeks to contribute to the creation of resilient academic partnerships and informed strategies for sustainable futures in both Bulgaria and Vietnam.

(2) Memory and Current Issues in the field of Social Anthropology of Southeast Asia, organised in collaboration between Sofia University and the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. (In English)

Bringing together researchers in the field of social anthropology, migration, urban geography, sociology and architecture the discussion will address postcolonial legacies, identity formation, memory and current transformations in the region, with particular focus on Vietnam. How do cities function as arenas for negotiating historical narratives and cultural change as dynamic sites of cultural continuity, transformation, and contestation? Can comparative possibilities in relation to the Bulgarian urban and social experience be opened? How are migration once and now shaping the intercultural and political dialogue? The round table also invites comparative reflection on the relationship between Vietnam and Bulgaria, enriching the broader understanding of cultural and social processes across contexts.

(3) Transcription of Vietnamese names and terms in Bulgarian language, organised in collaboration between the Centre for Eastern Languages and Cultures, Sofia University and the Institute for Bulgarian Language, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences. (In Bulgarian) The Vietnamese-to-Bulgarian transcription system introduced in 1974 no longer meets the demands of modern linguistic and communication contexts. Considering growing cultural, academic, and media exchanges between Bulgaria and Vietnam, it is essential to develop an updated, functional, and academically grounded model. This initiative aims to establish a unified approach that respects both the specific features of the Vietnamese language and the norms and practices of the Bulgarian language.

Participation in the round tables is primarily by invitation. Nonetheless, applicants with strong interest in the topics or relevant expertise are welcome to indicate their wish to join in the submission form. All expressions of interest will be reviewed by the organisers based on thematic fit and availability.

About the Organisers

Sofia University ‘St. Kliment Ohridski’ is Bulgaria's oldest national academic, research, and cultural institution. It comprises 16 faculties and over 40 institutes and centres, including the Centre for Eastern Languages and Cultures. Since 2015, the Centre has offered a two-year Vietnamese Studies Minor as part of the BA in Indo-Pacific Studies. The Faculty of Classical and Modern Philologies and the Faculty of Economics and Business Administration are both actively involved in the organisation of the conference.

Partner organization: The Institute of Art Studies (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences) was established in 1948, is Bulgaria's leading institution for research in fine arts, theatre, music and dance, cinema and screen arts, architecture, and the various national forms of intangible and tangible cultural heritage, with a focus on Bulgarian, European, and Asian arts. The Institute is part of Division 8. Cultural and historical heritage and national identity of the Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, founded in 1869 .

Submission details and timeline

● Submit proposals (title and abstract up to 300 words) via this online application form

● Submission period: 12 May – 15 June 2025

● Notification of acceptance: by 30 June 2025

● We advise you to use the online form, however if technical issues occur, submissions may also be sent to: vietnam_upclose@fcml.uni-sofia.bg

Conference details and support

● Languages: English and Bulgarian.

● Format: In person OR online (via ZOOM).

● Presentation time: 15 minutes per speaker (subject to panel composition).

● Letters of Invitation: Available upon request for accepted participants.

● Visa arrangements: Sole responsibility of participants; official invitation letters can be provided.

● Students and PhD candidates: Encouraged to contact organisers with queries.

● Travel and accommodation: Due to budget constraints participants are expected to cover their own costs. Limited funding may be available for a short list of participants. If you would like to request funding based on need, please indicate this in your submission form, including any other funding sources. Please note that the conference operates on a limited budget, and support for accommodation and/or travel costs may be granted in specific cases at the discretion of the organisers.

● Meals: Provided during the conference.

● Further logistics: Information about the venue, suggestions for accommodation, and other logistics will be provided after proposal acceptance.

● Preliminary programme: Distributed by 30 September 2025.

Publication

● Encouraged, but optional full-text paper submission

● Deadline for paper submission: 30 November 2025

● Proceedings publication: first half of 2026 by Sofia University Press

● Author guidelines: will be provided after proposal acceptance

Any enquiries can be directed to email: vietnam_upclose@fcml.uni-sofia.bg with copy to Dayana Ivanova dayanaivanova.p@gmail.com

About the Venue

The international conference will be held at Sofia University’s main building, the Rectorate (15 Tsar Osvoboditel Blvd.), an architectural, historical and artistic monument of culture of national importance. Located in the heart of Sofia, a city with millennia of history, the venue offers a unique setting where ancient heritage meets modern innovation.

One of Europe’s oldest capitals, Sofia embodies a rich and diverse cultural tapestry, shaped by Thracian, Roman, Byzantine, and Ottoman influences. The city is home to remarkable landmarks such as the Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, the Roman Serdica ruins, and the UNESCO-listed Boyana Church. Beyond the capital, Bulgaria offers a diverse landscape of historical and natural beauty—from the Rila Monastery to the Black Sea coast and ancient Thracian tombs. As a cultural crossroads between East and West, Bulgaria provides an inspiring setting for academic exchange.

Organising Team

● Raina Beneva (Sofia University, Korean Studies Department, Coordinator of Vietnamese Studies Minor programme, Centre for Eastern Languages and Cultures)

● Andronika Martonova (Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Institute of Art Studies)

● Dayana Ivanova (Sofia University, Department of African and Indo-Pacific Studies)

● Galina Rousseva-Sokolova (Sofia University, Department of African and Indo-Pacific Studies)

● Marcellin Yovogan (Sofia University, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration)

● Voila Ivantcheva (Sofia University, Centre for Eastern Languages and Cultures and Faculty of Philosophy)

We are looking forward to welcoming you to Sofia University!