There were more Vietnamese in Bulgaria in the past than now given that Bulgaria was then a communist country—a current reality for Vietnam. There are far fewer of them living there now, though the numbers are growing again. The Vietnamese in Bulgaria live mainly in the capital Sofia and also in Kozloduy. Some live in other places such as Plodiv.

The Vietnamese began coming to Bulgaria in 1960 when students began coming to study subjects like economics, agriculture, medicine, construction, and tourism. When communism ended in Bulgaria the Vietnamese returned to Vietnam, but some remained such as students and those who got married to Bulgarians.

Vietnamese come to Bulgaria for higher wages. Bulgaria seeks Vietnamese workers particularly in the construction and tourism industries, jobs that require only temporary residence. There are Vietnamese traders in the Sofia markets.

The Vietnamese in Bulgaria practice Buddhism, the major world religion based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama or the Buddha, who lived in the 6th and 5th century BC in ancient India. The Buddha taught the Four Noble Truths by which one can gain spiritual knowledge and escape the endless cycles of reincarnation. Theravada, one of the two major branches of Buddhism, declares that by following the Noble Eightfold Path of right intentions and right actions that a Buddhist can achieve nirvana or a state of freedom and salvation. Mahayana Buddhism, the other main branch of Buddhism, asserts that by following the six perfections that a Buddhist can move along the path to Enlightenment. Tibetan Buddhism falls within the Mahayana school.

To most Buddhists, however, these things have far less meaning than their traditional beliefs, which are usually animistic. In animism, evil spirits must be appeased through prayers, sacrifices and rituals. Buddhism allows people to mix Buddhist teachings with traditional religion.

Two of the important Buddhist yearly holidays are Vesak, the Buddha's birthday celebrated in May or June and Bodhi Day, the holiday which commemorates the day that the historical Buddha experienced enlightenment under a Bodhi tree.

The Vietnamese people need to put their trust and identity in the hands of the loving God of Creation who sent his son to make it possible for them to enter the Kingdom of God.

Pray for the spiritual blindness and bondage to the evil one to be removed so they can understand and respond to Christ.

Pray God will have mercy on the Vietnamese doing whatever it takes to place them in a position to receive him.

Ask God to open the hearts of the Vietnamese in Bulgaria to the gospel.

Pray for an unstoppable movement to Christ among these Buddhists.

Scripture Prayers for the Vietnamese in Bulgaria.