Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Norwegian National Pavilion within the framework of the Vietnam International Fisheries Exhibition (Vietfish 2026). (Photo: Kim Anh)

This is the first time Norway has had a national pavilion at Vietfish, and it is also the exhibition with the largest number of Norwegian enterprises and organizations participating to date. The event is organized as Vietnam and Norway celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations (1971-2026), further promoting cooperation between the two countries in fisheries, aquaculture, and sustainable marine economic development.

The Norwegian Pavilion features 9 companies including SalMar, Skretting, GenoMar Genetics AS, PHARMAQ, ScaleAQ, Optimar, Fjell Technology, Benchmark Genetics, and TechValue, along with two organizations: the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise (NHO) and the Norwegian Seafood Federation.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives from the Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, the Norwegian Embassy's Commercial Section (Innovation Norway) in Vietnam, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, along with partners and businesses operating in various segments of the fisheries value chain.

Speaking at the event, Chargé d'Affaires of the Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam Erlend Skutlaberg emphasised that both Vietnam and Norway are coastal nations and among the world's leading seafood exporters. Therefore, they share many common interests and priorities in developing sustainable aquaculture, the seafood value chain, and ocean economies.

According to Erlend Skutlaberg, for decades, fisheries, aquaculture, and the sustainable exploitation and use of marine resources have become natural areas of cooperation and important pillars in the bilateral relationship between Vietnam and Norway.

Through the Green Strategic Partnership, the two countries are committed to enhancing cooperation on green growth, sustainable food systems, and marine economies. Norway's experience, technology, and expertise are expected to complement Vietnam's growing development goals and capabilities in these areas.

Chargé d'Affaires Erlend Skutlaberg stated that the Norwegian Pavilion at Vietfish 2026 is a concrete example of transforming the Green Strategic Partnership into practical cooperative activities. Bringing together Norwegian enterprises and organizations in the fisheries sector aims not only to showcase expertise, technology, and solutions but also to open up opportunities for cooperation, knowledge exchange, and value addition for Vietnam's fisheries sector.

One of the highlights presented by Norwegian enterprises at Vietfish 2026 is innovative solutions across the entire seafood value chain, from genetics, animal health, feed, digitization, automation to processing and ocean-based material development.

The solutions introduced aim to address specific industry issues such as improving animal health, reducing antibiotic use, enhancing production efficiency, increasing traceability, and utilizing seafood by-products to create higher-value marine materials.

This is the first time Norway has had a national pavilion at Vietfish, and it is also the exhibition with the largest number of Norwegian enterprises and organizations participating to date. (Photo: Kim Anh)

Norwegian representatives believe these solutions aim to enhance productivity, increase resilience, and promote sustainable development in the fisheries sector while adding value across the entire production chain. Through cooperation, enterprises from both countries can combine expertise, innovation, and technology to boost the competitiveness of the fisheries sector in the future.

Among the participating companies is Fjell Technology Group, which introduces high-quality fishmeal and fish oil production technologies, offering solutions to increase value from by-products and seafood processing waste, reduce operational costs through energy-efficient process design and heat reuse, and support environmental compliance through wastewater treatment technology.

Other companies also bring technologies currently deployed in Vietnam. Benchmark Genetics introduces aquaculture breeding solutions using genetics; PHARMAQ provides vaccines and aquatic health solutions; ScaleAQ offers integrated technology for aquaculture; while Skretting presents sustainable nutrition solutions for the aquaculture industry.

According to the announcement, SalMar has had an office in Vietnam since 2016, providing premium fresh salmon; ScaleAQ has a factory in Nha Trang producing underwater cameras, feeding systems, and automatic feeding barges; Skretting has two factories in Tay Ninh supplying feed for over 60 aquatic species. GenoMar Genetics AS has also had a breeding center in Tay Ninh since 2021, providing tilapia fingerlings with improved genetic traits for the domestic market.

Within the framework of Vietfish 2026, from August 19-21, the “Norway in Spotlight” program will take place at the Norwegian Pavilion, featuring short presentations from 9 companies, focusing on introducing products, technology, and practical solutions.

Visitors can experience interactive display areas, meet company representatives, and learn about technologies and innovations aimed at addressing the challenges of the fisheries sector. Norwegian companies will also participate in specialized seminars and business-to-business (B2B) meetings with Vietnamese enterprises and potential partners.

On the morning of August 20, Norwegian companies will organize a Technical Workshop on green and sustainable technology solutions for aquaculture and seafood processing. In the afternoon, in collaboration with VASEP and the Directorate of Fisheries and Fisheries Surveillance, Norwegian companies will hold a seminar on value chain linkage towards sustainable production of high-value fishmeal and fish oil.

The Norwegian Pavilion is expected to create a space for enterprises from both countries to exchange knowledge, seek cooperation opportunities, and identify practical solutions for Vietnam's fisheries sector.

The event also holds special significance as it takes place in the year Vietnam and Norway celebrate 55 years of diplomatic relations. Through the National Pavilion at Vietfish 2026, both sides continue to concretize the long-term cooperation foundation, connecting Norway's expertise and innovation with the goal of developing a modern, competitive, and more sustainable Vietnamese fisheries sector.