Politburo Member, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung meets with Norwegian Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust in February 2026. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

This year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Norway (1971-2026). Could the Ambassador share some of the notable achievements over the past five decades and the prospects for bilateral cooperation in the future?

Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken. (Photo: Kim Anh

In 2026, as we commemorate this significant milestone, the partnership between the two countries is stronger than ever. Built on decades of cooperation, from development support in areas such as fisheries, culture, education, and public health, Norway and Vietnam have now become equal partners, especially with the robust growth of the business communities in both countries.

Both sides continue to maintain exchanges and contacts at both high and working levels. Since the beginning of 2026, there have been visits to Vietnam by Minister of International Development Åsmund Aukrust; State Secretary of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Fisheries Ragnhild Sjoner Syrstad, along with Norwegian parliamentarians.

On the Vietnamese side, a delegation from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment led by Deputy Minister Le Cong Thanh is on a working visit to Norway to learn about experiences in the circular economy and plastic waste management initiatives.

Bilateral cooperation continues to expand in areas supporting green transition and circular economy development – priorities in Vietnam's future development orientation. This effort is further reinforced by the Memorandum of Understanding on the Green Strategic Partnership signed last April between the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

This partnership closely aligns the economic and climate goals of both countries, focusing on green economy, circular economy, and sustainable marine economy; it is expected to lay the foundation for promoting cooperation among government agencies, the private sector, and other stakeholders, thereby supporting green and circular transition efforts in Vietnam.

This is a new chapter in the long-standing cooperative relationship between the two countries, unlocking potential for businesses on both sides to collaborate on practical solutions contributing to sustainable development in both nations.

Earlier this May, a delegation from Nor-Shipping – an organization gathering leading global enterprises and experts in maritime transport, shipbuilding, and maritime technology – visited Vietnam and worked with numerous partners.

In June, a Norwegian business delegation in the offshore wind sector will attend the GWEC APAC 2026 Wind Energy Summit in Hanoi, and in August, more than 10 Norwegian companies

will participate in VietFish 2026. Alongside active representatives in Vietnam such as Jotun, Yara, SalMar, TOMRA, and VARD, I am confident that Vietnam will continue to be an attractive destination for Norwegian businesses.

People-to-people exchanges continue to be a vibrant part of bilateral relations. More and more Norwegian tourists are choosing Vietnam, impressed and charmed by its natural landscapes, culture, cuisine, and people.

I am delighted that the Oscar-winning film Sentimental Value by Norwegian director Joachim Trier (Vietnamese title: Can nha ky uc) was screened in theaters in Vietnam and received much attention from audiences. Additionally, the efforts of many publishers have brought Norwegian literature closer to Vietnamese readers. Notably, the novel Boat House by Norwegian author Jon Fosse, who won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2023, was introduced by Cau Vong Bookstore this year. This is also the first book by this author to be translated from the original Norwegian.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken, and staff of the Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam sing the Vietnamese National Anthem at the celebration of Norway's 212th National Day and the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Norway diplomatic relations on May 15, 2026. (Photo: Quang Hoa)

What about the trade sector, Ambassador? The free trade agreement between Vietnam and the EFTA bloc is entering its final negotiation phase. What are your expectations for the benefits of the Agreement?

Norway, along with Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein, are the four member countries of EFTA. We hope the completion of the FTA negotiations will soon be announced.

The Agreement will open up many opportunities for both sides. EFTA member countries possess numerous advanced technology enterprises, companies in maritime, manufacturing, dynamic financial centers, and especially the energy sector. These are all areas where Vietnam seeks to enhance cooperation. We have many strengths to contribute, and the FTA will provide momentum to further drive investment flows from businesses within the bloc into these sectors.

Conversely, Vietnam is rapidly becoming a dynamic economic hub in Southeast Asia with a thriving business community. The Agreement will bring numerous opportunities for business cooperation between Vietnamese and EFTA enterprises.

A specific benefit of the Agreement that I particularly want to highlight is the opportunity for Vietnamese consumers to access more high-quality seafood products from Norway at more reasonable prices, including salmon. The Norwegian Seafood Council in Vietnam has done an excellent job of bringing Norwegian seafood closer to Vietnamese families, and the new Agreement will certainly bolster this effort, making Norwegian salmon products more accessible to consumers.

2026 marks the final year of your term as Ambassador in Vietnam. Could you share your most cherished experiences and impressions of Vietnam and the bilateral relations?

The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Green Strategic Partnership and the hope for the upcoming completion of FTA negotiations between EFTA and Vietnam will be the most significant achievements in my four years in the S-shaped country.

However, I believe the core of our bilateral relationship lies in the connections between people, nurtured through visits, economic cooperation, and countless forms of exchanges between citizens of both countries. These are strong bonds, promising to open up opportunities for cooperation and shared achievements between the two countries in the future.

For my part, as my four-year term in Vietnam draws to a close, I will cherish the warm, generous, and sincere sentiments of the Vietnamese people – those who have warmly welcomed me and my family throughout our time living and working here. What impresses us about the country and people of Vietnam is the positive energy we feel everywhere.

I hope we will continue to maintain this good and strong relationship between our two countries, governments, businesses, and people. I am very optimistic and confident about the future of this relationship.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!