Viet Nam, Norway head to develop strategic frameworks for cooperation
VGP - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said, Viet Nam wishes to work with Norway to develop strategic frameworks for cooperation in areas such as the marine economy, energy transition, sustainable development, and climate change response.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) and Norwegian Ambassador to Viet Nam Hilde Solbakken at the ceremony, Ha Noi, May 15, 2026 - Photo: VGP
Le made that above statement while addressing the celebration of the 212th anniversary of the Constitution Day of the Kingdom of Norway and the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties which took place in Ha Noi on May 15.
The diplomat said, the friendship between the two nations has continued to deepen via political trust, close bonds between the two sides' peoples, and increasingly concrete and substantive cooperation.
In particular, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Viet Nam-Norway Green Strategic Partnership in recent April has created new momentum for cooperation in the blue economy, renewable energy, and climate change response. Viet Nam remains Norway's second-largest trading partner in ASEAN.
Both sides are actively working towards the early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement between Viet Nam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which will provide a stronger legal foundation and fresh impetus for bilateral trade and investment, she added.
Looking ahead, Viet Nam continues to welcome Norwegian enterprises, corporations, and investment funds to expand their cooperation and presence in the country, thereby contributing to the translation of shared strategic orientations into concrete and substantive projects that bring about tangible benefits to the businesses and peoples of both countries, underlined the Deputy Minister.
"As Viet Nam advances on the path towards its 2030 development goals and vision for 2045, we always treasure Norway as a sincere friend, a trusted partner, and an important companion", she stressed.
The harmonious combination of Norway's governance experience, scientific knowledge, and advanced technology, and Viet Nam's growth potential, strategic position, and young, dynamic workforce, will continue to generate new values, deepening the friendship and partnership between the two countries toward greater substantiveness and effectiveness in the years to come, said Le.
Addressing the event, Norwegian Ambassador to Viet Nam Hilde Solbakken said, the bilateral relationship has evolved, from solidarity in difficult times to a broad and forward-looking partnership built on mutual respect and shared interests in trade, sustainable development and global governance.
'Over the past four years as the Ambassador to Viet Nam, I have witnessed this partnership flourish', she noted, adding that both countries' joint work on circular economy and waste management benefits both people and planet.
Since her arrival, the number of Norwegian companies establishing themselves and investing in Viet Nam has grown by more than 30 per cent.
'I look forward to the future of Norway-Viet Nam cooperation with confidence, optimism, and shared purpose', she added./.
