The Norwegian Royal Family greeted the president of Vietnam yesterday June 5, 2008 during his state visit to the European country.
King Harald, Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit received Nguyen Minh Triet and his wife Tran Thi Kim Chion a red carpet rolled out in front of the palace in Oslo, while Crown Prince Haakon escorted the presidential couple from their hotel.
After the official welcoming ceremony outside the palace, the president went to the Norwegian parliament while Sonja took his wife on a tour of Oslo’s new Opera House.
After lunch at the palace, Nguyen laid a wreath at the Norwegian national monument near the Akershus Fortress and Castle.
However, the state visit was met with some protestors by around 50 Vietnamese immigrants.
They demonstrated against what they claim is a lack of human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam.
The state visit will finish Friday June 6, 2008 with a cruise on the Oslo Fjord aboard the royal yacht Norge.
