After four years in Hanoi, Norwegian ambassador Hilde Solbakken is concluding her term in Vietnam.
The ambassador paid a farewell visit to Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade on 8 July as she concluded her term as ambassador, which began in 2022.
Trade and energy ties highlighted
During the meeting, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Phan Thi Thang thanked the ambassador for her contribution to trade and industrial cooperation between Norway and Vietnam, according to Vietnamese state media outlet Vietnam.vn.
The ministry also highlighted the conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) on 2 July during Solbakken’s tenure.
Once signed and ratified, the agreement is expected to increase trade and investment between Vietnam and the EFTA member states of Norway, Iceland, Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
According to the ministry, trade between Norway and Vietnam reached US$855 million in 2025, an increase of 61.8 percent over five years.
The ministry also pointed to growing cooperation between the two countries in green energy and offshore wind, including cooperation involving Norway’s Equinor and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN).
During the farewell meeting, Solbakken said she hopes to continue contributing to relations between Norway and Vietnam in the future.
