Vietnam and norway

A Norwegian naval officer stands trial on Monday accused of negligence that led to the 2018 collision between a warship he commanded and an oil tanker in which the military vessel sank. Building a replacement for the lost Helge Ingstad frigate would cost up to 13 billion crowns ($1.3 billion), the armed forces estimated in a 2019 report. The early-morning crash between the Ingstad and the fully loaded Sola TS crude carrier near a major North Sea oil export terminal also triggered shutdowns of parts of Norway's petroleum production. There was no leak from the oil tanker. Members of the 137-strong Ingstad crew described waking up in the middle of the night as water poured into their cabins and alarms went off as they tried in vain to save the ship, although they suffered only minor injuries. The defendant was the officer in charge on the bridge of the Ingstad at the time. "He did not display caution and did not take the precautions that safe navigation requires," prosecutor … [Read more...] about Norway naval officer goes on trial over oil tanker collision

Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken is eager to visit temples and pagodas in the capital city to see how they are decorated for Tet. Celebrating the first Tet in Hanoi, the Ambassador loves to explore Hanoi during a time with less traffic and its culture in the biggest traditional holiday of Vietnamese people. The Hanoi Times is honored to introduce her thoughts. Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken. My husband, our daughter, and I arrived in Hanoi in August 2022. This will be our first Tet in Vietnam. We heard a lot about Tet and its related ritual ceremonies: saying goodbye to the Kitchen Gods, paying tribute to one's ancestors and Mother Nature on New Year’s Eve, picking the first footer… We love Hanoi and look forward to exploring the city during a time with less traffic. We hope to be able to pay a visit to the temples and pagodas in Hanoi to see the decorations and offerings placed there during Tet. I feel very privileged … [Read more...] about Norway Ambassador expects to visit pagodas in Hanoi in first Tet

Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken and her family ask for calligraphy in Vietnamese. The tradition of collecting letters has become part of Vietnamese culture whenever the Lunar New Year arrives. (Photo: VNA) The Norwegian Ambassador asks for “Xanh” (green) calligraphy, which symbolises hope for peace in the world, especially in the context of formidable challenges around the globe. (Photo: VNA) Through the calligraphy, the Ambassador expects that Vietnam and Norway will see further cooperation in the fields of green economy, the circular economy, and energy transition. (Photo: VNA) She also asks for “Hanh Phuc” (Happiness) calligraphy to have happiness year-round. (Photo: VNA) For Norwegians, the New Year holiday is also a time for family reunions. (Photo: VNA) By VNA … [Read more...] about Norwegian Ambassador experiences Vietnamese Tet traditions

The Vietnam National Textile and Garment Group projects that the industry’s export turnover reached $44 billion for 2022, an annual increase of 8.8 per cent. A garment factory in Hung Yen province (Photo: VNA) Meanwhile, according to the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, output slowed in the last three months of the year, but owing to robust growth in the preceding three quarters, the export result ended up as an increase of 10 per cent from 2021. Typically, Q4 is the peak production period for export firms such as textiles, but this time around orders plummeted drastically, pushing businesses to produce goods they had never made before to find customers. The present moment is not only challenging for Vietnam’s textile and apparel sector, but also for the worldwide market. According to Asian Development Bank research, while economic development is expected to slow in 2023, meagre incomes in the United States will continue to rise, and already accounted for … [Read more...] about More responsible operations to help expand textile chains

The diplomats highlight solidarity in the message on the Vietnamese traditional holiday – Tet 2023 Ambassadors of G4 (Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Switzerland) have called for inclusion in a Tet message that recognizes and values all people as equal partners. Ambassador of New Zealand to Vietnam Tredene Dobson and children at Maison Chance in Hanoi. Photos: G4 Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Hilde Solbakken (2nd from left) and Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil (3rd left) deliver Tet wishes. Nicole Wyrsch, Chargé d'Affaires of Switzerland to Vietnam (2nd left) with a wish for "Suc khoe" (Health). Ambassador Hilde Solbakken and children say "Chuc Mung Nam Moi" (Happy New Year). Participants wish a happy new year. Ambassadors on wheelchairs in an impressive Tet message. … [Read more...] about G4 Ambassadors deliver inclusive Tet message

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a list of selected news summaries last night by the Vietnam News Agency. - The Vietnamese Government always values the development of traditional friendship with Portugal, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Joao Gomes Cravinho during a reception in Hanoi on January 18. PM Chinh suggested both sides facilitate visits, especially those at high level to raise mutual understanding and political trust, as well as fully and effectively tap existing cooperation mechanisms and build new ones to step up collaboration in promising areas that match their interests. Read full story - The 15th National Assembly's third extraordinary meeting took place in Hanoi on January 18 under the chair of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. At the meeting, the legislature listened to a proposal by the NA Standing Committee on relieving Nguyen Xuan Phuc from the position as President of Vietnam for the 2021-2026 tenure and allowing him to … [Read more...] about ☀️ Morning digest January 19

Tet celebration by Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland held a programme celebrating the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival on January 22, the first day of Tet, with overseas Vietnamese, students and trainees taking part. Speaking at the event, Ambassador Phung The Long said two-way trade hit 2.3 billion USD last year, up nearly 2% year on year, with Vietnam enjoying a surplus. The country is now the third biggest economic partner of Switzerland in Southeast Asia. The two countries are pushing on with negotiations for the signing of a free trade deal between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association grouping Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, he said. The diplomat wished the Vietnamese community in Switzerland a new year of good health, happiness and success. The same day, leaders of the Vietnamese Embassy and the Vietnamese association in the Czech Republic visited and extended New Year … [Read more...] about New Year celebrations in Switzerland, Czech Republic

Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil passes the ball during a special match between the representatives of the four G4 countries (Photo taken from the video clip) HCM City (VNA) – Ambassadors and Chargé d'affaires to Vietnam of the G4 countries, namely New Zealand, Canada, Norway and Switzerland, recently visited Village Chance - a complex of schools and apartments for the disabled, poor and orphaned children, in Ho Chi Minh City ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. They played sports with disabled children and conveyed New Year wishes which were recorded in a video clip lasting over three minutes. Founded in 1993, Village Chance is part of Maison Chance project invested by Maison Chance whose founder is Tim Aline Rebeaud, a Swiss woman dedicated to the disabled and the poor in Vietnam, and the HCM City Sponsoring Association for Poor Patients. It has supported hundreds of the less fortunate in Vietnam since its establishment. New Zealand Ambassador … [Read more...] about Diplomats of G4 countries visit HCM City-based Village Chance

On the occasion of the Tet Lunar New Year, ambassadors of the G4 countries including New Zealand, Canada, Norway, and Switzerland made colorful cookies themselves to welcome New Year and send messages on gender-based violence. On the eve of the New Year of the Tiger, New Zealand Ambassador Tredene Dobson, Norwegian Ambassador Grete Lochen, Canadian Ambassador Deborah Paul, and Swiss Ambassador Ivo Sieber (G4 countries) visited Hope Box organization, the organization that supports and helps victims of gender-based violence, which has headquarter in Hanoi. At the beginning of the video, the ambassadors - some ride bicycles, others ride motorbikes themselves - choose to buy beautiful peach blossom branches and kumquat trees and bring them to Hope Box as gifts. The ambassadors and sisters of Hope Box made Tet cookies together and broadcast the message of "hope" in the traditional Tet Lunar New Year. Through the special visit, the ambassadors hope to contribute to raising awareness … [Read more...] about G4 ambassadors make cookies for Tet and send messages on gender equality

Situated in the southern province of Ba Ria - Vung Tau, Con Dao island has been named among the top 16 best island vacations in the world, as compiled by tourism magazine Condé Nast Traveler (CNTraveler) of the United States. Con Dao is named in the list of among 16 best island vacations in the world. According to the publication, in its location off the nation’s southern coast, Con Dao is a small island with very little commercial development. “With this, the beaches are quiet and the few resort options allow for a special retreat,” says Condé Nast Traveler. The article noted that the beaches are typically long with soft sand, making them perfect for light water sports like SUP and kayaking. Condé Nast Traveler stated that the downtown area boasts a quaint seaside atmosphere with small restaurants, whilst there are also plenty of historical connections for visitors to explore. According to the magazine, a visit in August can allow holiday goers to have … [Read more...] about Con Dao among 16 best island vacations in the world