In November 1971, Norway set up diplomatic relations with Vietnam. 40 years later, in November 2011, it was time to celebrate this long-standing partnership. Three Vietnamese cities, Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, geared up for celebratory events, and the Norwegian Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mr Lars Peder Brekk, flew in from Norway to partake on behalf of the Norwegian government.
In his political meetings with Vice-Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Minister of Forest and Agriculture Cao Duc Phat, issues such as agricultural and forestry cooperation, food safety and impacts of climate change were discussed, in addition to possible free trade negotiations between Vietnam and the EFTA-countries. The Norwegian Minister was very pleased with the many fruitful discussions with Vietnamese counterparts during his stay.
Cooperation in many shapes and forms
The official celebrations of the 40 year jubilee started in Hanoi on 25 November, where Minister Brekk first participated in a symposium where Norwegian and Vietnamese institutions from academia and the business sector shared experiences and discussed future cooperation projects.
Classical concert - a cultural highlight
In the evening, friends of Vietnam and Norway gathered at Hanoi Opera House for a reception and a classical concert. Expectations were high as Vietnamese and Norwegian musicians entered to applause from a full concert hall. Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Minister Brekk shared their remarks about the longstanding relationship between the two countries with the audience before the Vietnamese National Symphony Orchestra, in collaboration with Norwegian musicians, started the musical part of the event.
Under the guidance of the Norwegian conductor Alf Richard Kraggerud, the two young violinists Ludvig Gudim (12 years old) and Do Phuong Nhi (13 years old) excelled in their performance. When the two children lowered their violins, the concert hall erupted in extatic applause.
The concert was set up and performed by musicians taking part in the Transposition programme, a musical exchange programme between Vietnam and Norway.
Celebrations from North to South
The 40-year anniversary was also celebrated in other parts of the country. A friendship concert in the Ho Chi Minh City Opera House took place on 27 November. In Hue, a celebratory seminar with Norwegian non-governmental organizations and their local partners was organized.
To read the speech Minister of Agriculture and Food Mr Lars Peder Brekk’s gave during the symposium in Hanoi, please click here.To read his speech before the concert in Hanoi Opera House, please click here.