Norway's support to Economic Development is concentrated within the fishery, hydropower, and oil and gas sectors, as well as private sector development.
Fishery sector
Norway supports several projects within the fishery sector, and there exists long traditions between Norway and Vietnam in this field. Already in the 1970s, it was decided that Norwegian assistance should be directed towards development of the fishery sector. One important event was in 1977 when the Norwegian built research vessel Bien Dong arrived in Vietnam. The ship contributed to the development of the fishery industry as well as to map Vietnam's fishery resources. Bien Dong has been an important contribution to marine research in Vietnam, and there has been a close co-operation between Norwegian and Vietnamese researchers from the institutes of marine research in Bergen and in Hai Phong.
In co-operation with the Ministry of Fisheries, Norway has contributed with financial and technical assistance to the preparation of the establishment of Vietnam Fisheries Law, which passed through the National Assembly and became effective in July 2004.
Assistance is provided for these projects:
Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 (RIA No 1):
Norway provides assistance for the sector of education and research in the field of sustainable aquaculture and management improvements of Vietnam`s fishery resources. Norway supports this institute to help develop fish species and technology suitable for fresh water and marine fish farming at household level in the poorest communities in mountainous areas and by the cost. The second phase of the project ends 2007. The project has been supported since 1999. The development objective of the project is to contribute to poverty alleviation through increased use of sustainability aquaculture in Vietnam and the immediate objective is to attain improved capacity of RIA No 1 in research, education and extension based on demand and appropriate needs of small scale aquaculturists in northern Vietnam. This cooperation is currently in its 3rd phase.
Contract Period: 2002- 2008
NOK: 20. 292 000
University of Nha Trang
Norway supports this institution to improve the university's training and research capacity. The university has cooperated closely with Norwegian institutions such as Norwegian College of Fishery Science/University of Tromsø, Norwegian University of Science and Technology in Trondheim and University of Bergen. The purpose is to upgrade the most important educational institution in the fishery sector so it will be capable to meet the requirements from the sector. Phase 1 of the project targeted aquaculture, economics and biotechnology. The next phase starting from 2008 will build on enhanced skills through the development of significant research activities, which will both meet the needs of the fisheries and aquaculture sectors in Vietnam and raise the profile and reputation of the university both regionally and internationally. Together with NOMA - FAME, Norad supports International Masters Programme in Fisheries and Aquaculture Economics and Management.
Contract Period: 2003- 2008
NOK: 23. 527 000
Oil and gas
Since the 1970s, Vietnam and Norway have enjoyed a close co-operation in the field of energy and the collaboration is still highly active. As a major oil exporting country, Norway possesses a considerable degree of expertise, knowledge and technology. When opening the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi in 1996, the Norwegian Prime Minister Gro Harlem Brundtland emphasised that Norway will share this competence and experience with Vietnam.
Development of Management Sytems on HSE in the Vietnamese Petroleum Industry
Norway supports Petrovietnam in this project. The first phase was initiated in 1996, the second phase was approved in 2001, and phase III started in 2007. The goal of phase III is the same as for the first two phases; namely to further the development of health, safety and environmental management in the Vietnamese oil and gas industry so that major accidents and environmental hazards are avoided.
Hydropower
National Hydropower Plan (NHP)
Norway has provided technical assistance and support to the development of the for hydropower development and flood control in the major rivers in Vietnam together with Swedish SIDA. The purpose is to define the impact of hydropower development on the environment and the population as well as to contribute to a sustainable, environmentally as well as socially sound management of the water resources in Vietnam. Thereafter, these projects will be prioritised and made subject to national ranking.
Licensing Hydropower
It was initiated in September 2006 and aims to establish an efficient and transparent system for projects and to build adequate competence of personnel involved in the licensing process through various forms of training. Partners here are MONRE and NUE.
Contract Period: 2006- 2009
NOK: 8. 850 000
Maritime Sector
Vinashin Shipbuilding Training Project
Together with other Norwegian donors, Norway supports this project which aims to raise the competence of the shipbuilding industry in Vietnam. More specifically, the goal is to provide the essential knowledge in shipbuilding management, technology and quality monitoring in order to comply to international standards required for export products.
Contract Period: 2006- 2009
NOK: 11. 000 000
Norway also supports a shipping course opened by BI Shipping and the Foreign Trade University in Vietnam. The primary goal of the project is to build local competence within shipping, trade and logistics and transfer skills in maritime education to the university.