Six art works of five Norwegian artists Torbjorn Kvasbo, Marit Tingleff, Tyra Tingleff, Marianne Heske and Finn Christensen and Vietnamese artist Nguyễn Thành Chương were introduced at an Art Exchange event organized at the Residence of Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam, Ms Grete Løchen on 25 November 2021, which marks the 50th anniversary of establishment of Norway-Vietnam diplomatic ties (1971-2021). The event was attended online and physically by over 50 people from different generations of local artists, arts researchers, scholars, critics, students and art lovers in Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City.
In her welcoming remarks to online and physical guests Ambassador Grete Løchen highlighted the special meaning of the cultural exchange event as it happened on 25 November – the date that Norway and Vietnam officially established diplomatic relations 50 years ago in 1971. “It is even more special in a way it is organized in my Residence – a French-style villa, an iconic element of the Hanoi Capital City. To us, this is the symbol of Norway-Vietnam friendship because this is a combination of Vietnamese and Norwegian histories, cultures and traditions through the originality of the villa and the furniture and decoration of the Norwegian Scandinavian styles. This is a really special way to celebrate this important milestone on the relations of the two countries”.
It was a great opportunity for the Vietnamese audience to meet Norwegian artists virtually and discuss the topics of the mutual interest, including varieties of conceptual arts work, technical and professional aspects, inspiration for creativity, and broader cross-cutting themes such as women’s representation in arts, challenges particularly during the pandemic time etc. The professional context might be different between Norway and Vietnam, but the artists all shared a strong love and passion to arts and to what they are doing and pursuing.
From Oslo Ms Marit Tingleff and Mr. Torbjorn Kvasbo – Norwegian masters of ceramics and clays shared with the audience their studios, how they work on a pottery, ceramic sculpture works. Their clips and stories exposed to the Vietnamese audience a different way of making ceramic works, sculptures and decorative objects. It was interesting to know, Asian including Vietnamese ceramic and pottery had a certain impact on their creative works.
In his presentation, artist Torbjorn Kvasbo, who is the current President of The International Academy of Ceramics (IAC) called for interest and membership from Vietnam ceramic and pottery artists and processionals. He said “Vietnamese pottery and ceramics has a long and diverse history spanning back to thousands of years ago, including long before Chinese domination. There are still traditional ceramic villages as Bat Trang, Tho Ha, and Phu Lang, but it is difficult to get a picture of contemporary ceramic art in Vietnam. IAC has yet no members from Vietnam. We are actively working on recruiting members from underrepresented regions of the world. We want to connect, to know more about conditions for colleagues, education of ceramicists, exhibitions and events, all over the world. IAC is very interested in information about the contemporary ceramic field in Vietnam. If any Vietnamese colleague listen to this, convey information to me, I will be grateful for this”.
Norwegian Ambassador’s guest of honour, artist Nguyen Thanh Chuong, was very happy to be part of this special exchange event. “I am very happy to have a lacquer painting in this arts collection of Ambassador Grete Løchen. I painted it in 1996, which was also the year Norway started to use the Residence. What a coincidence. Be you a Norwegian or a Vietnamese, it does not matter, because art is a naturally bridge across cultures. Arts will definitely help us understand each other’s cultures more”.
In particular, the event was attended by two couples of Vietnamese and Norwegian mother-daughter artists - Ms Marit Tingleff and Ms Tyra Tingleff, Ms Le Kim My and Ms Vu Kim Thu. Together they discussed the advantages and challenges to female artists in Norway and Vietnam, how family tradition helps in nurturing their love to arts, how to balance the social and family roles as well as to keep their passion to arts.
A life and work of a young Norwegian female artist, career choices and family tradition influence were presented to the audience through the story of Tyra Tingleff (taking part in the event from Berlin).
“It was such an interesting event with very open exchanges. The stories shared by guest artists were honest and true about their professional concerns and queries. A cold winter evening in Hanoi got heated by the questions and discussion from the artists. Norwegian Ambassador Grete Løchen offered a unique opportunity for us to know more about Norway as a country and a culture”, said fine artist Vuong Trong Duc, Lecturer of Department of Printmaking & Design.
Hanoi, – On 28 October 2021, Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Ms. Grete Løchen joined by Commercial Counsellor Arne-Kjetil Lian met with the Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade (MOIT) Mr Nguyễn Hồng Diên, and handed over to him a Vietnam Supply Chain Study Report for offshore wind. The Report was completed by Equinor – a Norwegian broad energy company, member of the Norwegian Energy Partners (NORWEP), which is committed to providing affordable energy for societies worldwide and taking a leading role in the energy transition. The Report also received very constructive technical inputs from the MOIT Electricity and Renewable Energy Authority (EREAV).
The 70-page-long Report provides an overview of the entire supply chain for Vietnam’s offshore wind industry including key players, current status, advantages and remaining gaps, with recommendations on what Vietnam can prioritize in intervention to stimulate the growth of a strong, local supply chain, and thereby create more skilled jobs, and export to other offshore wind markets. The Report also highlights opportunities that offshore wind brings to Vietnamese suppliers and identifies areas that Norwegian and foreign companies can work with Vietnamese partners to build offshore wind projects, generate power at lower costs, and gradually make renewable energy affordable for all.
“I am very happy to hand this Study Report over to Minister Dien today. This is particularly meaningful in the context that we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of Norway-Vietnam diplomatic relations this year. The two countries have enjoyed a good relationship in numerous areas and renewable energy is a new potential one. With its long-established expertise and advanced technologies, Norway and our companies are willing to share it with Vietnamese partners for our mutual benefits and the common goals regarding climate change and sustainable development”, said Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam Ms. Grete Løchen.
The Government of Vietnam (GoV) acknowledges the urgent needs for climate actions and a greener energy transition. By ratifying the Paris Agreement, Vietnam, like other member countries, is very aware of the dangers posed by climate change and global emissions. Shifting from coal to greener and cleaner energy is an indispensable way forward.
With over 3000 kilometers of coastlines, Vietnam has an abundant offshore wind resource and is an emerging market for offshore wind. According to the World Bank , offshore wind has the potential to supply 12% of Vietnam’s electricity by 2035. By gradually replacing coal-fired generation, this could help reduce to avoid over 200 million metric tons of CO2 emissions and add at least US$50 billion to Vietnam’s economy from a strong local supply chain, job creation and exports. It will also attract more long-term international climate financing and investments to the country.
While challenges in regulatory and policy need to be resolved in order to support large-scale deployment of offshore wind, international developers and investors including Norwegian are queuing up to exploit the opportunities. Vietnam has an extensive offshore oil & gas industry, and in order for it to work in synergy with the offshore wind, the local supply chain needs to beef up its ability to support the large scale build out of offshore turbines.
“Vietnam is already in a good position concerning making a sustainable offshore wind supply chain given existing industries and businesses with oil, shipyards construction etc. Transformation into renewable energy/offshore wind is realistic and within reach. Offshore wind requires technologies, which is a strength of Norwegian companies. Our companies are ready to collaborate with local partners, share expertise and technologies to help build a strong supply chain in Vietnam, and contribute to Vietnam’s sustainable economic growth and energy transition” said Norwegian Trade Counsellor, Arne-Kjetil Lian.
Local news about the event: Vietnam aims for greener energy transition | VOV.VN
On 22 October 2021, MUNCH museum will open in a brand-new building by Oslo’s waterfront. MUNCH is home to the world's largest collection of works by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The new museum will trace the artist’s profound influence both on modern art and on artists through to the present day. Alongside displays of iconic artworks from the renowned permanent collection, temporary exhibitions will show Edvard Munch’s lasting influence in his own contemporary society, as well as on today’s generation of artists.
On this occasion and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Norway diplomatic ties (1971-2021), the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi and the MUNCH Museum jointly held a digital press meeting for local reporters and museums across Vietnam on afternoon, 5 October 2021.
The event was hosted by Norwegian Ambassador to Vietnam, Ms Grete Lochen and the Director of the MUNCH museum in Oslo, Norway, Mr. Stein Olav Henrichsen.
Click here for further details.
More on local newspapers:
On 21 May 2021, the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries (MTIF) represented by State Secretary Ms. Trine Danielsen and the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Devevelopment (MARD) represented by Deputy Minister Phùng Đức Tiến signed a Letter of Intent on strengthening and developing cooperation in the marine aquaculture industry.
The Signing Ceremony was held virtually at MARD with the participation of Ambassador of Norway to Vietnam Ms Grete Lochen, Norwegian Commercial Counsellor Mr Arne-Kjetil Lian and relevant departments of MARD.
Deputy Minister Tien was very happy that the two Ministries have agreed to sign this LOI. “This serves as the basis to facilitate and support our authorities, academia and businesses in their cooperation for the development of marine aquaculture industry”, he said.
Expressing her wish to visit Vietnam, the State Secretary said “This event was supposed to happen last year as part of an official visit by MTIF Minister to Vietnam, but was cancelled due to the Covid-19. This is another step to boost Norway-Vietnam cooperation in this sector.”
“2021 is a special year for Norway and Vietnam as we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of our dipplomatic ties. Building on nearly 40 years of effective and close cooperation in the fisheries sector, I believe this would further enhance the cooperation between the two Ministries and our businesses in the marine aquaculture industry and thus promote bilateral trade and investment”, said Ambassador Grete Lochen.
Before that, a Webinar on developing Vietnam’s marine aquaculture on industrial scale co-organized by the Royal Norwegian Embassy, Innovation Norway, MARD, and Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), which attracted more than 150 participants.
Click here for news about the event on the local news.
More news articles:
https://scandasia.com/norway-signed-aquamarine-agreement-to-collaborate-with-mard-vietnam/
Ambassador Grete Løchen's message on the 17 of May in English and Vietnamese.
On the 2021 International Women’s Day, Ambassador Grete Løchen and female Ambassadors of Bulgaria, the Netherland and Sweden launched a challenge to find their Ambassadors for a Day among the female challange-takers.
Ms Do Quyen, a 12th grader from Hanoi-Amsterdam High School for the Gifted, was selected as the ambassador for a day at the Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi. Together with Ambassador Grete Løchen, she had a hectic day with multiple activities. The highlight was her meeting with the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) representative in Vietnam, Ms Naomi Kitahara to discuss gender equality in Vietnam, focusing on gender-based violence and gender biased sex selection (GBSS). Ms Do Quyen represented young people raising concerns over the gender inequality in Vietnam. She said this issue has earned significant attention by people of her age.
Quyen was also given an Embassy's T-shirt with the 50th anniversary logo.
Click here for a detailed article.
Yesterday, our Norwegian Honorary Consul in Ho Chi Minh City Mr Arild Haugan, on behalf of the Norwegian Embassy, awarded the First Prize to Ms Do Vuong Nguyet Linh, the winner of the Embassy’s Logo Contest for 50th anniversary of Norway-Vietnam diplomatic ties. Ms Linh is a third-year graphic design student of the Architecture University in Ho Chi Minh City.
“I used red as the colour for the logo because this is the dominant colour of the national flags of both countries. I also combined number 50 and the Infinity symbol to highlight this important milestone in the Norway-Vietnam diplomatic relations and its enternity”, shared Linh.
Mr Arild Haugan was very happy to give away the Certificate of Appreciation from Ambassador Grete Lochen and the 1st prize, which is an Ipad, to Linh. As a member of the Evaluation Panel of the Logo Contest, Mr Arild Haugan said “There were many good submissions and it was very difficult for us to decide this winning logo”.
Click here for a detailed article.