Norway’s oldest fully-rigged ship arrives in HCM City
Sorlandet, the oldest fully-rigged ship in operation of Norway, docked Khanh Hoi port in Ho Chi Minh City on August 30 as part of activities marking 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Norway diplomatic ties.
Sorlandet is the world’s oldest fully-rigged ship and a unique heritage in Norway’s maritime history (Photo: sggp.org.vn)
HCM City (VNA)༒ – Sorlandet, the oldest fully-rigged ship in operation of Norway, docked Khanh Hoi port in Ho Chi Minh City on August 30 as part of activities marking 45 years since Vietnam and Norway set up diplomatic ties.
The Norwegian Embassy in Vietnam, the Norwegian Consulate in HCM City and the country’s trade office held a meeting on the ship the same day with representatives of Vietnam’s media and Norwegian companies operating in the southern city.
Sorlandet is also the world’s oldest fully-rigged ship and a unique heritage in Norway’s maritime history. It was built in 1927, functioning as a school of navigation.
HCM City is a destination in its first voyage around the world in 2016. The ship is carrying Norway’s high school students who will engage in exchanges with their peers in countries Sorlandet stops during the trip.
About 60 Norwegian businesses are working in the south of Vietnam in such industries as aquaculture, shipbuilding, oil and gas, and information technology-communication.-VNA
A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of the NA Nguyen Dinh Quyen visited Norway, aiming to strengthen cooperation between the two countries’ legislatures.
Vietnam and Norway agreed to foster cooperation in marine economic activities during the eighth political consultation at the deputy foreign ministerial level in Hanoi on May 20.
Vietnam’s cultural space has attracted attention from locals and international visits at the Culture and Language Festival, which was held in Norway’s capital city of Oslo, on May 21.
More than 5,000 people gathered at Dam Sen Cultural Park in Ho Chi Minh City for the solidarity walk for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin (AO), marking the 64th anniversary of the AO disaster in Vietnam (August 10, 1961 – 2025).
The embassy advises Vietnamese citizens travelling in Greece that they should avoid standing close to cliff edges, boat sides, and refrain from going out to sea during storms to prevent unfortunate incidents.
Hanoi is advancing green transportation as part of its sustainability goals but faces challenges like limited charging infrastructure, inconsistent regulations, and high electric vehicle costs.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
Sorlandet is the world’s oldest fully-rigged ship and a unique heritage in Norway’s maritime history (Photo: sggp.org.vn)
