Viet Nam, Norway strengthen cooperation in marine forecasting capacity

The event is part of activities implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on Capacity Building for Weather Forecasting and Climate Services for 2024–2028 between the two agencies. It aims to enhance Viet Nam’s forecasting capability and strengthen resilience to extreme weather and marine disasters.

Erlend Skutlaberg, First Secretary of the Norwegian Embassy in Viet Nam, noted that in recent weeks, Viet Nam’s central provinces, including Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Ngai, have suffered record rainfall and severe flooding. “The devastating losses remind us of the urgent need to strengthen forecasting capacity and develop effective disaster risk management strategies. This is not only a scientific imperative but also a humanitarian responsibility,” he said.

The workshop marks an important milestone in the longstanding partnership between Norway and Viet Nam in meteorology, ocean science, and disaster risk reduction. The two nations share a commitment to advancing scientific knowledge and practical solutions in marine forecasting, a mission made even more significant as both face increasing challenges from extreme weather and climate change.

According to Dang Thanh Mai, Deputy Director General of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, adopting innovative forecasting methods, particularly for marine-related natural disasters, will deliver practical value to Viet Nam’s forecasters and contribute to national disaster prevention and sustainable socio-economic development. She added that the cooperation aligns with the Party and State’s policies on science, technology, and international integration, especially the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, and Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on proactive international integration by 2030.

Over the past decade, Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), and the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Hanoi have actively supported collaboration between Viet Nam’s forecasting agency and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. The partnership has focused on experience sharing, technology transfer, and pilot applications in wave and current forecasting, as well as training programs to improve the skills of Vietnamese forecasters and technicians.

The cooperation has produced notable outcomes, including 15 joint research papers published in international journals and conferences. Many Vietnamese professionals have attended short- and medium-term training courses in Norway and domestically. The knowledge and techniques gained have been effectively applied to daily forecasting operations, improving the accuracy and reliability of Viet Nam’s meteorological and oceanographic reports.

During the two-day workshop, experts from both countries shared insights on marine forecasting models, wave prediction, and advanced tools such as the Copernicus Marine Service, OpenDrift system, and MetOcean statistical tools for marine spatial planning. Sessions also explored the application of artificial intelligence (AI) in storm surge prediction in Viet Nam. These discussions are expected to enhance the precision of marine forecasts and early warning systems, strengthening coastal resilience and supporting sustainable blue economy development.

The Viet Nam - Norway collaboration in marine forecasting builds on more than a decade of technical cooperation and shared scientific research. Since 2013, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute has assisted Viet Nam in applying advanced systems such as the Regional Ocean Modeling System (ROMS) and the open-source OpenDrift framework for simulating ocean currents, waves, and pollutant dispersion. These technologies have allowed Viet Nam’s coastal forecasting stations to issue more accurate marine warnings and improve the management of storm surges and tidal hazards.

In addition to model development, the partnership has strengthened the use of remote-sensing data, satellite imagery, and statistical tools to monitor sea-state changes and support marine spatial planning. The MetOcean platform, for example, enables Vietnamese forecasters to analyse long-term patterns of waves, winds, and tides, essential information for maritime transport, aquaculture zoning, and offshore wind energy planning.

Through ongoing support from Norway’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), the collaboration has evolved from capacity building to joint scientific research and technology transfer. Vietnamese experts have participated in regional training courses across Asia, benefiting from Norway’s experience in Arctic and North Sea forecasting systems and adapting these techniques to tropical monsoon conditions in the East Sea.

These advancements have practical implications for Viet Nam’s blue economy strategy. More accurate wave and surge forecasts now help safeguard aquaculture, fisheries, and shipping operations, while improving safety for offshore energy and tourism sectors. They also enable the authorities to issue earlier and more reliable warnings to coastal communities, reducing disaster impacts and economic losses.

The partnership further supports Viet Nam’s national goals under the Politburo’s Resolutions No. 57-NQ/TW and 59-NQ/TW, focusing on science, innovation, and proactive international integration. Both sides are expected to continue research exchange under the 2024–2028 Memorandum of Understanding, with an emphasis on integrating artificial intelligence, open-data platforms, and real-time marine monitoring systems into Viet Nam’s operational network.