Jun 6, 2008, 11:00 GMT
The Norwegian Royal Family greeted the president of Vietnam yesterday (05.06.08) during his state visit to the European country.
From L-R Queen Sonja and King Harald of Norway, Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet and his wife Tran Thi Kim Chi, Norwegian Premier Jens Stoltenberg and his wife Ingrid Schulerud, and Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway, prior the luncheon at Akershus Castle hosted by the Norwegian Government, in Oslo, Norway 06 June, 2008. Akershus is the second largest county in population after Oslo, with more than half a million inhabitants. EPA/LISE AASERUD NORWAY OUT
King Harald, Queen Sonja and Crown Princess Mette-Marit received Nguyen Minh Triet and his wife Tran Thi Kim Chion a red carpet rolled out in front of the palace in Oslo, while Crown Prince Haakon escorted the presidential couple from their hotel.
After the official welcoming ceremony outside the palace, the president went to the Norwegian parliament while Sonja took his wife on a tour of Oslo's new Opera House.
After lunch at the palace, Nguyen laid a wreath at the Norwegian national monument near the Akershus Fortress and Castle.
However, the state visit was met with some protestors by around 50 Vietnamese immigrants.
They demonstrated against what they claim is a lack of human rights and religious freedom in Vietnam.
The state visit will finish today (06.06.08) with a cruise on the Oslo Fjord aboard the royal yacht Norge.
(C) BANG Media International
Your Talkback on this Story