After electing to bat first the Norwegians struggled against the Vanuatu attack, the only substantial contributions coming from wicketkeeper Suhail Iftikhar (37), the experienced Zeeshan Siddiqui, who top-scored with 45, and Rahul Shinde (38).
Although Iftikhar and Siddiqui shared a 49-run partnership for the third wicket after Nalin Nipiko had struck early for Vanuatu by removing both openers, it took them just over 20 overs to do so.
And while Siddiqui and Shinde more than doubled the score, from 72 for four to 155 for five, progress remained slow, their partnership taking 18 overs.
The Vanuatu spinners proved especially hard to get away, Jelany Chilia conceding just 14 runs from his ten overs and Simpson Obed 21, but Nipiko was the principal wicket-taker with four for 30.
Three run-outs further damaged the Norwegian cause, and the innings closed on a very modest 184 for eight.
The Vanuatu reply began at a gallop, with Joshua Rasu taking a particularly heavy toll of the Norwegian attack. He and his opening partner Ronald Tari took 49 from the powerplay, and went on to 58 before skipper Raza Iqbal secured the breakthrough, Tari becoming the first of three victims behind the stumps for Iftikhar.
Norway were given some hope by Jawad Mir, who bowled Jonathan Dunn in his first over, and eventually finished with four for 17 from his ten overs, his victims including Rasu for a splendid 93-ball 95 which included five fours and as many sixes.
Vanuatu were on 149 for four when Rasu departed, still needing 36, and when Trevor Langa was bowled by Damon Crawford three overs later with just a single added to the total, it seemed that the remaining batsmen might find scoring as difficult as their opponents.
Skipper Andrew Mansale kept a cool head, however, and despite the loss of Obed with 20 still required, he and Patrick Matautaava were able to knock off the runs, completing the four-wicket victory with four overs to spare.