He was an honorary member of the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters. He also held honorary doctorates at the University of Oslo, Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada, and at St. Olaf College in Minnesota. He was awarded the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of St. Olav (in 1991; previously Knight 1st class in 1965, and Commander in 1970), Knight of the Order of Vasa, and he was presented with the Norwegian Red Cross Badge of Honour for his efforts in Finnmark during World War II. He received a lifetime government grant from the Norwegian government from 1970. He was the subject of a 1981 National Film Board of Canada (NFB) documentary "The Man Who Discovered America", and subsequently appeared along with his wife in the 1984 NFB film, "The Vinland Mystery". In 1986, he was presented Arts Council Norway's honor award. , the fourth of the five s of the Royal Norwegian Navy was named after Helge Ingstad.