On October 22nd 2021, Mr. Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Vietnam accompanied by the Embassy officials paid a courtesy visit to Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM). On this occasion, he emphasized the significance of Research Center of Nuclear Science and Technology (CNST) project and said that if the Vietnamese leaders made a decision to return to the national nuclear program, the CNST Project would be the starting point in the program development.
The meeting was hosted by the President of VINATOM, Dr. Tran Chi Thanh at its headquarters in Hanoi. In addition, the Vice Presidents, Dr. Tran Ngoc Toan and Dr. Pham Quang Minh, the leaders and selected officials of the research institutes and centers under VINATOM participated in this event.
Ambassador of the Russian Federation on his arrival at VINATOM
At the meeting, the President Tran Chi Thanh expressed his gratitude for the interest and aids of the former Soviet Union and the current Russian Federation for Vietnam in applying atomic energy for peaceful purposes in terms of training human resources. The distinguished scientists who completed their education in the former Soviet Union play an important role in laying the foundation and developing Vietnam’s nuclear industry. In addition, one of valuable and meaningful works the Soviet Union supported Vietnam is the restoration of the operation of Da Lat nuclear research reactor.
The President Tran Chi Thanh highlighted that the successful implementation of the CNST project would be an opportunity for Vietnam atomic energy industry not only to preserve the accumulated capabilities for many years, but also to make more contributions to the future development process of Vietnam in many aspects. For instance, it helps to enhance the level of science and technology, expand the applications of nuclear techniques, radiation technology, radioisotopes in industries to serve socio-economic development. Currently, the Center project is still in the preparation stage for the implementation of the Feasibility Study Report (FS), but it has caught the attention of Russian nuclear researchers, especially those from the Dubna Joint Institute for Nuclear Research (JINR). Recently, JINR has shown its desire to use a neutron channel in the new reactor for conducting research in Vietnam. Also, JINR is willing to make some equipment investments to effectively exploit the neutron flux when the reactor is put into operation and considers it as a branch of JINR in Southeast Asia. This prospect of technological exploitation will open up further opportunities for Vietnam to appeal to scientists inside and outside of the region to work and research here.
VINATOM won the praise from the Ambassador Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko for its great efforts in various areas of applying nuclear technology in Vietnam, such as experimental nuclear research on Da Lat nuclear reactor and radioisotope production which have benefited the healthcare, agriculture and industry during the time. The well-established relationship of Russian Ambassadors over the years with VINATOM is a good tradition and is clearly shown by the continuous cooperation between both sides in the field of nuclear technology.
The President gave the gift to the Ambassador
In the Ambassador’s view, it is valuable that VINATOM has maintained its capabilities in the field of nuclear technology in the current situation. The Ambassador noted this issue is increasingly urgent day by day. Before our eyes, we see the sign of a radical change in the approach to nuclear technology on a global scale. The mounting price of carbon dioxide and the adverse impacts linked to global climate change are spurring the European countries, the US, China and others, including those being anti-nuclear such as Germany and Great Britain, to reconsider their nuclear programs. This is a global trend. The ambassador also affirmed Russia’s willingness in helping Vietnam to resume its nuclear power program.
Moreover, the Ambassador expressed his satisfaction of the two countries’ steadily developed cooperation. Currently, the key project is the construction project of CNST implemented on the basis of the Intergovernmental Agreement dated November 21, 2011. The Ambassador shared that Russia recognized VINATOM’s efforts in implementing this project, overcoming the difficulties related to the preparation of the project documents as required by the Laws of Vietnam and clarifying the necessity and safety of the CNST Project. Russia constantly provides the highest level of support for the project. Upon the visit of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Russia scheduled in November 2021, particularly at the meeting with President Vladimir Putin, this issue will certainly be further discussed.
The Ambassador hopes that Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam will soon prepare the bidding documents to make FS for the CNST project and sign the contract by the end of this year. It is necessary for VINATOM to pay close attention to this matter. The Embassy of the Russian Federation and Rosatom are ready to offer any needed support to VINATOM.
The Ambassador at the Exhibition Room where the history of VINATOM is displayed
In terms of the cooperation plans in atomic energy, the key contents proposed by the President Tran Chi Thanh included the research and applications of irradiation technology, the research and construction of radiation monitoring stations, the research on rare earths and the exchange cooperation in training and human resource development.
At closing, the President Tran Chi Thanh sent his sincere thanks to Mr. Gennady Stepanovich Bezdetko and the Embassy officials for their visit and discussion. Also, he hoped the Ambassador to promote the implementation of the CNST Project in the coming time. On this occasion, the Exhibition Room where the history of VINATOM is displayed was the destination after the working session. The President sent his invitation to the Ambassador to visit the Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute at appropriate time.
Pham Thi Thu Trang, Department of Planning and R&D Management, VINATOM
