Vietnam makes progress in atomic energy utilisation: official

 

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam has made great strides in researching and applying radiation and radioactive isotopes to serve socio-economic development, an official said on November 1.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Tran Van Tung made the remark in Hanoi at a two-day conference on the utilisation of atomic energy in socio-economic development.

Back in 2002, Vietnam approved a strategy on applying atomic energy for peaceful purposes until 2020. This strategy classifies the research and application of radiation and radioactive isotopes as important tasks.

Over the years, thanks to efforts by various ministries, sectors, scientists, science-technology organisations, and businesses, as well as cooperation with foreign partners such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in particular, the country has made considerable progress in the work, he noted.

However, application outcomes have yet to match the full potential and real development demand, Tung admitted.

At the event, Hoang Anh Tuan, Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency under the Ministry of Science and Technology, reported on atomic energy utilisation in different fields, particularly success in the healthcare, industry, agriculture, and environmental sectors.

He added that the conference is important for enhancing cooperation and the implementation of plans on applying radiation and radioactive isotopes in socio-economic development. It also aims to prepare its review of 15 years of the atomic energy utilisation strategy and building utilisation plans for different sectors after 2020.

Speakers at the symposium focused on such issues as using ionising radiation in healthcare; the safe, effective, and environmentally friendly application of nuclear technology in industrial production; and the application of radiation therapy using the TrueBeam-Varian system at the Ho Chi Minh City Oncology Hospital.

The event, lasting through until November 2, also features booths introducing atomic energy research and application outcomes, as well as relevant equipment and services. –VNA