Vietnam and Russia have agreed to collaborate on the implementation of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center (CNTS) project, which involves the construction of a new research reactor with a capacity of 10 MW. This agreement was one of 11 documents signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Vietnam in June 2021.
The CNTS project began under an Intergovernmental Agreement signed in 2011 and was approved for investment policy by the Vietnamese Government in 2018. The center will be located in Long Khanh City, Dong Nai, and will house a tank-type nuclear reactor with a capacity of 10 MW using low-enriched fuel from Russia. CNTS will focus on various research areas such as irradiation materials, biological sciences, reactor engineering, and radiation safety, among others.
Director Tran Chi Thanh of the Institute of Atomic Energy stated that this project marks Vietnam’s first large-capacity nuclear research reactor. The Ministry of Science and Technology has developed plans to prepare human resources for management and implementation at different stages, as well as for the safe operation and effective utilization of the Center once it is operational.
To ensure the successful implementation of the CNST Project, Vietnam and Russia will focus on meeting deadlines, efficiency, and compliance with regulations set by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The project aligns with Vietnam’s plans for the development and application of atomic energy, which includes basic science research and applications in various sectors such as health, agriculture, industry, and environmental resources.
