Rosatom and the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology signed a memorandum of understanding late last month to construct a nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam. The memorandum was signed by Alexei Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, and Tran Viet Thanh, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam. The parties expect the Center to become a starting ground for broader cooperation between the countries. In particular, the plans are to work through the next steps to be taken after the Vietnamese government approves the project’s preliminary feasibility study. The document also provides for consultations on the terms and conditions of project finance. The parties are going to work out a plan for further cooperation in the development of Vietnam’s national nuclear infrastructure.

The agreement on cooperation in the construction of the nuclear science and technology center in Vietnam was signed in 2011, followed by a general framework agreement in 2014. The facility will feature a Russian-designed research reactor, a multi-purpose cyclotron, R&D laboratories, an engineering department, and equipment necessary to maintain safe operation of the center.

Huge benefits

A nuclear science and technology centers is a perfect point for any country to start building the national nuclear infrastructure and make the first steps in the development of its civil nuclear program. The center creates an environment for theoretical and practical training programs facilitating further progress in the national nuclear industry and relevant infrastructure. Such centers take much less time to be built than a nuclear power plant, but they are no less effective in raising public awareness of nuclear power and its benefits. Most customer countries have one thing in common: their nuclear infrastructure is at an early development stage. Therefore, nuclear science and technology centers lay an ideal foundation for the national nuclear program.