Russia and Vietnam Collaborate on Nuclear Science and Technology Center Project to Produce Radioactive Pharmaceuticals and Irradiate Silicon for Chip Production

Russia and Vietnam are collaborating on the implementation of the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center Project, which includes a new 10 MW research reactor. The goal of this project is to produce radioactive pharmaceuticals for cancer treatment and diagnosis, as well as irradiate silicon to create semiconductor materials for chip production. This information was shared by Dr. Tran Chi Thanh, Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, during a press conference organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology on July 4.

In June, the General Director of Rosatom, Alexey Likhachev, and the Minister of Science and Technology, Huynh Thanh Dat, exchanged a memorandum of understanding regarding the project. They agreed to build the Center for Nuclear Science and Technology in Long Khanh City, Dong Nai. The center will house a 10 MW tank-type nuclear reactor using low-enriched fuel produced by Russia.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has assigned the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute to establish specialized groups to prepare for the operation of the new reactor. The implementation of this project is part of an Intergovernmental Agreement signed in 2011 and approved by the Vietnamese government in 2018. This represents Vietnam’s first large-capacity nuclear research reactor.

To support this project, officials from Vietnam will participate in basic design and safety analyses with Rosatom’s assistance. This collaboration between Vietnam and Russia signifies an important milestone in Vietnam’s nuclear energy development as it aligns with global trends in using nuclear resources for socio-economic development.