Following recent approval by the Da Nang People’s Committee, the Viet Nam Atomic Energy Institute will construct a centre for nuclear research and its applications in Hoa Vang District’s Hoa Son Commune.

Work will start on the 10.59ha site later this year, and the centre is expected to be completed by 2020.

The project features irradiation and experiment facilities, areas for supplying nuclear services, working areas for the centre’s employees, an integrated library system under the management of the National Centre for Scientific and Technological Information, and other technical infrastructure facilities. 

An architect’s model of the centre

In particular, an observation station will be constructed to give warnings about environmental radioactivity and to handle any nuclear or radiation accidents which might occur in the central region.

According to the municipal Department of Science and Technology, the construction of the centre will promote the applications of nuclear energy and radiation technologies in agriculture, biotechnology, and marine environmental protection and the creation of new technological products in order to boost the city’s socio-economic development. 

Once it is operational, the centre will satisfy the increasing demand for food preservation methods in order to ensure local food safety and enhance the competitiveness of many agricultural, forest and aquatic products for export from throughout the central region.  In addition, radiation safety will be ensured at local medical centres and hospitals where nuclear techniques are in use.

It is hoped that the new centre will help Da Nang to develop into the research hub of nuclear technologies and techniques in the central region and highlands.

At a recent national conference on nuclear science and technology held in the city, municipal PC Vice Chairman Vo Duy Khuong remarked that the city is in need of support from the Ministry of Science and Technology and other relevant government agencies to ensure the success of this project.

He also took the opportunity to appeal for domestic and foreign experts, and related organisations involved in this aspect, to become actively involved in promoting nuclear energy applications for the sake of the city’s progress.