Opening of the 16th National Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology

On the morning of October 8, 2025, the opening ceremony of the VINANST-16 Conference took place in Da Nang city. This is an important scientific event, gathering a large number of scientists, managers, lecturers, researchers and students in the field of atomic energy (NEE), with the participation and companionship of many organizations, research institutes, universities and international partners. The conference is not only a place to meet and exchange research results and new applications in the field of nuclear science and technology, but also a forum to discuss current issues of international nuclear science and technology and the application of NEE in various socio -economic fields.

The 16th National Conference on Nuclear Science and Technology took place in Da Nang city.

Vietnam prioritizes sustainable and safe development of renewable energy

Speaking at the opening of the Conference, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh affirmed that the VINANST-16 Conference is a practical activity to implement the Conclusion of General Secretary To Lam at the working session with VINATOM on September 4, 2025, stated in Notice No. 321-TB/VPTW of the Central Party Office.

The Deputy Minister pointed out that, implementing the direction of the General Secretary, the Vietnamese nuclear power industry needs to develop sustainably, cautiously, step by step, not trading safety for progress or scale, building a safety culture as a foundation, developing endogenous capacity and mastering nuclear technology. Increasing investment in scientific research, infrastructure, training high-quality human resources and preparing scientific and technological conditions for the development of nuclear power programs in the future.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh spoke at the Conference.

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh said, "This conference also aims to promote international cooperation. This is an important opportunity for scientists, management agencies, domestic and foreign organizations to exchange and share research results, initiatives and solutions to concretize the General Secretary's directive into the practice of developing Vietnam's nuclear energy industry." At the same time, the Deputy Minister highly appreciated the participation and support of international organizations such as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the RCA Office, and the cooperation of research institutions, universities and enterprises at home and abroad. The presence and companionship of the delegates is a testament to the spirit of extensive international cooperation, contributing to improving Vietnam's nuclear science and technology capacity in the new period.

At the event, Ms. Mizonova Maria Georgievna, Consul General of the Russian Federation in Da Nang, said that the Russian Federation has always been a reliable partner of Vietnam in the nuclear field, from providing equipment, fuel, training experts to implementing joint research projects.

According to Ms. Mizonova Maria Georgievna, Vietnam and the Russian Federation have achieved many positive results, such as: Providing fuel for the Da Lat research reactor, implementing the Nuclear Science and Technology Center in Dong Nai and preparing the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant project. Advanced Russian research facilities, such as the Multipurpose Fast Neutron Reactor in Dimitrovgrad or the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research in Dubna, are always open to Vietnamese scientists.

Thanks to the solid scientific foundation built by VINATOM and agencies under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam can fully develop comprehensively fields such as large-capacity nuclear power, small modular reactors, nuclear medicine, silicon crystal production for the semiconductor industry and other fields.

Ms. Mizonova emphasized that Russia's nuclear power industry has developed nearly 80 years since the first nuclear power plant in Obninsk came into operation. Despite the growing trend of renewable energy, Russia still believes that nuclear technology will play a leading role in the future, from ship engines, rockets, mobile power plants to large-capacity systems with closed cycles.

The Russian Federation is ready to cooperate comprehensively with Vietnam in the field of nuclear power, from construction, joint research, and training of specialized human resources. The Russian Federation is ready to provide modern and safe nuclear technology.

The Russian Embassy and Consulates General in Vietnam pledged to continue supporting, sharing information and promoting bilateral cooperation in the nuclear field, considering it an important component of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

Consul General of the Russian Federation in Da Nang, Ms. Mizonova Maria Georgievna spoke at the Conference.

Promoting the development and application of renewable energy

Over the past 40 years, Vietnam's nuclear power industry has made many important strides. From basic research, applications in medicine, agriculture, industry, to radiation safety, environmental monitoring, human resource training and step-by-step access to advanced nuclear technologies in the world. These contributions have made a practical contribution to the socio-economic development, public health protection and energy security of the country.

In recent years, the Party, State and Government have issued many important guidelines and policies to promote the development and application of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, effectively serving the cause of industrialization and modernization of the country, protecting the environment, taking care of people's health and sustainable development.

In particular, on February 5, 2025, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 245/QD-TTg approving the Plan for development and application of nuclear power for the period up to 2030, with a vision to 2045. This plan clearly defines major orientations for research, development of technical infrastructure, training of human resources and strengthening international cooperation, towards the widespread application of nuclear technology in socio-economic fields.

The Law on Nuclear Power (amended) was also passed by the National Assembly and took effect from January 1, 2026, with many breakthrough innovations, including enhancing the role and responsibility of local authorities in managing radiation safety and radioactive source security; expanding investment incentive mechanisms, supporting research, innovation and technology transfer in the nuclear field as well as perfecting the legal system on responding to nuclear radiation incidents, in accordance with international standards. This is an important legal basis to promote the development of the nuclear power industry in Vietnam.

Speaking at the Conference, Mr. Pham Duc An, Chairman of the People's Committee of Da Nang City, said that currently, Da Nang City has about 500 radiation facilities, mainly focusing on the application of radiation and radioactive isotopes in medical examination and treatment with many advanced techniques of nuclear medicine, oncology, and radiotherapy. In addition, there are facilities using radioactive sources and radiation equipment in security inspection, screening, industrial irradiation, food preservation, etc., making important contributions to the socio-economic development of the city. State management of radiation and radioactive isotopes application; radiation and nuclear safety in Da Nang are ensured. The city has established a Command Committee and issued a plan to respond to nuclear radiation incidents, organized annual drills to proactively respond promptly when incidents occur and improve coordination between inter-sectoral forces as well as public awareness of nuclear radiation safety.

Mr. Pham Duc An, Chairman of Da Nang City People's Committee spoke at the Conference.

With a deep understanding of the values of applying nuclear power in many sectors, from industrial production, agricultural processing, nuclear medicine, to environmental treatment and natural resource monitoring, Da Nang hopes to continue to receive support and cooperation from relevant ministries, branches, international organizations, experts and scientists to apply nuclear technology and techniques to serve the tasks of socio-economic development, environmental protection and people's health care as well as improve endogenous capacity, increase the ability to respond to current challenges.

Mr. Pham Duc An expressed his belief that with the attention and direction of Party and State leaders at all levels, ministries/departments/sectors and relevant agencies, especially the Ministry of Science and Technology, the active participation of the scientific community and effective coordination between localities, businesses and relevant organizations, the renewable energy sector will continue to be deployed in a safe, modern and sustainable direction, contributing to the socio-economic development of the whole country.

With more than 200 scientific reports in many fields from basic research, technology development, practical applications to safety management, VINANST-16 Conference will be an open scientific forum where Vietnamese and international scientists exchange and share experiences, and propose new directions suitable to the country's development needs.

Delegates attending the VINANST-16 Conference.

The National Nuclear Science and Technology Conference is held every two years and is an important event in the research, development and application activities of the Vietnamese nuclear industry. The conference is a place to meet and exchange new research results and applications in the field of nuclear science and technology of scientists and leading experts both at home and abroad. In particular, the conference is an opportunity for young domestic researchers to exchange and improve their professional knowledge as well as other practical skills.

Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/khai-mac-hoi-nghi-khoa-hoc-va-cong-nghe-hat-nhan-toan-quoc-lan-thu-16-197251008163026047.htm