US wants to assist Vietnam in civil nuclear projects: Countryman
The US is willing to help Vietnam in its nuclear energy programme, said Thomas Countryman, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation.
A facility at the nuclear reactor in Da Lat city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong (Photo: VNA)
The US is willing to help Vietnam in its nuclear energy programme, said Thomas Countryman, Assistant Secretary of State for International Security and Nonproliferation.
Vietnam has gone in the right direction, gearing up nuclear engineers and experts to operate facilities, said Countryman, who spoke to local press in Hanoi on October 13. The country has also succeeded in setting up agencies to make regulations on nuclear power.
His office and the US Department of Energy have helped Vietnam prepare for challenges it will face when it starts producing electricity through nuclear energy, Countryman said.
Vietnam needed nuclear experts who were able to operate the most advanced technologies, he stressed, noting that the US, the International Atomic Energy Agency and other partners would continue to assist Vietnam regardless of whether or not the country bought US technology.
Countryman underlined strides seen in Vietnam–US relations since their leaders lifted their ties to a comprehensive partnership in 2013. The countries cooperate in more than 100 fields – the most notable being the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, negotiations on which were concluded on October 5.
Vietnam and the US inked a civil nuclear cooperation agreement in 2014. Countryman’s current visit to the Southeast Asian nation was to discuss Vietnam’s wish to become the first ASEAN country to make electricity through nuclear energy, he said.
Answering reporters’ questions on the connection between the TPP and energy, Countryman said they have an indirect link. Energy use would increase if Vietnam succeeded in fostering its economic growth through the trade pact. Meanwhile, nuclear energy did not emit carbon and it would help ensure the realisation of commitments to climate change prevention.
During his stay in Vietnam, the official had working sessions with local agencies to discuss political and maritime security, along with Vietnam’s improvement of its regulations and capacity in controlling traded goods.-VNA
More than 300 scientists from around the world convened in Da Nang for a scientific conference on nuclear technology that kicked off in the city on August 5.
As traditional natural resources near exhaustion, many countries worldwide have turned to nuclear energy as it helps boost socio-economic development and ensure energy security.
The Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS) and the Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority (NRA) are holding training courses on preventing the risk of fire at nuclear power plants.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on radiation and nuclear safety between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) was signed in Vienna, Austria on September 15, reported the Ha Noi Moi newspaper.
Vietnam vows to reduce 8 percent of its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 with its internal resources, and would pledge an additional 25 percent if it is to receive international support.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
Vietnam views sci-tech as a decisive factor in national development and a key tool for achieving sustainable development goals, and is ready to boost sci-tech cooperation with Venezuela for mutual prosperity.
The Government will always accompany companies, including CMC, and request ministries, agencies, and Hanoi authorities to further support them by promptly removing any obstacles to their growth, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
A facility at the nuclear reactor in Da Lat city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong (Photo: VNA)
