IAEA to help Vietnam develop atomic power

The IAEA has approved six projects valued at almost 1.5 million U.S. dollars for Vietnam in the 2007-2008 period. The projects cover industrial application, nuclear analysis technology, radioactive solid waste management, promotion of legal capacity for nuclear agencies, and medical application and related human resources development.

The projects are a follow-up to a 2001-2006 program, under which the IAEA offered technical assistance to 24 projects on energy development, with total investment of over 2.6 million dollars. The IAEA has provided over 1.5 million dollars in equipment for the projects in the five-year period.

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei paid a three-day visit to Vietnam recently. The IAEA has supported the country in a number of projects on technical cooperation, staff training and laboratory construction, since it joined the world nuclear watchdog in 1978.

Vietnam's sole nuclear reactor, which officially became operational in central highlands Lam Dong province in 1984, has a capacity of 500 kw. It is used for training and research purposes, especially medical ones.