A seminar on response to radiation and nuclear problems held by the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety in Hanoi on April 16 attracted the participation of a large number of Vietnamese and foreign scientists and experts.

According to Dang Thanh Luong, deputy head of the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Vietnam has actively prepared for nuclear and radiation emergency. A vivid manifestation was the adoption of the Law on Atomic Energy by the National Assembly on June 3, 2008, which took effect on Jan. 1, 2009.

The country also acceded to the International Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident on Sept. 29, 1987 and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency.

At the seminar, foreign experts reported about the management of response to accidents, the role of officials and initial activities to cope with an accident.

Brian Holland from the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation stressed international instructions on the aims of preparedness for radiation emergency. He emphasised the prevention of contingent effects on people’s health and the protection of property and the environment./.