Khanh Hoa (VNA) – The Pasteur Institute in Nha Trang, the central province of Khanh Hoa, was awarded the Independence Order, second class, during a ceremony celebrating its 120 th founding anniversary on December 19.

Speaking at the event, Director of the institute Vien Quang Mai said the institute is currently undertaking preventive medicine management and epidemic prevention in 11 cities and provinces stretching from Quang Binh to Binh Thuan, personnel training, and scientific research.

Looking back, the institute successfully controlled the outbreaks of bubonic plague in 1989, cholera in 2003, polio in 2007, among others in localities.

With a 170-strong staff, it is equipped with thousands of modern equipment to effectively carry out research projects.

In 1895, after a long time of living and working in Vietnam, French doctor Alexandre Yersin opened a small laboratory in Nha Trang and asked the local authorities to designate a 500ha plot in Suoi Dau which was used for his research on an anti-bubonic serum.

The facility was predecessor of the today Pasteur Nha Trang Institute.

On the occasion, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long also presented Independence Order, second and third class, to three former leaders of the institute.-VNA
VNA