Vietnam ’s Deputy Minister of Science and Technology and the US Ambassador to Vietnam signed a memorandum of understanding on nuclear energy cooperation in Hanoi on March 30.

The MoU will open opportunities for cooperation on human resources, security and safety, reliable nuclear fuel sources and the management of spent nuclear materials and radioactive waste.

The MoU demonstrates Vietnam ’s commitment to the development of responsible, civil nuclear power through cooperation with the US and other international partners.

Under the MoU, the US and Vietnam will continue their efforts to develop the necessary facilities to ensure the safety of the civil nuclear energy sector.

The MoU will facilitate bilateral cooperation on the reactor’s requirements as well as agreements on fuel services, including setting up a reliable source of nuclear fuel for Vietnam’s reactors in future. It will also allow Vietnam to take advantage of international markets to search for nuclear fuel services.

Speaking at the singing ceremony, Deputy Minister Le Dinh Tien said that Vietnam has been widely applying nuclear radiation techniques and is now implementing a nuclear power programme to serve the national socio-economic development.

He went on to confirm Vietnam ’s consistent policy of using nuclear power for peace, ensuring safety and security and fighting the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

US Ambassador Michael W. Michalak said that the singing of the MoU marks an important time in the two countries’ bilateral relationship and is a necessary foundation for the development of Vietnam ’s peaceful civil nuclear energy programme. The new cooperation in this field started in 2010 when Vietnam and the US is marking the 15 th anniversary of the re-establishment of the two countries’ official relationship, he added./.