Party chief urges absolute safety, innovation, and international cooperation in atomic development.
On the afternoon of September 4, Party General Secretary To Lam led a Central Government delegation to visit and work with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, focusing on the institute’s achievements and development direction in the new phase.
Reinforcing nuclear energy for national development
Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the working session. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Accompanying the visit were Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, members of the Politburo, leaders from central committees, ministries, and sectors, as well as former and current leaders of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute and a number of distinguished scientists.
Founded in 1979, the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute evolved from the Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute (established in 1976). It now operates 12 affiliated units across Hanoi, Da Lat, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang, including three administrative bodies and nine research-implementation units.
By 2025, the institute will have 768 personnel, including one professor, 15 associate professors, 81 PhDs, and over 350 postgraduates, many of whom are internationally recognized experts. The institute manages two major national-scale facilities: the Da Lat nuclear reactor and an electron beam accelerator in Hanoi.
Dr. Tran Chi Thanh, Director General of the Institute, noted that from the early days of independence, the Vietnamese Party and State already recognized nuclear energy as a strategic pillar for national development.
Today, in the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, where artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and emerging technologies are reshaping industries, nuclear power is regaining global prominence as a clean, stable, and safe energy solution.
Like many countries, Vietnam has considered nuclear energy not only for electricity generation but also as a strategic technology to ensure energy security, address climate change, and support sustainable development.
Nuclear tech in agriculture, healthcare, and more
Party Chief To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hear about peaceful nuclear applications. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
In addition to power generation, peaceful nuclear technologies are applied in multiple sectors. In medicine, they are used for cancer diagnostics and treatment. In agriculture, they are used to induce mutations for high-yield, drought- and pest-resistant crops and for smart farming and pest control (e.g., Sterile Insect Technique).
In industry, nuclear techniques help inspect the quality of pipelines, bridges, construction components, and microchips without causing damage. In environmental management, nuclear technologies can determine groundwater reserves, contamination levels, salinity, and subsidence due to over-extraction.
The institute continues expanding its applications in health, agriculture, industry, environment, and national defense and security.
The institute’s future vision is to become Vietnam and ASEAN’s leading research and development center in nuclear technology, with international standing. After nearly 50 years, its new mission focuses on mastering key technologies and contributing to sustainable development, alongside comprehensive digital transformation in management.
Nuclear power is not optional, but essential
Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the working session. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
In his directive speech, Party General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute has matured into a pioneering force in peaceful nuclear research and application.
For Vietnam, nuclear energy is not merely an option but an urgent, strategic requirement to guarantee national energy security, meet carbon neutrality commitments, and accelerate industrialization and modernization.
He praised the contributions of the institute's generations of scientists and staff, calling them “quiet yet enormous.” However, he also pointed out significant challenges ahead for Vietnam's nuclear energy sector.
To Lam called for a clear, unwavering strategic direction, prioritizing safety over speed or scale. He advocated for internal capacity-building to master key components and international cooperation based on co-designing, co-manufacturing, co-operating, and co-managing principles.
He stressed that nuclear energy development must be approached comprehensively - through legal frameworks, infrastructure, technology, and human capital - and with a far-sighted, long-term vision.
Absolute safety is the foundation
Party General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with delegates. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA
Nuclear development, he added, enhances national stature. Nuclear energy initiatives must guarantee absolute safety for people, the environment, and society, and strictly follow international atomic energy guidelines.
He urged continued reform of mechanisms and policies to create favorable conditions for nuclear energy, including a national program for nuclear technology and safety to meet global standards. He also emphasized building core scientific and technological capabilities, strengthening the radiation safety management of the Department of Radiation Safety.
The Institute must continue its key role in R&D, technical support, incident response, scientific data provision, application research, and high-quality human resource training.
To Lam emphasized investment in experimental research infrastructure, efficient and safe execution of key national projects, and strengthening scientific and technological potential for the nuclear sector. He advocated developing rare earth industries, nuclear industry, and digital transformation industries through mastering new technologies.
Digital transformation and AI for safety monitoring
He called for safe data governance and digital transformation, including building a national radiation monitoring network, digitizing data and equipment, creating transparent and controlled data disclosure models, and applying AI for regional risk assessment.
The General Secretary highlighted the need for developing high-quality human resources, ensuring generational succession, and attracting domestic and foreign experts. He proposed special compensation policies for those directly working in nuclear energy and radiation safety, and called for mastering and localizing strategic and new technologies.
He concluded by expressing confidence that the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, with its intellectual heritage and commitment to innovation, will fulfill its mission. He urged ministries and agencies to swiftly translate strategies into specific actions, ensure regular oversight, promptly resolve obstacles, and secure steady, transparent, and absolutely safe progress for the benefit of the people and the sustainable future of the nation.
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