Decision 245/QD-TTg 2025 approving Master Plan on atomic energy development and application through 2030

DECISION

Approving the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application through 2030, with a vision toward 2050^[1]

THE PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government; and the November 22, 2019 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration;

Pursuant to the June 3, 2008 Law on Atomic Energy;

Pursuant to the November 24, 2017 Planning Law;

Pursuant to the November 20, 2018 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of Thirt-Seven Laws Concerning Planning;

Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 81/2023/QH15 of January 9, 2023, on the National Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 37/2019/ND-CP of May 7, 2019, detailing a number of articles of the Planning Law;

Pursuant to the Government’s Decree No. 41/2019/ND-CP of May 15, 2019, detailing the formulation, appraisal, approval, announcement, implementation, evaluation and adjustment of the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application;

Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 108/QD-TTg of January 22, 2021, approving the task of formulating the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050;

At the proposal of the Minister of Science and Technology in Report No. 5073/TTr-BKHCN of December 18, 2024; Appraisal Report No. 4973/BC-HDTD of December 10, 2024, of the Appraisal Council for the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050, and Report No. 167/BKHCN-NLNT of January 15, 2025, of the Minister of Science and Technology.

DECIDES:

Article 1. To approve the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application through 2030, with a vision toward 2050 (below referred to as the Master Plan) with the following contents:

I. SCOPE OF THE MASTER PLAN:

The Master Plan shall be implemented nationwide.

II. DEVELOPMENT VIEWPOINTS AND OBJECTIVES

1. Atomic energy development and application viewpoints

a/ To intensify and expand the application of atomic energy in all sectors and fields in order to increase productivity, quality and efficiency of production and service provision, care for and improve the people’s health, protect the environment, and ensure nuclear safety and security.

b/ To develop and apply atomic energy in a balanced, coordinated and efficient manner, ensuring inter-sectoral connection in conformity with the sectoral development strategies and master plans; local, regional and national socio-economic conditions; and trends of scientific and technological development and international integration.

c/ To prioritize investment in nuclear science and technology potential, equipping modern and advanced technologies in sync with the development of high-quality human resources, in conformity with the global development trends and Vietnam’s practical requirements, thereby ensuring that scientific and technological research and application effectively serve the development of various sectors and fields.

d/ To proactively and actively undertake international cooperation on the basis of bringing into the fullest play internal resources in order to step up the institutional strengthening process in conformity with international practices and laws, improve qualifications and quality of human resources, ensure nuclear safety and security, and enhance the national atomic energy capacity; to abide by international commitments in the field of atomic energy to which Vietnam has acceded.

dd/ To ensure focused and selective investment from the State in foundational infrastructure, ensuring synchrony between technical infrastructure and human resource development; at the same time, to promote social and foreign investment in atomic energy applications for socio-economic development; to ensure necessary resources for the implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

2. General objectives of atomic energy development and application through 2030, with a vision toward 2050

a/ General objectives by 2030

The legal system, mechanisms and policies on, and state management agencies in charge of, atomic energy will be completed in conformity with international practices; the system of research, application and training institutions in the field of atomic energy will be streamlined and upgraded in terms of physical and technical foundations and quality of human resources to ensure more effective operation; a number of key projects that have been approved will be implemented according to their schedules; a number of scientific and technological fields and atomic energy applications in which Vietnam has strengths will reach the region’s advanced level; activities of application of radiation and radioisotopes will be widely and efficiently carried out in all sectors and fields, positively contributing to increasing productivity, quality and efficiency in production and business activities, improving the people’s health, protecting the environment and ensuring nuclear safety and security.

To expeditiously complete and develop national nuclear power infrastructure facilities to serve the deployment of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project and further study and implement the national nuclear power development program. To study and set forth orientations for intensified exploration, exploitation, processing and use of radioactive ores in conformity with Vietnam’s practical conditions.

b/ Vision toward 2050

To apply radiation and radioisotopes and develop nuclear power, making important and effective contributions to socio-economic development, energy security, food security, environmental protection and sustainable development, and ensuring nuclear safety and security; to raise the level of nuclear science and technology and various fields of atomic energy application to the average level of developed countries; to master and gradually apply advanced technologies and techniques domestically, ensuring that the application of atomic energy efficiently contributes to the development of socio-economic sectors and fields.

III. DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF RADIATION AND ISOTOPES IN VARIOUS SECTORS AND FIELDS

1. Development and application of radiation and isotopes in the health sector

a/ General objectives

- Objectives by 2030

To complete and develop the network of medical establishments specializing in electro-optics, nuclear medicine, oncology and radiotherapy, and reasonably distributed across regions and localities to serve medical examination and treatment, scientific research and training; to increase the efficiency and quality of medical examination and treatment on the basis of raising the quality of human resources, applying advanced and modern techniques, and improving the management in radiation medicine establishments; to research, develop, produce and apply several radiopharmaceuticals and marking compounds for use in disease diagnosis and treatment, ensuring safety and protection against radiation for patients, medical staff and the environment.

- Vision toward 2050

By 2050, the application of radiation and radioisotopes in the health sector will reach the average level of developed countries, fully meeting the people’s increasing needs for, and ensuring the quality of, medical examination and treatment, attracting foreign patients to come for medical examination and treatment in a number of medical fields in which the country has strengths, and significantly contributing to the socio-economic development. The potential of radiation medicine will be enhanced, and atomic energy research, training and application institutions will have modern infrastructure facilities and a rationally structured high-quality human resources capable of addressing essential scientific and technological issues for application; to research and apply advanced radiation and nuclear techniques to diagnosis and treatment, including modern diagnostic and therapeutic techniques and new techniques such as theranostics, proton radiation therapy and neutron capture radiation therapy, radiobiology, and immunology; to create new radiopharmaceuticals in line with the development trend of precise medicine; to strive for the target that a number of fields of science and technology and the application of atomic energy in the health sector will reach the international level.

b/ Specific objectives by 2030

- To develop the network of radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and electro-radiology facilities to meet the people’s medical examination and treatment needs

To develop a network of radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and electro-radiology facilities in a balanced, coordinated and efficient manner, narrowing the gap and meeting the essential needs of people across all regions and localities nationwide:

+ To strive for the target that 50-60% and 40-50% of provinces and centrally run cities will have oncology departments with radiotherapy equipment (or radiotherapy departments) and nuclear medicine departments, respectively; to develop the network of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine facilities, prioritizing investment in those located in regions in which investment is currently limited: the northern midland and mountainous region, the northern Central Vietnam and Central Coast, the Central Highlands, and the Mekong River delta; to strive to achieve the ratios of: 1.1 medical linear accelerators, 0.5 imaging machines (SPECT, SPECT/CT, PET/CT, PET/MRI),  15 CT machines, and 1 digital subtraction angiography (DSA) per million people, and 50% of basic-level medical examination and treatment establishments will be equipped with breast X-ray machines.

+ To effectively operate existing establishments producing radiopharmaceuticals from cyclotron systems and nuclear reactors, efficiently invest in cyclotron equipment suitable to local pathological models and in regions where they are needed; to intensify the irradiation and disinfection of medical instruments and items and replace technologies that are harmful to the environment.

+ To train and add human resources in sync with equipment investment to reach the ratios of at least 4 oncologists trained in radiotherapy (or radiotherapists) and 3 nuclear medicine doctors per million people; 0.3 pharmacists trained in radiopharmaceutical chemistry, 6 radiotherapy technicians, 4 nuclear medicine technicians, and 30-50 electro-radiological doctors per million people, ensuring appropriate ratios of electro-radiological technicians and doctors; to attach importance to training medical physicists to reach the ratio of 6-8 medical physicists per million people.

+ To complete the set of national standards for the assessment of clinical quality of radiation medicine specialties, including radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and image diagnostics as recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency;

+ To complete necessary mechanisms, policies and legal procedures for determining working positions and professional titles for radiation therapists, nuclear medicine doctors, radiation pharmacists, medical physicists, and radiation medicine technicians in electro-radiology, nuclear medicine and radiation therapy departments, shifting to grant practice licenses for radiation medicine staff and grant graduation certificates of clinical medical physics practice;

+ To master techniques related to the control of medical radiation exposure and diagnostic procedures and high-dose interventions, for women and children;

+ To intensify digital transformation and application of artificial intelligence technology in diagnosis and treatment at nuclear medicine, radiation therapy and electro-radiology establishments.

- To raise the effectiveness and ensure radiation quality and safety in diagnosis and treatment

+ To implement the quality assurance and inspection program at all radiation medicine (radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and electro-radiology) establishments, including internal and external inspection; to improve the clinical dose inspection system for radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and electro-radiology establishments. At least 4 radiotherapy establishments, 4 nuclear medicine establishments and 4 electro-radiology establishments will participate in the International Atomic Energy Agency’s Quality Management Audits in radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and electro-radiology; to ensure that all radiotherapy and nuclear medicine establishments and all electro-radiology establishments in provincial-level hospitals will participate in the quality self-assessment program according to the model of the International Atomic Energy Agency;

+ To effectively manage medical irradiation as recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency and the World Health Organization in order to prevent and limit radiation exposure and ensure safety for patients and medical staff at all radiation medicine establishments nationwide.

c/ Development orientations for atomic energy-related research, application and training institutions in the health sector by 2030

To plan the development and improve the capacity of atomic energy-related research, application and training institutions in the health sector as suitable to the population and disease models across regions, areas and zones, ensuring efficient investment in equipment and physical foundations, prioritizing the development of these institutions in regions and areas with greater demands.

- Development orientations for research institutions

+ Leading hospitals in the field of radiation medicine will have an additional function of researching treatment methods, advanced technologies and techniques in the field of radiation and radioisotope application for disease diagnosis and treatment;

+ To study and formulate a scheme on the establishment of a national institute/center for radiation medicine that has the functions of acquiring, mastering and transferring advanced technologies in the application of radiation and radioisotopes, diagnosing and treating radiation sickness, and participating in the response to radiation and nuclear incidents.

- Development orientations for application establishments

+ To develop the radiation medicine network toward modernization and in conformity with socio-economic conditions and pathological models of each region; to increase the current rate of 25% of cancer patients provided with radiotherapy services to 30-40%, and raise the effectiveness and ensure quality and safety in diagnosis and treatment;

+ To develop a number of radiotherapy and nuclear medicine establishments in 4 economic regions where investment remains limited: the northern midland and mountainous region, the northern Central Vietnam and Central Coast, the Central Highlands, and the Mekong River delta;

+ To invest in equipment and human resources for a number of oncology departments with radiotherapy equipment (or radiotherapy departments) and leading nuclear medicine departments, including the Military Center for Nuclear Medicine and Oncology, in order to properly perform the functions of responding to, diagnosing and treating radiation sickness;

+ To universalize common diagnostic and treatment techniques among local radiation medicine establishments; to invest in advanced and modern equipment and develop high-quality human resources for radiotherapy and nuclear medicine establishments in central hospitals.

- Development orientation for training institutions

+ To review and improve existing training programs for radiotherapy and nuclear medicine specialists and technicians, medical physicists and radiopharmacists in tertiary training institutions, and formulate and standardize new ones; to organize continued training programs and clinical internships for the above-mentioned subjects in accordance with international practices;

+ To provide training in basic radiation safety and protection knowledge in medical universities; training medical specialists in the use of advanced techniques and technologies (artificial intelligence, digital technology, etc.).

2. Development and application of radiation and isotopes in the natural resources and environment sector

a/ General objectives

- Objectives by 2030

+ To develop and apply nuclear techniques in hydro-meteorological monitoring and forecasting; water resource, geological and mineral basic survey; environmental protection; and response to climate change.

+ To build complete and modern physical foundations and equipment and train and develop high-quality human resources of research, training and application establishments to apply radiation and isotope techniques in the field of natural resources and environment.

- Vision toward 2050

+ To master and widely apply advanced nuclear techniques in hydrometeorological, water resource, environmental protection and ocean acidification research and monitoring; to apply Muon tomography in the fields of mineral geology and water resources, among others.

+ To apply radiation technology to treat polluting wastes generated from production and daily-life activities; to continue intensifying research, development and application of nuclear technology in the natural resources and environment sector, especially in the marine environment; to evaluate and clarify reserves, quality and necessary conditions for commercial exploitation of radioactive ores.

b/ Specific objectives by 2030

- Meteorology and hydrology: To develop the application of nuclear and radiation techniques in hydrometeorological monitoring and forecasting; application of cosmic ray neutron techniques to monitor soil moisture at a number of hydrometeorological monitoring stations.

- Water resources: To apply isotope techniques to determine age, origin of formation, reserves, sources of replenishment, replenishment capacity and movement of groundwater; to establish stations for monitoring stable isotopes in water sources of major rivers in Vietnam.

- Geology and minerals: To efficiently apply isotope and nuclear techniques in geological and geological structure surveys, assessment and exploration of radioactive minerals, radioactive substance-containing minerals, rare earths, geothermal survey, and analysis of geological samples; to carry out research, survey and monitoring of areas prone to geological calamities; to identify characteristics of a number of geological structures that have the potential for retaining groundwater or CO₂, or for landfilling toxic and radioactive substances.

- Environmental protection: To continue regularly monitoring the natural and man-made radioactive substrate environment; to apply nuclear techniques in the environmental monitoring of mineral mines where radioactive emissions are likely to occur; to develop maps of the actual radioactive environment to serve socio-economic development; to apply simulation technique to assess atmospheric and oceanic radioactive dispersion from nuclear power plants, giving priority to the implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project; to apply the stable isotope technique to study and assess surface water and groundwater pollution, lake sedimentation, estuary and coastal erosion.

- Climate change: To apply nuclear techniques in the analysis and accurate measurement of greenhouse gas emissions; to apply the stable isotope technique in climate change research.

c/ Development orientations for atomic energy-related research, application and training establishments of the natural resources and environment sector by 2030

- To add and improve the functions of research and training of human resources in atomic energy for existing research and training institutions; to develop training programs and modules that involve the use of nuclear techniques in the field of natural resources and environment, and on that basis, make supplementary investment in, and synchronously upgrade, necessary technical infrastructure facilities and human resources;

- To build and upgrade laboratories in a complete and modern manner to serve the analysis of man-made and natural radioisotope samples in the soil, water and air environments; to invest in equipment and human resources to meet quality and efficiency requirements for units carrying out geological and mineral surveys, hydro-meteorological, water resource and environmental monitoring to serve socio-economic development.

3. Development and application of radiation and isotopes in agriculture

a/ General objectives

- Specific objectives by 2030

To improve the research and implementation capacity, and to access and master advanced techniques for applying radiation and radioisotope in the selection and creation of plant varieties and microorganisms; plant protection; agro-chemistry, soil and crop nutrition; animal husbandry and health; aquaculture; and post-harvest preservation and processing. A number of fields and institutions engaged in the research and application of atomic energy in agriculture will have advantages and attain regional and international levels. The application of radiation and radioisotopes in agriculture will be intensified and expanded, thus contributing to enhanced productivity, quality and efficiency, ensuring food security, boosting exports, and actively contributing to developing sustainable agriculture adaptable to climate change.

- Vision toward 2050

To apply radiation and radioisotopes in combination with scientific and technological advances to hi-tech agricultural production models, thereby making important contributions to developing sustainable agriculture and boosting economic growth; to establish a number of leading nuclear agriculture centers in the Asia-Pacific region; to develop atomic energy applications in the creation and selection of plant varieties, plant protection, production of biologicals and food irradiation into widely adopted tools; to develop a number of radiation and radioisotope applications in agriculture to reach the international level and to be transferred to regional countries.

b/ Specific objectives by 2030

- To complete and upgrade radiation and radioisotope research and application establishments in strategic agricultural areas; to build strong research groups for the application of radiation and radioisotopes in the creation and selection of plant varieties; to control harmful insects and organisms; to carry out food irradiation with a view to intensifying the application of atomic energy in agriculture;

- To select and put into production valuable mutant plant varieties in order to increase productivity, quality and value of Vietnamese agricultural products and develop sustainable agriculture. By 2030, to maintain the country’s top position in Southeast Asia in the application of radiation and radioisotopes in the selection and creation of plant varieties;

- To intensify the irradiation treatment and quarantine of agricultural products, improve the quality of aquatic products, extend the shelf life of foods for domestic consumption and export; to increase the scale of food irradiation to meet the demand for irradiated foods and foodstuffs for domestic consumption and export;

- To intensify the application of radiation and radioisotopes and stable isotopes in the control of soil erosion and washout, management of cultivated land, irrigation water and cultivation regimes; traceability of livestock and plants; control of plant and livestock epidemics and diseases; production of environmentally friendly biologicals to serve green, clean and sustainable agricultural production; to increase the annual contribution of atomic energy applications to agriculture by 10%.

c/ Development orientations for atomic energy-related research, application and training establishments in agriculture by 2030

- Development orientations for research institutions

To build and upgrade agricultural research institutions to carry out research and application of radiation and radioisotopes in the creation and selection of plant varieties and mutant microorganisms; plant protection; agro-chemistry, soil and crop nutrition; animal husbandry and health; aquaculture; post-harvest preservation and processing.

- Development orientations for application establishments

+ To formulate mechanisms and policies to promote the establishment of irradiation facilities and the application of food irradiation and quarantine irradiation of agricultural products for domestic consumption and export;

+ To promote association between agricultural enterprises and agricultural research institutes and centers to transfer the outcomes of research and application of radiation and radioisotopes in agriculture so as to bring higher efficiency to green, clean and sustainable agricultural production, first of all in the fields of selection and creation of breeds and varieties, farming and breeding techniques; to apply biologicals created by radiation technology in agriculture.

- Development orientations for training institutions

+ To incorporate additional subjects related to the application of radiation and radioisotopes in biology and agriculture into undergraduate and postgraduate training programs of agricultural training institutions;

+ To develop programs and organize professional training on the application of radiation and radioisotopes in agriculture for researchers of agriculture institutes and schools and other related units.

4. Development and application of radiation and isotope applications in industry

a/ General objectives

- Objectives by 2030

To intensify the application of radiation and radioisotopes in industrial sectors; production and manufacturing of various types of radiation equipment and radiometric equipment to meet the great demand of socio-economic sectors in substitution for imported equipment; to commercialize technical products and services created from research outcomes; to intensify research, acquisition and mastering of new technologies for applying radiation and radioisotopes in the fields of industrial irradiation, non-destructive testing, marking techniques, screening techniques, and nuclear control systems; to prioritize high-demand, competitive technologies for the development of industry and other domestic sectors and fields in the subsequent periods.

- Vision toward 2050

By 2050, radiation and radioisotopes will be widely applied in various industries, significantly contributing to the growth of these industries and promoting socio-economic development; to access and master advanced and modern technologies and techniques, and achieve self-sufficiency in a number of basic technologies, manufacture a number of essential equipment, and create many high added value products and services for domestic consumption and export.

b/ Specific objectives by 2030

- Oil and gas exploitation, chemicals and energy: To apply nuclear techniques (non-destructive testing, marking, screening, tomography, etc.) to evaluate exploitable oil reserves, check injection points in gas-lift wells, assess hydropower dam leaks, and diagnose actual conditions and forecast the service life of details, components and equipment in power, petrochemical and chemical plants for maintenance and repair.

- Materials manufacturing: To increase the scale and continue promoting the commercialization of preparations and materials created by radiation technology to serve industry, agriculture, health, construction, and other sectors in order to replace environmentally harmful materials and technologies.

- Other industries: To widely apply nuclear techniques in the automatic control of production lines in order to improve productivity and lower product costs in a number of food, production and manufacturing industries; to enhance the capacity of domestic organizations to perform the full process of maintenance, repair and refueling of automated nuclear control equipment, and to conduct applied nuclear analyses in a number of industries in Vietnam.

- Industrial, construction and traffic works: To universally apply non-destructive testing techniques in the inspection of quality and forecasting of the service life of industrial, construction and traffic works.

- Equipment manufacturing: To manufacture a number of types of radiation and radiometric equipment that are in high domestic demand to replace  imported equipment; to increase the capacity for maintaining and repairing radiation and radiometric equipment used in Vietnam in order to help domestic units effectively operate them and save foreign exchange.

c/ Development orientations for atomic energy-related research, application and training institutions in the industrial sector by 2030

- Development orientations for research institutions

+ To upgrade existing institutions for research and application of non-destructive testing techniques, including modern industrial computed image-based screening and tomography techniques, nuclear control systems, marking and nuclear analysis techniques of ministries, sectors and localities; to establish a number of institutions capable of mastering and transferring modern technologies to enterprises; to establish a number of non-destructive testing institutions that meet internationally recognized standards.

+ To focus on investing in research into new and modern technologies combined with artificial intelligence for applying radiation and radioisotopes in a number of important economic-technical sectors such as oil and gas, materials, chemicals, energy, mechanical engineering and machine building, construction, etc.;

+ To train and develop human resources for institutions to research and apply nuclear techniques in the industrial sector according to international standards.

- Development orientations for training institutions

+ To complete training programs in the field of atomic energy, attaching importance to subjects on the application of radiation and radioisotopes in the industrial sector and other sectors and fields;

+ To cooperate with the International Atomic Energy Agency and related international organizations in developing training programs and training systems and granting certificates according to international standards for industrial radiation photographers in order to be granted certificates by foreign countries and international organizations that accredit Vietnam’s certificates;

+ To encourage enterprises with sufficient conditions to build institutions to train technicians for non-destructive testing, nuclear control systems, marking techniques, radiation technology and nuclear analysis techniques to meet social needs.

- Development orientations for application institutions

+ To upgrade and increase the capacity of existing radiation and radioisotope application institutions in the fields of industrial irradiation, non-destructive testing techniques and marking techniques according to international standards in order to transfer knowledge and technology to enterprises in the same fields;

+ To invest in increasing the capacity for production, manufacturing, maintenance and repair of radiation equipment and radiometric equipment in the industrial sector and other socio-economic sectors and fields;

+ To encourage enterprises to invest and cooperate with scientific and technological organizations in building industrial, medical and domestic waste treatment facilities using accelerated electronic beams for practical application.

5. Development of nuclear science and technology potential, training of human resources, and assurance of nuclear safety and security

a/ General objectives

- Objectives by 2030

To restructure functions, upgrade technical infrastructure and develop high-quality human resources for existing research and training institutions to meet practical and quality requirements regarding research, development and application of nuclear science and technology in various sectors and fields; to enhance technical assistance capacity to facilitate nuclear safety and security assurance in atomic energy development and application and the implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

- Vision toward 2050

By 2050, Vietnam’s nuclear science and technology potential and level will be developed to reach the average level of developed countries, with modern physical and technical foundations and high-quality human resources, thereby ensuring the foundation for the development and application of radiation and radioisotopes and nuclear power, making important and effective contributions to socio-economic development, environmental protection and the implementation of the National Nuclear Power Development Program.

b/ Specific objectives by 2030

- To upgrade existing laboratories for research and application of nuclear science and techniques and build a number of modern ones in various sectors and fields; to produce radioisotopes, develop radiation technology, and design, manufacture and localize radiation equipment and radiometric equipment;

- To renovate training programs up to international standards, adding new majors and upgrading technical infrastructure at existing training institutions;

- To promote the nuclear safety and security appraisal, evaluation and inspection and nuclear inspection and assessment capacity; to complete and ensure the operation of the national environmental radiation monitoring and warning network, the national system of ionized radioactivity dose standard chambers, and the system for management of radioactive wastes and used radioactive sources nationwide in order to meet requirements on atomic energy development and application and implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project;

- To improve the legal system on atomic energy, step by step incorporating treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party into domestic laws in conformity with the progress of implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project;

- To enhance the capacity of state management of atomic energy development and application and assurance of nuclear safety and security.

c/ Development orientations for nuclear science and technology research and application institutions by 2030

- To develop nuclear science and technology research institutions

+ The Ministry of Science and Technology shall:

• Focus on implementing the Project on a nuclear science and technology research center in Dong Nai province on schedule with a 10 MW nuclear research reactor and a system of modern laboratories; maintain the operation of the research nuclear reactor in Da Lat town to meet practical requirements;
• Invest in increasing the research, implementation, technical assistance and training capacity for nuclear science and technology research institutions of the Ministry of Science and Technology to serve atomic energy development and application and nuclear safety and security assurance;
• Invest in upgrading radiation application facilities in Da Nang city, focusing on research on radiation technology, marine environment and resources, and environmental radiation monitoring in Central Vietnam; invest in upgrading radiation technology application facilities in Ho Chi Minh City, focusing on research and application of radiation technology, design and manufacture of irradiation equipment using industrial-scale accelerators in the Southern region.

+ The Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology shall:

• Increase the capacity for conducting basic research and applying nuclear physics, physics and acceleration technology, radioisotope production and application, radiation technology, and material science, etc., in related sectors and fields;
• Set up and develop strong research groups in nuclear physics and atomic energy application on the basis of promoting international cooperation in atomic energy.

- To train and develop human resources

+ Regarding the development of specialized training institutions

To invest in physical facilities, equipment and laboratories, and to strengthen the contingent of lecturers and researchers of undergraduate and postgraduate training institutions to meet the demand for human resources for atomic energy research and application across various sectors and fields and for the implementation of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project.

+ Regarding training and retraining

• To evaluate and forecast the demand for human resources in existing atomic energy research, training and application institutions and in atomic energy schemes and projects that are and have been implemented in order to work out domestic and overseas undergraduate and postgraduate training plans to meet quantitative,  qualitative and nuclear specialization requirements;
• To organize internships and retraining at home and abroad in majors for state management personnel in the atomic energy sector, human resources for research and implementation to meet atomic energy development and application requirements of atomic energy of ministries, sectors and localities and human resources for technical assistance in nuclear safety and security.

- To ensure nuclear safety and security

+ Regarding the improvement of the state management capacity

• To build and consolidate the state management agency in charge of radiation and nuclear safety, ensuring the proper performance of its function as a nuclear regulatory body in accordance with the basic principles laid down by the International Atomic Energy Agency and requirements of the treaties on nuclear power to which Vietnam is a contracting party;
• To invest in enhancing the capacity of the state management agency in charge of radiation and nuclear safety in the appraisal, licensing and inspection of radiation and nuclear safety and nuclear security for radiation facilities, nuclear facilities and activities in the field of atomic energy; to facilitate the performance of its function as the focal point in organizing the implementation of treaties on nuclear safety, security, non-proliferation and compensation to which Vietnam is a contracting party.

+ Regarding the improvement of technical assistance capacity for ensuring safety and security

• To improve technical assistance capacity for ensuring radiation and nuclear safety and nuclear security; responding to incidents and administering the response to incidents; managing the safety of radioactive wastes, spent nuclear fuels and spent radioactive sources; managing occupational irradiation and medical irradiation; managing the ionized radiation measurement standards; managing the inspection and calibration of radiation equipment and radiometric equipment; managing environmental radioactivity nationwide; organizing the provision of nuclear regulatory information; and training radiation and nuclear safety state management personnel;
• To build radiation detection systems at a number of airports, seaports and border gates with large import and export throughputs;
• To develop a national environmental radiation monitoring and warning network and a mechanism for information exchange, data sharing, and synchronization of operations of the national and international radiation monitoring systems.

IV. LIST OF IMPORTANT PROGRAMS, PROJECTS AND SCHEMES PRIORITIZED FOR INVESTMENT

1. The list of programs, projects and schemes prioritized for investment is provided in the Appendix to this Decision.

2. Investment based on the aforementioned list of prioritized projects shall be made in accordance with the Law on Investment, Law on Public Investment, Law on the State Budget, and other relevant regulations.

V. IMPLEMENTATION SOLUTIONS AND RESOURCES

1. Solutions to improve the management organization system

Improving and building the capacity of state management agencies in charge of atomic energy development and application and assurance of nuclear safety and security; increasing technical assistance capacity to support the state management of nuclear safety and security.

2. Solutions to build and improve the legal system on, and mechanisms and policies for, atomic energy development and application

a/ Reviewing and developing a system of legal documents and mechanisms and policies to promote atomic energy development and application across socio-economic sectors;

b/ Reviewing, improving and formulating mechanisms and policies to attract, train, retrain, employ and provide preferential treatment to talented individuals, particularly policies on recruitment, wages, creation of a favorable working environment, and prioritization of  high-quality human resources;

c/ Improving the system of standards, technical regulations and econo-technical norms on atomic energy application in all sectors and fields;

d/ Formulating regulations and guidelines on the selection of temporary storage places, national-level places for long-term storage and landfill of radioactive wastes and spent radioactive sources in the health, natural resources and environment, agriculture and industry and other econo-technical sectors.

3. Solutions to develop human resources

a/ Training, retraining and developing human resources capable of acquiring new technologies and techniques by making optimal use of existing resources; strengthening links between research institutes, universities and enterprises, and building strong research groups in the field of atomic energy;

b/ Prioritizing the recruitment of graduates with majors related to the field of atomic energy in accordance with orientations set by master plans and sending them for postgraduate training in atomic energy in developed countries; sending young personnel to participate in training courses and scientific internships at overseas research institutions in accordance with the development orientation.

c/ Diversifying forms of training on the basis of standardizing the training process, strictly controlling the professional training for radiation staffs and persons engaged in atomic energy application support services; renovating training programs to meet practical needs;

d/ Raising the level of science, technology and management, building quality human resources to meet the demand for application development, management and efficient implementation of radiation application programs and projects;

dd/ Formulating and implementing schemes/projects on training and retraining human resources in the field of atomic energy to meet the demand for human resources in terms of quantity, qualifications and specialties, and the demand for highly qualified experts; formulating and implementing plans on human resource exchange between training institutions, research and application institutions of ministries and sectors; coordinating training, research and practice activities at application institutions and enterprises;

e/ Promoting programs on overseas training in atomic energy through schemes and cooperation with international organizations (IAEA, JINR, ANSN, EURATOM, etc.) and overseas advanced atomic energy research and training institutions.

4. Solutions to build and develop scientific and technological potentials

a/ Formulating, and organizing the implementation of, national scientific research and technological development programs in the field of atomic energy;

b/ Intensifying research, design, manufacture and production of a number of types of equipment to serve radiation and radioisotope application;

c/ Intensifying scientific research cooperation, joint venture and association between radiation institutions and institutions performing radiation jobs, research institutes and universities to promote the development of human resources, application of scientific and technological advances, efficient application of research outcomes to the production and business process of institutions and enterprises of all economic sectors in the field of atomic energy; maximizing the efficiency of the National Science and Technology Development Fund in supporting the atomic energy sector’s scientific and technological activities; increasing budget funds for scientific and technological research, providing and guaranteeing loans for the application of new technologies; developing mechanisms to encourage domestic organizations and individuals to create, establish and protect intellectual property rights in the field of atomic energy.

d/ Investing in research and importing technologies, acquiring and developing transferred technologies in order to fluently use and efficiently apply radiation and nuclear techniques. For key fields, formulating specific mechanisms and policies and considering support funds for technology application development.

dd/ Developing a system of national standard laboratories and local consultancy centers for technology transfer, maintenance, repair, inspection and calibration of radiation equipment and radiometric equipment; building new research institutions and laboratories up to international standards under the Project on a nuclear science and technology research center;

e/ Carrying out digital application and transformation in the management of information, data and images; developing nuclear energy research capacity and promoting international cooperation;

g/ Building the potential to develop technologies and techniques for producing radiopharmaceuticals to meet practical needs and develop new diagnostic and treatment techniques;

h/ Intensifying cooperation among research institutes, enterprises, hospitals, joint ventures and foreign companies, researching and developing advanced radiation and nuclear technologies to serve the socio-economic sectors.

5. Solutions to ensure nuclear safety and security

a/ Completing the system of legal documents, standards and regulations on nuclear safety and security;

b/ Enhancing the capacity of the nuclear regulatory agency and technical assistance organizations for ensuring nuclear safety and security;

c/ Managing the safety of radioactive wastes and spent radioactive sources; gradually eliminating obsolete radiation equipment, and promoting the application of hi-tech and advanced radiation equipment;

d/ Enhancing the control of quality assurance, quality inspection and realization of the culture of nuclear safety and security at radiation facilities and nuclear facilities and in activities involving radiation sources.

6. Solutions to improve community awareness and support

a/ Continuing to promote public communication to raise the awareness of Party committees, administrations, relevant agencies, units and organizations and the people about the role of the application of atomic energy for socio-economic development;

b/ Creating full awareness and accurate understanding among all social strata and related organizations of the nature, characteristics, necessity and benefits of the application of atomic energy for socio-economic development and of the requirements for ensuring nuclear safety and security, contributing to maintaining and promoting public consensus for atomic energy development and application;

c/ Reviewing mechanisms and policies on public communication to raise awareness about atomic energy; renovating communication contents and methods; improving the capacity of communication staff;

d/ Formulating and implementing schemes/projects on information and public communication about atomic energy;

dd/ Intensifying and effectively bringing into full play the advantages of traditional communication methods in combination with modern ones and the system of display rooms.

7. Solutions to promote international cooperation and integration

a/ Intensifying, expanding and improving the efficiency of the cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency, countries around the world and international organizations; stepping up the effective implementation of bilateral treaties and agreements with partners in the research, development and application of atomic energy;

b/ Building the capacity to implement the treaties on nuclear safety, security and non-proliferation to which Vietnam has acceded;

c/ Promoting overseas training programs through cooperation with international organizations and advanced countries in atomic energy; forming an international network of human resources working in the field of atomic energy, attaching importance to outstanding foreign and overseas Vietnamese experts who can share knowledge, skills and experience and provide support for personnel training;

d/ Intensifying international cooperation and integration to serve the training and technology transfer for atomic energy application, combining international cooperation on atomic energy with international cooperation on science and technology and on the economy, especially with partners having advanced technologies, source technologies and extensive experience in atomic energy research, development and application;

dd/ Stepping up the formulation and implementation of scientific research and international cooperation programs and projects in order to mobilize resources and experience for the development of scientific and technological potential in the atomic energy sector; continuing to mobilize and efficiently use foreign aid sources for infrastructure and equipment investment;

e/ Intensifying coordination and information sharing under multilateral cooperation mechanisms and treaties in order to improve the capacity for monitoring, warning and responding to impacts of climate change, environmental pollution or transboundary radiation incidents.

8. Investment, financial and capital mobilization solutions

a/ Prioritizing the allocation of the state budget’s recurrent expenditure sources for the implementation and performance of the Master Plan’s contents and tasks on the basis of the balancing capacity of the central budget, criteria and norms specified in current legal documents in order to allocate funding sources for implementation; ensuring compliance with the provisions of the state budget law and other relevant legal documents.

b/ Studying and improving financial mechanisms and mobilizing capital for investment in the atomic energy development and application;

c/ Promoting the mobilization of social resources and diversification of capital sources and forms of capital raising, effectively attracting domestic and foreign capital sources for research, development, application and human resource training, and ensuring nuclear safety and security in the field of atomic energy;

d/ Prioritizing the allocation of the state budget’s funds in accordance with the law on public investment and other relevant regulations for atomic energy development and application projects;

dd/ Prioritizing the allocation of capital for important and priority programs/projects; developing the environmental radioactivity warning and monitoring network;

e/ The State shall invest in and adopt appropriate mechanisms that encourage and incentivize enterprises and research and application institutions to participate in building specialized laboratories.

9. Solutions to organize the implementation of the Master Plan

a/ Organizing the announcement of the Master Plan under Article 29 of the Government’s Decree No. 41/2019/ND-CP of May 15, 2019, detailing the formulation, appraisal, approval, announcement, implementation, evaluation and adjustment of the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application;

b/ Working out a plan for implementation of the Master Plan under Article 31 of the Government’s Decree No. 41/2019/ND-CP of May 15, 2019 detailing the formulation, appraisal, approval, announcement, implementation, evaluation and adjustment of the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application;

c/ Facilitating the synchronous and close coordination among sectors and localities in the implementation of the Master Plan; ensuring the consistency, synchronization and efficiency of the Master Plan;

d/ Reporting on planning activities and evaluating the implementation of the Master Plan under Articles 32 and 33 of the Government’s Decree No. 41/2019/ND-CP of May 15, 2019, detailing the formulation, appraisal, approval, announcement, implementation, evaluation and adjustment of the Master Plan on atomic energy development and application;

dd/ Intensifying inspection and supervision of the implementation of the Master Plan to ensure compliance with regulations; promote the role of individuals, organizations and enterprises in supervising the implementation of the Master Plan;

e/ Strengthening the role of the National Council for Atomic Energy Development and Application in studying and advising the Prime Minister on the implementation of the Master Plan.

Article 2. Organization of implementation

1. The Ministry of Science and Technology shall:

a/ Announce the Master Plan; formulate and submit to competent authorities for approval a plan on implementation and provision of implementation guidance for the Master Plan;

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating and approving or submitting to competent authorities for approval, and organizing the implementation of, important programs, projects and schemes that are assigned to it for prioritized investment;

c/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries in, formulating a plan on cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency on atomic energy development and application and assurance of nuclear safety and security in the fields of health, industry, agriculture, natural resources and environment;

d/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment and Ministry of Finance in allocating budget funds for the implementation of the Master Plan in accordance with the Law on Public Investment, Law on the State Budget and relevant laws;

dd/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies and provincial-level People’s Committees in, evaluating the implementation of the Master Plan on an annual, five-year or irregular basis; propose adjustments to the Master Plan (when necessary), and report them to the Prime Minister; develop a database on the atomic energy development and application;

e/ Guide contents and forms of reports on planning activities of ministries, sectors and localities; sum up annual reports on the implementation of the Master Plan, and make and submit a final review report to the Prime Minister;

g/ Enhance the state management of medical irradiation control in order to ensure the effectiveness, quality and safety of medical diagnosis and treatment.

2. The Ministry of Health shall:

a/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in formulating plans on implementation of the Master Plan; allocate resources and organize the implementation of the Master Plan’s contents on the development and application of radiation and radioisotopes in the health sector;

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating and approving or submitting to competent authorities for approval, and organizing the implementation of, important programs, projects and schemes that are assigned to it for prioritized investment;

c/ Standardize professional titles for medical specialists, radiotherapy technicians, nuclear medicine technicians, electro-radiologists and medical physicists who work at oncology departments having radiotherapy equipment (or radiotherapy departments), nuclear medicine and electro-radiological equipment;

d/ Standardize training programs for radiotherapy and nuclear medicine specialists and radiation medicine technicians in accordance with international practices;

dd/ Complete the set of national standards for quality assessment of hospitals related to radiotherapy, nuclear medicine and image diagnostics as recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

e/ Increase technical capacity for the quality inspection of radioactive pharmaceuticals; improve procedures for licensing the import and export of radioactive pharmaceuticals for medical use; grant drug circulation licenses and good manufacturing practice (GMP) certificates for establishments producing radioactive pharmaceuticals;

g/ Organize medical irradiation control in hospitals according to the IAEA and World Health Organization’s recommendations.

h/ Annually evaluate the Master Plan’s implementation results and send them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for summarization and reporting to the Prime Minister.

3. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall:

a/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in formulating implementation plans for the Master Plan; allocate resources and organize the implementation of the Master Plan’s contents on the development and application of radiation and radioisotopes in the natural resources and environment sector;

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating and approving, or submitting to competent authorities for approval, and organizing the implementation of, important programs, projects and schemes that are assigned to it for prioritized investment. In case it is necessary to allocate additional land for implementing the Master Plan, strictly comply with the provisions of the land law;

c/ Annually evaluate the Master Plan’s implementation results and send them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for summarization and reporting to the Prime Minister.

4. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall:

a/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in formulating implementation plans for the Master Plan; allocate resources and organize the implementation of the Master Plan’s contents on the development and application of radiation and radioisotopes in industry;

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating and approving, or submitting to competent authorities for approval, and organizing the implementation of, important programs, projects and schemes that are assigned to it for prioritized investment;

c/ Annually evaluate the Master Plan’s implementation results and send them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for summarization and reporting to the Prime Minister.

5. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall:

a/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology in formulating implementation plans for the Master Plan; allocate resources and organize the implementation of the Master Plan’s contents on the development and application of radiation and radioisotopes in agriculture;

b/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and localities in, formulating and approving, or submitting to competent authorities for approval, and organizing the implementation of, important programs, projects and schemes that are assigned to it for prioritized investment;

c/ Annually evaluate the Master Plan’s implementation results and send them to the Ministry of Science and Technology for summarization and reporting to the Prime Minister.

6. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and related ministries and sectors in, summarizing and submitting to the Government and the Prime Minister medium-term and annual public investment plans for the implementation of programs and projects approved by competent agencies in accordance with the law on public investment for implementing the Master Plan.

7. The Ministry of Finance shall summarize proposals of ministries and central agencies and the state budget’s balancing capacity to propose competent authorities to allocate the central budget’s recurrent expenditure funds for the performance of the Master Plan’s tasks.

8. Other ministries and sectors and provincial-level People’s Committees:

a/ The Ministry of Education and Training shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, sectors and professional associations in, directing the review and finalization of training programs in the field of atomic energy, ensuring nuclear safety and security in conformity with international practices and meeting the domestic demands; connect the network of undergraduate and postgraduate training institutions and organize the implementation of training programs on atomic energy; coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and Ministry of Health in directing medical training institutions in developing and finalizing training programs for medical specialists and radiotherapy and nuclear medicine technicians up to international standards; provide basic radiation safety and protection knowledge in medical universities;

b/ The Hanoi National University, the Ho Chi Minh City National University and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology shall assume the prime responsibility for, or coordinate with one another in, formulating and approving, or submitting to competent authorities for approval, and organizing the implementation of, important programs, projects and schemes that are assigned to them for prioritized investment;

c/ The Vietnam News Agency, the Radio Voice of Vietnam, the Vietnam Television, local radio and television stations, newspapers and radio stations shall develop contents, news, articles, broadcasts, news reports, and columns for information and public communication about the application of atomic energy for socio-economic development;

d/ The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense, the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of Information and Communications and related ministries and sectors shall, within the ambit of their functions and tasks, coordinate with one another in the implementation of the Master Plan’s contents;

dd/ Provincial-level People’s Committees  shall coordinate with the Ministry of Science and Technology and other ministries and sectors in implementing relevant contents of the Master Plan; allocate land areas and create favorable conditions for the implementation of programs, projects and schemes under the Master Plan; allocate local budget funds and mobilize other lawful funding sources in accordance with law for the performance of the Master Plan’s tasks within the ambit of their local spending tasks.

Article 3. This Decision takes effect on the date of signing.

Article 4. Ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government-attached agencies, chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees, and related agencies shall implement this Decision.

For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
BUI THANH SON

* The Appendix to this Decision is not translated.