3:26:37 PM | 7/8/2005
Vietnam has recently established the Atomic Energy Association with an aim to promote and further raise the effectiveness of atomic energy application in line with socio-economic development activities.
The association, the first one specializing in atomic energy in Vietnam, held its first congress in Hanoi on April 9 to elect an executive board and work out a plan of action for the 2005-2010 period.
The congress elected a 43-member executive board with Dr Hoang Van Phong, Minister of Science and Technology, as its President.
The association is expected to join with the Vietnam Atomic Institute in carrying out research and development activities in the area.
Atomic energy has been used in Vietnam for a long time and has been widely applied in agriculture, geology, hydro-meteorology and some industries in northern Vietnam since the 1950's.
Vietnam plans to invest US$3.65 billion in building two nuclear power plants with a designed capacity of 2,000 megawatts in 2015.
Vietnam now has about 6,000 skilled workers and experts working in the atomic energy sector.
Vietnamese
