Sister Lab Program Prospective Partner Nuclear Profile: Vietnam Page: 4 of 28
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corporations3, and think tanks all predict a massive increase in energy consumption-
especially electricity-within Vietnam and the region as a whole.
This growth in consumption will require a corresponding increase in energy production,
which in Vietnam is currently satisfied mainly by fossil fuels (coal) and renewable
energy (hydropower and biomass); Vietnam has a refining capacity of about 800
barrels/day. Most of its crude oil is exported to generate export income, and is not used
to generate electricity.4 Although Vietnam is able to meet most of its needs through its
own resources, it consumes more electricity than it produces (approximately six billion
KWh/a).5 Open sources indicate that increasing exports of manufactured goods and a
corresponding growth in the industrial sector (16% since 2003)6 will lead to a greater
energy shortfall beyond the next decade-between 35 and 65 billion KWh/year after
2020.78 As a signatory to the Kyoto Treaty and other regional environmental accords,
and seeking an alternative to its stretched hydroelectric resources, Vietnam is looking for
a means to increase energy production while minimizing emissions of greenhouse gases.9
2. Technical Capabilities and FacilitiesDalat Research Reactor
;Vietnam's only research reactor is
located at the Nuclear Research
Institute (NRI) in Dalat. The reactor
was originally built in the early 1960s
as a 250 kW TRIGA Mk-II pool-type
research reactor. The reactor was shut
down during the country's civil war in
the 1960s and 1970s, and the fuel was
removed to the United States in April
1975. In 1984 the reactor was restored
to operating condition with the
assistance of the Soviet Union, whichinstalled a new core within the existing reactor tank. The restored 500kW reactor utilizes
WWR-M2 fuel assemblies enriched to 36%,10 and has been primarily engaged in
radioisotope production for the medical, agricultural, and industrial sectors, and to
conduct research in these and environmentally-related areas.11 The age of the reactor and
limitations on neutron flux and power level are beginning to restrict its ability to support
increasing user demands; current plans by the NRI are to replace the reactor with a new
high power research reactor before 2020.12
Radiotherapy Centers
Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety and Control (VARANSAC) officials
informed U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) officials that there are currently 13 Co-60
teletherapy units in use throughout Vietnam. Although DOE has little information on
these units, it is known that three operate in Hanoi, several are located in Ho Chi Minh
City and the remainder spread about the country. Three disused sources are stored in a
warehouse in Ho Chi Minh City, in a purportedly secure facility. All of the sources are
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Bissani, M & Tyson, S. Sister Lab Program Prospective Partner Nuclear Profile: Vietnam, report, December 14, 2006; Livermore, California. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc878176/m1/4/: accessed April 25, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.