Six countries compete for Vietnam’s nuclear power projects.

The Hanoitimes -  The US Ambassador to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United Nations Glyn Davies said that at least six countries want to be chosen as the contractor of Vietnam’s first nuclear power plants.

Vietnam and the US o­n December 8 reached an agreement o­n comprehensive change of the atomic reactor for research in Da Lat, from highly enriched uranium (HEU) to lowly enriched uranium (LEU).

The move follows Vietnamcommitment agreed at the Nuclear Security Summit in Washington in April 2010.

The Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute operates an atomic reactor of 500 KW, which was built in 1963 with the US’ assistance to produce isotopes used in healthcare and to conduct nuclear research.

In September 2007, the US National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) assisted Vietnam in changing part of the atomic reactor in Da Lat from using HEU to LEU and transported 4.3 kg of unused HEU from Da Lat to Russia.

On December 1, Vietnam and the US set up a legal framework for their cooperation to entirely change the fuel for the reactor in Da Lat and to transport the used HEU back to Russia.

Speaking with the media in Hanoi o­n December 1, Mr. Glyn Davies said that Vietnam is taking a lead in ASEAN for developing nuclear power with progressive viewpoints and strong commitments with principles o­n safety and security. He confirmed that the US wants to cooperate with Vietnam in commercial nuclear power.

Previously Vietnam reached agreements with Russia and Japan o­n the construction of its first two nuclear power plants in Ninh Thuan but Davies said that the US is not worried about being a late comer and he believed in the prospect for future cooperation in nuclear power between the two countries.

He said at least six countries are competing to construct modern nuclear power plants in Vietnam, using the best and most modern technologies. Vietnam can take a shortcut by using the best technologies.

He confirmed that the US doesn’t negotiate and is not interested in negotiating with Vietnam in enriching uranium. The two sides o­nly discuss the US’ assistance for Vietnam to build its nuclear infrastructure facilities.

In her latest visit to Vietnam, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that Vietnam is a positive partner in civil nuclear cooperation and non-prolification of nuclear weapons.