Safely and effectively harnessing potential of nuclear technology

Dong Nai City aims to make effective use of nuclear techniques and technology in industry, agriculture, healthcare, natural resource management, environmental protection, scientific research and other fields.

Experts present their papers at the scientific workshop “Applications of Nuclear Techniques in Dong Nai City’s Socio-Economic Development.”

The development of these applications must be aligned with professional expertise and human resources, while meeting security and radiation safety requirements. This will help strengthen scientific and technological capabilities and promote socio-economic development at the local level.

Leveraging existing strengths

Amid continuous advances in science and technology, the peaceful use of nuclear technology and atomic energy is opening up new development opportunities for localities, including Dong Nai. Potential applications include high-tech agriculture and agricultural exports; industrial irradiation and production-line optimization; natural resource management and environmental protection; healthcare; scientific research; and workforce training.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute under the Ministry of Science and Technology, said that the peaceful use of atomic energy and radiation applications make practical contributions to socio-economic development and the advancement of scientific research. Dong Nai has considerable potential to apply atomic energy and nuclear techniques in agriculture, natural resource management and environmental protection, as well as in product quality inspection and control, materials assessment and industrial production. In addition, the use of radiation in healthcare, particularly for cancer diagnosis and treatment, is opening up opportunities to improve the quality of healthcare services for local residents.

Dong Nai University and the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute have signed a cooperation agreement on training and workforce development in nuclear science, engineering and technology, radiation safety, and the peaceful use of atomic energy.

In particular, the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center project in Hang Gon is expected to provide further impetus for the development of nuclear engineering and the peaceful application of atomic energy. According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Tuan Khai, once operational, the center will help create the conditions for Dong Nai to develop its workforce and strengthen its capacity for nuclear research and applications, supporting socio-economic development both locally and nationwide.

Dr. Truong Van Minh, Deputy Head in charge of the Office of Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at Dong Nai University, said that Dong Nai has an extensive network of industrial parks and major national infrastructure projects, creating substantial demand for product quality inspection using non-destructive testing techniques. The city also has large-scale, high-quality specialized fruit-growing areas and a well-developed livestock industry. These strengths create significant opportunities for Dong Nai to advance the peaceful use of atomic energy and apply nuclear techniques to socio-economic development.

At the same time, given its large population and economic development, Dong Nai has an urgent need for advanced healthcare services. The city's major medical facilities have considerable potential to expand modern nuclear medicine centers equipped with technologies such as PET/CT and SPECT imaging, as well as cancer radiotherapy. This would enable residents to access early diagnostic services and cancer treatment locally, while helping ease the burden on higher-level hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City.

Nguyen Van Vien, Deputy Director of the Department of Science and Technology, emphasized that nuclear techniques and the peaceful use of atomic energy have considerable potential and practical applications in daily life and production, spanning healthcare, industry, agriculture, scientific research and environmental protection. However, research, development and application of atomic energy must always be accompanied by measures to ensure radiation safety, the security of radioactive sources, environmental protection and the safeguarding of human health.

Therefore, raising public awareness and communicating scientific knowledge accurately, clearly and responsibly are not solely the responsibilities of state management agencies and scientists. Educational institutions, businesses and society as a whole must also play an active role.

Developing the nuclear technology workforce

Workforce preparation is considered a key and decisive factor in improving the effectiveness of nuclear technology applications, helping ensure the timely and continuous availability of highly qualified professionals to meet the development needs of the field.

Dr. Truong Van Minh added that, under the national strategy for the peaceful use of atomic energy, Dong Nai will be home to the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center in Hang Gon. This will create an opportunity for Dong Nai University to collaborate effectively in training and scientific research, developing highly qualified personnel to directly serve nuclear medicine, industrial irradiation, environmental monitoring and other radiation applications. It will also help create favorable conditions for the university to establish joint training programs and expand research exchanges with research institutes and universities throughout the region and internationally.

In October 2026, Dong Nai University held a scientific workshop titled “Applications of Nuclear Techniques in Dong Nai City’s Socio-Economic Development.” At the workshop, experts and scientists discussed state management measures to ensure safety and security in the development of atomic energy applications, workforce training programs for the nuclear sector, and plans to develop a nuclear engineering curriculum at Dong Nai University.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Dinh Khang, an adviser to the nuclear engineering training program at Dong Nai University, said the university aims to develop a four-year nuclear engineering program covering general education, fundamental physics, foundational nuclear knowledge and specialized subjects. The university will also emphasize practical training and internships in areas such as nuclear electronics and nuclear physics, helping students become familiar with equipment, procedures and real-world applications of nuclear techniques.

By Lam Phuong – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho