Improving the radiation and nuclear incident response system.

According to the Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency (Ministry of Science and Technology), Vietnam's radiation and nuclear incident response system is currently being developed from the central to local levels, comprising three tiers: national, local, and facility-level.

It is expected that in 2013, the National Radiation and Nuclear Incident Response Plan, developed under the leadership of the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, will be completed. This plan will assess the overall risk of radiation and nuclear incidents, the responsibilities of ministries and agencies in response activities, and determine the levels of intervention and other related incident preparedness and response measures.

Monitoring the reactor with the new control system at the Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute.
(Illustrative photo: Quang Nhựt/TTXVN)

Currently, eight provinces and cities nationwide – Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Lang Son, Khanh Hoa, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Binh Duong – have completed their provincial-level incident response plans. Some provinces and cities, such as Hanoi and Lang Son, have already conducted drills involving local units. In addition, several other localities, including Dong Nai, Nam Dinh, Thua Thien-Hue, Can Tho, and Quang Ninh, are also carrying out initial preparations for their local radiation and nuclear incident response plans.

To enhance its technical capacity to respond to radiation and nuclear incidents, Vietnam has joined the Convention on Early Notification and the Convention on Assistance; and registered contact points for radiation and nuclear incidents.

In addition to disseminating knowledge on incident response and conducting incident response drills at the national, local, and facility levels, functional units are focusing on developing procedures for early diagnosis and treatment of radiation sickness...

Currently, Vietnam has established a system for detecting radioactive substances in imported goods at Cai Mep port, Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, marking the beginning of equipping radiation control points at border gates, international ports, and large steel processing facilities.

The Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency stated that all radiation and nuclear incidents occurring in Vietnam are related to false alarms, detection of uncontrolled radioactive sources, source jamming, and source drops.

Since 2012, three radiation incidents have occurred in Vietnam, all of which have been safely handled by the relevant authorities. These include the incident involving an abandoned uranium radioactive source in Bac Lach commune, Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province; the incident of a radioactive source becoming lodged in a well of the Vietnam-Russia Joint Venture (Vietsovpertro) in 2012; and most recently, the discovery of a radioactive source at Chieng Sinh Cement Joint Stock Company (Son La province).

According to (VNA) - VT