Việt Nam has officially launched a nationwide early warning radiation monitoring network aimed at strengthening nuclear safety, improving environmental protection and boosting regional cooperation across Southeast Asia.
WEBDESK – MediaBites News
The Việt Nam Atomic Energy Institute, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, inaugurated the Vietnamese component of the EU-funded EU–ASEANTOM project in coordination with the European Union delegation to Việt Nam.
The project focuses on building an Early Warning Radiation Monitoring Network (EWRMN) and an ASEAN regional data exchange platform to help member states rapidly detect abnormal radiation levels and respond to potential nuclear or environmental emergencies.
Officials said the system is designed to provide real-time monitoring and early alerts to protect both communities and the environment from radiation-related risks.
Under the project, Việt Nam has established 41 online radiation monitoring stations across the country. The network includes 40 ground-level gamma radiation monitoring devices and one underwater gamma spectrometry device installed at the Hòn Dấu Oceanographic Station in northern Việt Nam.
A central operations center based in Hà Nội will receive and process live radiation data from all monitoring stations nationwide around the clock.
Importantly, Việt Nam’s monitoring system has also been fully integrated into the ASEAN regional data exchange platform hosted in Thailand and is prepared for future connection with the International Atomic Energy Agency’s global radiation monitoring system.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Lê Xuân Định said radiation and nuclear safety remain top priorities for the Vietnamese government as the country expands peaceful applications of atomic energy.
“The official operation of this network will enable authorities to rapidly assess situations and respond effectively in the event of incidents, thereby ensuring the safety of people and the environment,” he said.
EU Ambassador to Việt Nam Julien Guerrier described the project as a major step in strengthening cooperation between Việt Nam, ASEAN, and the EU in addressing chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear risks.
The EU also reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Việt Nam in areas including renewable energy, nuclear safety, energy efficiency, and technology transfer.
Officials said the monitoring network will not only strengthen Việt Nam’s ability to detect radiation incidents early but also improve regional coordination and long-term nuclear safety management across Southeast Asia.
