Vietnam and France Strengthen Nuclear Safety Cooperation

A visiting Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister Pham Minh Ha of the Ministry of Construction, recently met with the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) to discuss nuclear safety standards and technical guidelines. The meeting aimed to expand cooperation between the two nations, particularly in the areas of training and capacity building for Vietnamese officials. The French side, led by Commissioner Stephanie Guenot-Bresson and Deputy General Director Julien Collet, presented an overview of ASNR's structure, responsibilities, and nuclear applications in France. Vietnam expressed interest in France's processes for building, operating, and licensing nuclear power plants, and ASNR provided detailed information on the three stages of construction approval.

Key Takeaways:

• Deputy Minister Pham Minh Ha led a Vietnamese delegation to meet with the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) on September 15.
• The French side presented an overview of ASNR's structure, responsibilities, and nuclear applications in France, including safety standards and technical guidelines for nuclear power plant construction.
• Deputy Minister Ha expressed interest in France's processes for building, operating, and licensing nuclear power plants and thanked ASNR for its detailed information.
• ASNR pledged to share technical guidelines and safety standards with Vietnam and offered to provide training for Vietnamese specialists through the Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN).
• The meeting marked a significant step in strengthening nuclear safety cooperation between Vietnam and France.

Statistics:

• The French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR) operates under a board of five commissioners appointed by the French President.
• ASNR has 11 regional offices in addition to its headquarters in Paris.
• The Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) is ready to provide training for Vietnamese specialists.
• ASNR was formed in 2025 through the merger of the Nuclear Safety Authority (ASN) and IRSN.

Sources:

• Ministry of Construction. (n.d.). Deputy Minister Pham Minh Ha led a Vietnamese delegation to meet with the French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR).
• ASNR. (n.d.). Presentation of ASNR's structure and responsibilities.
• ASNR. (n.d.). Overview of France's nuclear applications and safety standards.
• French Ministry of Ecological Transition. (n.d.). The French Authority for Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection (ASNR): An independent administrative body for nuclear safety regulation.