The Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute has identified three sites to build a new nuclear research center, which will be submitted to the Ministry of Science and Technology for approval, said the institute’s head, Dr. Nguyen Nhi Dien.

The nuclear reactor in Da Lat City has existed for over 50 years. It will stop operating in the next 10 years. As an alternative, the Center for Science and Nuclear Technology will be established; the focus is a new nuclear reactor. The new reactor will have a capacity of 15MW, thirty times more than the old one.

The construction of the new nuclear center would have started last year but it was delayed because of a disagreement between local authorities and the Ministry of Science and Technology on the site of construction.

According to Dien, the initial position approved was Hon Bo mountain, Ward 12, Da Lat, near the current nuclear reactor, but the the local governments did not agree due to safety concerns for the neighborhoods, which is a residential area.

Currently, the three options are one site in the commune of Da Nhim, 35 km from Da Lat, as proposed by the People's Committee of Lam Dong province, and two sites in Suoi Tre and Hang Gon communes of Long Khanh town, Dong Nai province, about 50 km from Ho Chi Minh City.

These sites are suggested based on environmental and geological conditions, security, and the ability to attract investment and manpower. A site in Cam My district (Dong Nai) was eliminated as it is too close to Long Thanh airport.

"In addition to research needs, more importantly, the new nuclear scientific and technological center will give technological and human resource support for a nuclear power project in Ninh Thuan in the future," said Mr. Nguyen Nhi Dien said.