The Nuclear Research Institute in Dalat, Viet Nam celebrates 20th Anniversary of restart of its research reactor on 20 March 2004. The TRIGA Mark II type research reactor was originally constructed by the United States in 1963. However, due to the war the reactor has not been constructed. In 1984, the reconstruction and upgrading of the reactor have been completed with the technical assistance from the former Soviet Union. Since then, the renovated reactor has been operating with 500 Kwt capacity and this year marks the 20th historic anniversary of the restart.

The Nuclear Research Institute in Dalat reflects the milestones of peaceful nuclear research and development in Viet Nam. In 1976, the Council of Ministers decided to establish the Dalat Nuclear Research Institute which was the foundation of the present Vietnam Atomic Energy Commission (VAEC). The reactor has been operating successfully until now while serving for RI production, neutron activation analysis and other research oriented purposes. Current plan calls for the reactor to be used for training and education to meet the requirements for human resources development for future nuclear power programme in the country.

In order to enlighten the historic anniversary, VAEC organizes an International Symposium on 'Management, Operation and Utilization of Research Reactors' in 18-19 March 2004 in Dalat city. A total of 17 papers are presented at the Symposium among them 10 are invited papers from Argentine, France, India, Japan, Korea, Russia and IAEA.