VietNamNet Bridge – A project to build a space technology research and development centre at the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, Hanoi is now being researched.

The model of Hoa Lac Space Center.

According to a workshop introducing JETRO Study Team’s report on this project, held in Hanoi on Thursday, the total capital for this project totals US $350 million, coming from Japan’s ODA sources. The project will be implemented from now until 2017.

The Hoa Lac Space Center will be built on 9 ha. of land in the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, 30 km from Hanoi’s centre. The center will have a space technology operating zone, a small satellite assembly, integration and testing zone, a planetarium, a research and training zone and a ground station to receive data from satellites.

Japanese experts will help Vietnam manufacture a small satellite and apply remote sensing technology to serve economic and social development.

According to Takeo Matsuzawa, from the JETRO Study Team, the Hoa Lac Space Center will have the most modern equipment. Thanks to this centre, Vietnam can cut 10% of their losses that are caused by natural disasters, according to the Japanese expert. The centre can also help manage oil spills, forest fires, and prevent the illegal exploitation of timber.

Besides supervising disasters and managing natural resources, the centre can help Vietnam develop sci-tech and supporting industries.

Dr. Dang Vu Minh, Chairman of the National Assembly Committee for Science and Technology, Director of Space Technology Institute, said the Institute and JETRO experts are still working on the feasibility report of this project. The report will be submitted to the Vietnamese and Japanese governments in late 2008.

Quang Hanh