VietNamNet Bridge - Radiation and radioactive isotope applications have helped Vietnam produce more high-yield rice varieties resistant to pests and diseases, while new technologies have helped diagnose and treat critical diseases. 

From these applications, billions of dollars have been contributed to the economy.

Hoang Anh Tuan, Director of Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency, in Vietnam, said that atomic energy has been applied in many different fields, from industry to agriculture to healthcare. 

The strategy on applying atomic energy for peace until 2020 aims to build and develop industries and nuclear technologies that contribute directly and effectively to socio-economic development and enhance the scientific and technological potential of the country.

Vietnam is among the countries which have kept up with developed countries’ pace in applying nuclear radiation in diagnosing and treating diseases, allowing nationals to enjoy modern healthcare technologies in the country instead of having to go abroad.

There are 32 nuclear medical establishments. Many SPECT and SPECT/CT techniques for cancer and metastatic cancer, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and bone disease treatment are getting popular. 

There are 32 nuclear medical establishments. Many SPECT and SPECT/CT techniques for cancer and metastatic cancer, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and bone disease treatment are getting popular.

Some hospitals have 2,000-3,000 SPECT radiography cases each year. PET/CT technology using 18F-FDG - the world's most advanced technology – is now routinely used in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, cardiovascular and neurological diseases.

Bach Mai and Cho Ray hospitals, two of the most prestigious hospitals in Vietnam, alone serve 7,000-8,000 radiography cases each year, including 1,000 PET/CT cases. 

The total radioactive isotope supply in the healthcare sector satisfies 50 percent of demand. 

Vietnam needs 1,400 Ci a year, of which the Da Lat Nuclear Research Institute provides 400 Ci, while cyclotrons machines provide 250 Ci a year.

According to Le Ngoc Ha, head of the Nuclear Medicine Department under the Central Military Hospital 108 in Hanoi, where there is a cyclotron accelerator to produce radioactive isotopes for healthcare purposes, the hospital uses modern technologies like PET/CT to diagnose cancer. 

In many cases, diseases can be detected in their early stages. Many patients have been cured of thyroid cancer with Ytrium 90 - a modern technique.

Affirming that Vietnamese can master modern technologies in treating diseases, experts still have to think of solutions to increase patients’ accessibility to the technologies. This means that the treatment cost needs to be reasonable.

Ionizing radiation techniques in Vietnam are far cheaper than in other countries. Patients in the US now have to pay $25,000 for one stereotactic radiosurgery with rotating gamma knife, while it costs $2,000 in Vietnam, according to Mai Trong Khoa, deputy director of the Bach Mai Hospital.

According to Ha, a PET/CT cost $3,000-4,000 in New York in 2003 and $2,000-3,000 in Thailand and Singapore. In Vietnam, the price is VND22 million, while patients who have health insurance only have to pay VND3 million.