This Agreement has been initially signed by Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Phạm Bình Minh and United State Secretary of State John Kerry on October 10, 2013 in Brunei within the framework of the 23rd ASEAN Summit Conference and other relevant summit conferences organized in Brunei.

This Agreement has been signed with the spirit of Item 123 on “Cooperation with other nations” in the United States’ Law on Atomic Energy in 1954, in order to adjust commercial transactions in the nuclear energy field and create the legal framework for strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and the US’s partners on research, training, use and development of atomic energy, especially in the development of nuclear power in Vietnam. Agreement 123 is the basis for Vietnam to receive advanced and modern nuclear technology directly or originally from the United State for Vietnam’s nuclear power projects.

Especially, the signing of the Agreement has marked the important step on the reliability in cooperative relations between Vietnam and the US on using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, at the same time opened significant opportunities for the two parties in promoting specific cooperation projects on radiation use as well as the development of nuclear power for the social and economic development of each country.

The cooperation framework of the Agreement include the development of nuclear energy use; research, use and development of civil nuclear reactor pile technology, management of used materials; training, development of the infrastructure and human resources; research and use of radio-active isotopes in industries, agriculture, health and environment; radiation protection, radioactive waste protection, used materials; nuclear safety, security, inspection and non-popularization.

At the same time, the Agreement only specifies the transfer of low-enriched uranium and other materials and equipment which are transferred to carry out applications within the framework of the Agreement. The Agreement which has the validity of 30 years would be continued with each period of 5 years and can be amended when there is the agreement between the two parties through diplomatic channels.

The cooperation is carried out in the following forms: exchanging scientific and technical information and documents; staff exchanging and training; organization of conferences and workshops; provision of technical services and supports; joint researches; other cooperation forms agreed by the two parties.

Representatives of the Governments of the two countries signed Agreement 123

Delivering a speech at the Signing Ceremony, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States to Vietnam David Shear affirmed that “With the complete preparation of this Agreement 123, the US and Vietnam would strengthen current commercial relations which have been strong. Agreement 123 would create more possibilities for the US companies to export civil nuclear equipment for Vietnam’s nuclear energy industry. The Agreement would also promote the possibility that Vietnam has access to the most reliable and multi current technologies.”

Minister of Science and Technology Nguyễn Quân also affirmed that "the signing of the Agreement has marked the important step on the reliably in cooperative relations between Vietnam and the US on using nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, at the same time opened significant opportunities for the two parties in promoting specific cooperation projects on radiation use as well as the development of nuclear power for the social and economic development of each country. In order to achieve this Agreement, the two negotiating delegations of Vietnam and the US have made their most efforts for many years, sharing opinions to come to agreements with spirits of mutual understanding, equity and benefits. The signing of Agreement 123 has showed the determination of the Governments of the two countries in strengthening the cooperation on civil nuclear for peace and prosperity".

Thành Nam