26 Oct (NucNet): GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) today signed a memorandum of understanding with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Agency (VAEA) aimed at improving the agency’s understanding of light water reactor technology and nuclear project management. The MoU calls for GEH and VAEA to cooperate to promote training and development of human resources associated with the civilian nuclear power programme in Vietnam, a statement said. Through the agreement GEH will provide practical work experience for VAEA staff in such areas as nuclear safety culture, project management and quality assurance. This is the fourth MoU that GEH has signed in Vietnam in recent months. In February GEH signed an agreement with Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety to promote the human resources training and development in the field of nuclear safety analysis. In autumn 2014, MoUs were signed with Hanoi University of Science and Technology and Electric Power University to cooperate in the field of nuclear engineering and technology. Twelve students from the two universities recently completed internships at GEH’s headquarters in Wilmington, North Carolina. Vietnam has no commercial nuclear power stations, but is planning to build four reactors. The government approved the reactors in 2009 and agreements have been signed with Russia to build the first two units and with Japan to build the second two. Construction for the first unit was scheduled to begin in 2014, but in January 2014 Vietnam’s prime minister said it would be delayed to 2020 to “ensure the safety and efficiency” of the project.