Vietnam unveils new Hanoi space center

Speaking at its inauguration Friday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said it represents "an important achievement resulting from Vietnam’s long journey in satellite technology development, signaling a shift from building foundations to operating and gradually mastering space technology."

It also symbolizes the close cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, he added.

The center spans nine hectares and was built with Japanese official development assistanceat a vost of more than VND7 trillion (US$266 million).

A 9.3-meter antenna at the Vietnam Space Center at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy

It has an operations center, a satellite data collection and application center, a satellite research and development center, and a 9.3-meter antenna. There are also a space museum, a multimedia center, an international guest house, an observatory, and facilities for training.

Pham Anh Tuan, its general director, said the idea for the project was mooted in 2007 following his visit to the Tsukuba Space Center in Japan.

Chinh said space science is one of the key foundations of the digital economy and national defense. Developing satellite technology is key to having telecom networks and global positioning systems, and providing critical data for monitoring natural resources and forecasting natural disasters, he said.

Ito Naoki, Japan’s ambassador to Vietnam, described the inauguration as "a historic moment marking the beginning of a new era of cooperation between Japan and Vietnam."

The space sector has a special position in the two countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, he added.