At the event, Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Tran Viet Thanh, stated that the Vietnamese Government highly values the centre’s accomplishments over the past 25 years and considers it a symbol of the traditional friendship and cooperation between the scientific communities of both countries.

Since its inception, the centre has set up a number of facilities, conducted a vast amount of scientific research, helped Vietnam train top quality specialists and enhanced relations with Vietnamese ministries and research establishments.

Among the conducted research are those that have studied infectious diseases and the prolonged effects of the toxic chemicals used by the US during the war.

According to a newly-signed agreement, the centre will remain in operation until 2017.