Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan on December 11 told Charles Bolden, Administrator of the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), that Vietnam hopes to cooperate further with NASA in aerospace technology development in the future.

Nhan said Bolden’s visit is a step forward in the development of cooperation between Vietnam and the US in the field.

He informed the guest that Vietnam has implemented a project to build a satellite data and image analysing centre in Ho Chi Minh City .

Nhan expressed his hope that NASA will help Vietnam train personnel in satellite and Earth science, and support the country to participate in international space organisations as well as agreements regarding the use of outer space.

In reply, Bolden hailed the positive results of the Vietnam National Satellite Centre that was established one year ago.

He said the two sides should further strengthen space technology cooperation in the future.

Bolden briefed his host on the outcomes of his Vietnam visit, including his meeting with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST). Bolden and leaders of the academy discussed cooperation scopes and prospects - particularly the application of satellite technology to monitor the environment, natural resources and disasters - to raise bilateral cooperation between the two agencies to a new height.