MoU on application of space technology for prevention and mitigation of natural disasters

Delegates at the ceremony

Attending the ceremony were MARD Deputy Minister and Head of the WRD, Dr. Hoang Van Thang; Prof Duong Ngoc Hai, VAST Vice President; Mr. Chu Ishida, Director of the Earth Observation Center, JAXA; representatives from Department of Science, Technology and Environment, the Department of International Cooperation, the Institute of Water Resources Science under the MARD; representatives from the Institute of Space Technology, the Department of International Cooperation, the Department of Application and Development of Technology under VAST.

The sides signed the MoU in the following areas:

• Sharing historical data, including satellite images; remote sensing data on natural disasters in of Vietnam; gradually building a database from current satellite images , and the national remote sensing data serving the prevention of disasters in Vietnam. JAXA will provide satellite data through the network of Sentinel Asia, the third phase, for the database system of WRD with the technical support of VAST.


• Exchanging satellite data when natural disasters occur: JAXA will provide satellite data owned by JAXA, not limiting data ALOS-2 for WRD and/or VAST request of WRD and/or VAST through the Sentinel Asia network. VAST will provide satellite data owned by VAST, such as Sentinel Asia network VNREDSat, the third phase.


• Increasing capacity for the bodies of the WRD and VAST on application of remote sensing and GIS in the prevention of natural disasters through training activities co-organised by JAXA.


• Developing programs and projects on the application of remote sensing technology and GIS for the prevention of natural disasters: WRD and VAST will develop programs and projects on the application of remote sensing technology and GIS for the prevention of natural disasters in Vietnam. JAXA will provide technical support for WRD and VAST in such activities.

Each side appointed manpower to realise the cooperation under the MoU, committing that activities conducted based on the MOU strictly conform to data policies of each country. The sides agreed to support each other in exchanging researchers, organizing scientific events as well as developing joint activities

Representatives from 3 agencies signed the MoU under the witness of participants

The application of geospatial technology will help the State management agencies and policy makers have an overall picture of the whole area which is affected by natural disasters, with more quantitative information in the whole process of preparedness, assessment of damage, evacuation of residents and dealing with of the damage before, during and after natural disasters, as well as development of long-term plans. Geospatial application also aims to implement article 4 of the Law on natural disaster prevention:  "Prevention of natural disasters must be based on science; combining the use of traditional experience and advanced science and technology ".

Commemorative photographing at the end of the ceremony

The signing ceremony of the MoU is an important milestone for the parties to continue to cooperate in the prevention and mitigation of natural disasters in Vietnam.

Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese Version