Vietnam has become the 78th nation to sign the Artemis Accords, joining the growing coalition of countries committed to the peaceful, transparent and responsible exploration of space, NASA announced on October 28.

Source: NASA

Vietnam's Minister of Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan signed the accords on behalf of the country during Vietnam International Digital Week in Ha Long, NASA said. The United States Ambassador to Vietnam, Jennifer Wicks, also participated in the signing event.

“Vietnam is joining at an important point in the development of its own space program,” NASA Deputy Administrator Matt Anderson said in recorded remarks for the ceremony. “NASA and the Vietnam National Space Center have built momentum in satellite innovation, land-use research, and radar-based Earth observation. Joining the Artemis Accords opens a new chapter in that relationship.”

NASA said Vietnam's decision extends the US-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into a new frontier. The partnership, built on more than 30 years of cooperation, spans defence, economic, law enforcement, war legacy and technological cooperation, the agency said.

Earlier this year, NASA partnered with Vietnam's Vietnamese-German University to support its Soil Moisture Active Passive mission, which measures surface-soil water worldwide. Vietnam has also inaugurated its National Space Center in Hanoi and is developing domestic satellite capabilities through the LOTUSat programme, focusing on Earth observation, weather monitoring and disaster response, according to NASA.

The Artemis Accords were established in 2020 by NASA and the US State Department together with seven founding nations. Signing means committing to explore peaceably and transparently, to render aid to those in need, to enable access to scientific data, to ensure activities do not interfere with those of others, and to preserve historically significant sites and artefacts, NASA said.

ASEAN-region reporting on the signing said Minister Quan described space technology as strategically important for Vietnam's scientific capabilities and sustainable growth, and said Vietnam wants to cooperate with member countries on exploration conducted peacefully, safely, equitably, transparently and sustainably under international law.

Source: ASEAN Coverage Finance

NASA said more countries are expected to sign the accords in the months and years ahead, as work continues to establish a safe, peaceful and prosperous future in space.