Vietnam's Future Energy: Next Steps Towards Nuclear Power Implementation

Vietnam is currently facing the challenges of energy transition and the need for a stable baseload power source, with nuclear energy emerging as a key solution to meet the ever-increasing electricity demand. Having recovered from its decision to halt its nuclear energy ambitions in 2016 due to economic concerns, the government is now reviving the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, underscoring Vietnam’s readiness to build on its “Go Nuclear Energy” commitment to sustainable energy security and carbon emission reduction.

The implementation of nuclear energy in Vietnam is in line with the 8th Energy Plan, which aims to diversify energy sources and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. The recent high-level agreement with Russia’s Rosatom and strategic policy adjustments have set the platform for Vietnam to take concrete steps towards the implementation of nuclear power after several years of delay. 

Russia-Vietnam Nuclear Energy Partnership

Vietnam’s nuclear energy revival has formed a strong commitment to cooperation agreements between Russia and Vietnam. During Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to Vietnam, Rosatom director Alexei Likhachev reiterated his interest in partnering in the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. Russia’s Rosatom is expected to play a key role in technology transfer, construction and operational support.

Russia remains a strategic partner in Vietnam’s energy and defense sectors, making nuclear cooperation a natural extension of their long-standing relationship. Vietnam is evaluating Russia’s VVER-1000 and VVER-1200 reactors, known for their safety and efficiency, along with Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as future options. Given Russia’s extensive experience in nuclear energy exports, this partnership positions Vietnam to accelerate its nuclear power deployment while benefiting from Russian expertise, financial and operational support. As part of the collaboration, Vietnam will also negotiate financial and technical agreements to ensure smooth project implementation. 

Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project Plans

The Ninh Thuan nuclear power project is a concrete effort by Vietnam to develop a stable long-term energy solution, with the government targeting completion between 2030 and 2031. To ensure this realization, the National Assembly has approved specific mechanisms and policies that will accelerate the implementation of the project by simplifying investment procedures and securing funding sources.

Vietnam Electricity (EVN) has been appointed as the investor for Ninh Thuan 1, while Petrovietnam (PVN) will manage Ninh Thuan 2. Each plant will consist of two reactor units, with a combined capacity of 4,000 MW. The government has accelerated the bidding process, allowing for direct “turnkey” contracts where the selected contractor will handle design, construction and initial operations. This eliminates bureaucratic delays and ensures that the project stays on target.

The Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee has shown support through a commitment to complete land acquisition by 2025 to ensure that investors receive clean land for development. This includes resettlement policies to provide better living conditions for affected residents, financial support, and infrastructure improvements. Chairman Tran Quoc Nam stressed that public trust and support for the project remain strong, with locals seeing nuclear power as a path to economic growth and energy security. 

Ha Tinh as a Backup Nuclear Power Location

Although Ninh Thuan remains the main location for nuclear power development in Vietnam, the Ministry of Industry and Trade has proposed Ha Tinh as a backup site in case unforeseen challenges delay or prevent construction in Ninh Thuan. The Ministry of Industry and Trade considers Ha Tinh as one of eight potential sites for building large-scale nuclear power plants according to Decree 906/QD-TTg dated June 17, 2010 of the Prime Minister. There are 8 potential locations in 5 provinces that are suitable for building nuclear power plants, namely:

1. Vinh Truong Village, Phuoc Dinh Subdistrict, Thuan Nam District, Ninh Thuan Province.

2. Thai An Village, Vinh Hai Subdistrict, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province.

3. Lo Dieu Village, Hoai My Subdistrict, Hoai Nhon District, Binh Dinh Province.

4. Vung La, Phu Hai Village, Xuan Phuong Subdistrict, Song Cau District, Phu Yen Province.

5. Son Tinh Village, Ky Xuan Subdistrict, Ky Anh District, Ha Tinh Province.

6. Cha La Beach, Binh Tien Village, Cong Hai Subdistrict, Thuan Bac District, Ninh Thuan.

7. Gia Hoa Village, Duc Thang Subdistrict, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province.

8. Van Ban Village, Duc Chanh Subdistrict, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province.

Ha Tinh’s strategic advantage lies in its proximity to northern Vietnam, where electricity demand is growing rapidly. By building a nuclear facility in Ha Tinh, Vietnam can reduce its dependence on inter-regional energy transmission, strengthen the national power grid, and enhance energy stability. In addition, Ha Tinh already has a strong industrial base, hosting major energy projects such as the Vung Ang Thermal Power Plant, which can facilitate workforce training and infrastructure development for nuclear power. However, developing Ha Tinh as a nuclear power plant site will require further feasibility studies, including environmental assessments, geological evaluations, and public communications. 

Nuclear Power in Vietnam’s Energy Strategy

Vietnam’s nuclear energy development is not only about meeting immediate power demand, but also about strategic investment in long-term energy security, economic growth and carbon neutrality. To secure capital for the nuclear power project, Vietnam will rely on various funding channels, including government loans, corporate bonds and state budget allocations. In addition, the government is negotiating international financial agreements to attract investment, including credit terms from foreign partners. The National Assembly has also approved a mechanism that will allow Ninh Thuan province to retain up to 70% of the project’s revenue increase, to ensure local economic benefits and sustainable infrastructure development.

In the future, Vietnam is considering not only traditional large-scale reactors, but also new technologies such as Small Modular Reactors (SMRs). These smaller, more flexible reactors can be deployed in stages, making them more adaptable to Vietnam’s growing and evolving energy needs. By exploring advanced reactor designs, Vietnam can prepare its nuclear energy infrastructure for the future and position itself as a regional leader in nuclear technology adoption.

This article was researched and written by Marchelino Hutama.