The notice emphasises that accelerating the development of power sources, especially nuclear energy, is an urgent task to ensure national energy security and meet Vietnam’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth in the coming years. At the same time, it is a necessary step toward fulfilling the country’s international commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Since late 2024, the Politburo, the Party Central Committee, and the Government have issued strong directives to resume the development of the Ninh Thuan nuclear projects. The Prime Minister has chaired two meetings of the Steering Committee for Nuclear Power Plant Construction and assigned 13 key tasks. To date, 47% of tasks have been completed, 38% are in progress, and 15% have not yet started.

However, the pace of investment cooperation negotiations, especially for Ninh Thuan 2, remains slow, potentially affecting the approval process and the goal of completing construction by the end of 2030 or by December 31, 2031, at the latest.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son stressed that nuclear power development must serve a dual purpose of increasing electricity supply and supporting a clean energy transition. As nuclear energy is a new sector for Vietnam, he underscored the need to improve legal frameworks and policies based on international experience; access advanced technologies from countries with mature nuclear industries; train high-quality human resources with cooperation from relevant ministries, Electricity of Vietnam (EVN), Vietnam National Industry and Energy Group (PVN), and international partners; and ensure technology transfer during construction and operation phases.

The Deputy Prime Minister assigned the Ministry of Industry and Trade the responsibility of coordinating with ministries and Ninh Thuan province to resolve issues and push forward the projects. Among the tasks is to establishing a negotiation team for Ninh Thuan 1, conclude talks with Russia by July 2025, and sign an intergovernmental agreement by August.

Other key directives include discussing potential renewed cooperation with Japan on Ninh Thuan 2, with results reported by July; reviewing and standardising safety distance regulations between nuclear plants and residential areas; and completing the investment adjustment approval dossiers in accordance with legal requirements.

The Ninh Thuan Provincial People’s Committee is tasked with finalising land use and provincial planning adjustments and completing land acquisition, resettlement, and compensation efforts within 2025.

Major national enterprises such as EVN, PVN, and the Vietnam National Energy-Industry Group must work closely with the MoIT and local authorities to prepare for negotiations, clear land, resettle affected households, and stabilise livelihoods. The Ministry of Finance and the State Bank of Vietnam will coordinate funding arrangements and negotiate credit agreements with international partners.

Vietnam seeks Westinghouse cooperation in developing nuclear energy projects

VOV.VN - Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien met with the leadership of Westinghouse Electric Company LLC, a global leader in nuclear energy technology, in Washington D.C. on May 19 to examine cooperation opportunities for nuclear energy projects in Vietnam.