Viet Nam has taken important steps toward adding nuclear power to its energy mix, including developing the necessary infrastructure for a safe and sustainable nuclear power program, an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review mission found. An IAEA team of experts concluded an 11-day mission to Viet Nam to review its infrastructure development for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, which had been stopped in 2016. In 2024, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam decided to restart the project, and the National Assembly authorized the government to allocate the necessary resources for its implementation.
The establishment of nuclear power is an objective of the Revised National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, which considers nuclear power key for diversifying the national energy mix and strengthening energy security amid Viet Nam’s steadily rising energy demand and economic growth in recent years. The plan envisages the commissioning of two nuclear power plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2, during the 2030–2035 period, with a total capacity of 4,000–6,400 MW.
The Phase 2 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review was carried out from 1 to 11 December 2025, at the invitation of the Government of Viet Nam and hosted by the Ministry of Science and Technology. The team reviewed the status of 19 nuclear infrastructure issues using the IAEA evaluation methodology for Phase 2 of the Milestones Approach, which evaluates the readiness of a country to invite bids or negotiate a contract for the first nuclear power plant. The team comprised three experts from Brazil, Bulgaria, and the United Kingdom, as well as seven IAEA staff.
The team identified good practices in government-enabling mechanisms for financing and procurement, as well as in leveraging existing expertise in environmental monitoring for nuclear projects, which could benefit other countries developing nuclear power. Eric Mathet, mission team leader and Operational Lead of the IAEA Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section, said Viet Nam shows strong government commitment to reviving its nuclear power program.
“The country is laying the groundwork for project delivery and is mobilizing resources. The INIR mission will support the development of a comprehensive action plan for infrastructure development,” Mathet said.
The team also made recommendations and suggestions aimed at assisting Viet Nam in making further progress in the development of its nuclear infrastructure and its readiness to build the first nuclear power plant in the country. The team highlighted areas where further actions would benefit Viet Nam, including strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for the nuclear power program, implementing plans to reinforce human resource capacities across all areas, completing the preparatory work required for the contracting and construction stages, consolidating national strategies for the nuclear fuel cycle and radioactive waste management, and increasing the effectiveness of coordination mechanisms among all stakeholders.
Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Vietnam Le Xuan Dinh said the valuable and timely support of the IAEA is highly appreciated, as well as the experience and companionship of experts, which are of special importance to Vietnam in the process of completing the nuclear power infrastructure according to international standards and IAEA guidelines. Aline Des Cloizeaux, Director of the IAEA Division of Nuclear Power, delivered the preliminary draft INIR report during the closing session in Hanoi.
“The team concluded that Viet Nam has taken major steps to restart and accelerate the implementation of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project and the development of the required infrastructure. In 2025, Viet Nam enacted a new Atomic Energy Law and adopted special mechanisms to facilitate financial and contractual arrangements for the nuclear power plants,” she said.
Based on the outcomes of the INIR mission, the IAEA and Viet Nam will update their Integrated Workplan to continue providing coordinated support in line with the future development of the country’s nuclear power program.
