Vietnam is considering developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes based on modern, verified technology since 1995,[1] and firm proposals surfaced in 2006.
[3][4] In 2022 industry and trade minister Nguyen Hong Dien announced that developing nuclear power is an “inevitable trend” for Vietnam, and will help the country to become carbon neutral by 2050.
The 4 X 1000 MW Ninh Thuận 1 site[6] at Phuoc Dinh, will be built in collaboration with Russian State company - Atomstroyexport, and will set the stage for the foundation of Vietnam's first ever nuclear power plant unit (estimated completion - 2020).
It practically clinched the South Korean consortium as the preferred bidder; however, an official deal will only be signed after approval from the Vietnamese parliament.
In 1982 the Dalat research reactor reconstruction and expansion project began under the management of the VAEC with assistance from the Soviet Union and IAEA support.
A general law on nuclear energy was passed in mid 2008, and plans for developing a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework envisaged.
[16] In October 2010, Vietnam signed an inter-governmental agreement with Russia for the construction of the country's first nuclear power plant - Ninh Thuận 1 at Phuoc Dinh, using two VVER-1000 or 1200 reactors (increased later by two more units).
The Japanese consortium - International Nuclear Energy Development of Japan Co. Ltd. (JINED) will construct the 4 X 1000 MW Ninh Thuận 2 site.
[16][19] In March 2012,[8] it was announced that South Korea and Vietnam will start a one-year feasibility study for the construction of four Korean-developed APR-1400[9] nuclear reactors, additional to the NPP's signed with Russia and Japan.
[20] Vietnam is planning to send 2,000 workers and engineers to the Russian Federation and Japan for 2–3 years training in nuclear power construction, starting in 2013.