An IAEA team of experts has concluded an 11-day Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission to Vietnam to review its infrastructure development for the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project. In 2024, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam decided to restart the project, which had been cancelled in 2016, and the National Assembly of Vietnam authorised 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 2021-2030, which considers nuclear power as key for diversifying the national energy mix and strengthening energy security to meet Vietnam’s steadily rising energy demand and economic growth. 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 MWe.
The Phase 2 INIR was carried out at the invitation of the Government of Viet Nam and hosted by the Ministry of Science & Technology (MOST). The Vietnam Agency for Radiation & Nuclear Safety MOST, in collaboration with relevant industries and agencies took part in the discussions. The team reviewed the status of 19 nuclear infrastructure issues using the IAEA evaluation methodology for Phase 2 of the Milestones Approach. This evaluates the readiness of a country to invite bids or negotiate a contract for the first NPP.
The team, led by Eric Mathet, Operational Lead at the IAEA’s Nuclear Infrastructure Development Section, comprised of three experts from Brazil, Bulgaria and UK, 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.
“Viet Nam shows strong government commitment to reviving its nuclear power programme,” said Mathet. “The country is laying the groundwork for project delivery and is mobilising resources. The INIR mission will support the development of a comprehensive action plan for infrastructure development.”
The team also made recommendations and suggestions aimed at assisting Vietnam in making further progress in the development of its nuclear infrastructure and its readiness to build its first NPP.
The draft preliminary report provided 38 recommendations and 13 proposals. Areas where further actions would benefit Vietnam were identified, including: strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for the nuclear power programme; implementing plans to reinforce its 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.
“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,” said Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Science & Technology, Le Xuan Dinh.
The preliminary draft INIR report was delivered during the closing session of the mission by Aline Des Cloizeaux, Director, IAEA Division of Nuclear Power. “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 Vietnam will update their Integrated Workplan to continue providing coordinated support in line with the future development of the country’s nuclear power programme.
Vietnam previously hosted INIR missions in 2009, 2012 and 2014.
