Vietnam Pushes for Nuclear Power: Legal Framework and Workforce Development Crucial

Vietnam is accelerating its plans to introduce nuclear power, viewing it as crucial for stabilizing its energy supply and reducing carbon emissions as it aims to transition from a developing to a high-income country by 2045. Following the National Assembly's re-endorsement of the Ninh Thuan nuclear power plant project at the end of 2024, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh highlighted the necessity of completing legal frameworks, training specialized personnel, and establishing an industrial support system for the program's advancement. Dinh emphasized that nuclear power is a stable energy source with high capacity factors and low carbon emissions, capable of supporting the grid as renewable energy penetration increases. However, he noted that nuclear power is not merely an energy project but a national, long-term program requiring high standards in security, human resources, management, infrastructure, and finance. Therefore, cautious and transparent preparation, adhering to international standards, is essential. The immediate priority, according to Dinh, is to finalize legal regulations, technical standards, and quy chuẩn (technical codes) covering the entire lifecycle of nuclear power plants. It is also necessary to establish a national management agency equipped with sufficient expertise and resources to clearly define the authority and responsibilities of each agency. Furthermore, a workforce development plan for nuclear power through 2035 aims to meet the demand for 4,000 personnel by 2030 for the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, with over 2,000 requiring university or postgraduate degrees. Representatives from the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) expressed optimism, stating that nuclear power projects can generate ripple effects far beyond typical energy projects, creating demand in construction, transportation, logistics, and local employment. They believe that local employment offers practical value to the community and contributes to long-term project stability. In early 2025, the government appointed the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) as the lead developer for Ninh Thuan 1 and PVN for Ninh Thuan 2, each with two reactor units. These plants are slated for construction in the Ninh Thuan region, now part of Khanh Hoa province. Khanh Hoa province has established a special working group to address challenges in land acquisition and community consensus. As of early 2026, compensation and resettlement for Ninh Thuan 2 are largely complete, while Ninh Thuan 1 requires land ownership verification for approximately 783 cases. Khanh Hoa is expediting the resolution of complex cases and the construction of resettlement areas. Khanh Hoa has proposed that the central government establish financial and budgetary mechanisms to support reinvestment in the region hosting the nuclear power plants. They also advocate for synchronized investment in shared infrastructure, including transportation, ports, water supply, power transmission, digital infrastructure, and healthcare. Clear delineation of responsibilities among the central government, local authorities, and developers is also sought. Additionally, the province suggests developing a national program for training nuclear personnel, supply chains, and supporting industries from the project's preparatory stages, aiming to become a hub for energy and atomic energy training, research, and technical support. Ngo Dong Hai, Deputy Head of the Central Propaganda and Training Commission, concluded that nuclear power plays a vital role in ensuring energy security, stabilizing the power system, and achieving the net-zero emission commitment by 2050. He stressed the importance of adopting modern technology, learning from international experience, and building a safety culture, with effective coordination among state management agencies, local authorities, and developers like EVN and PVN forming the foundation for timely and safe project implementation. Source: VnExpress