French giants seek to join nuclear power, high-speed rail projects in Vietnam

Major French corporations on Wednesday proposed engaging in nuclear power and high-speed rail projects in Vietnam, as well as cooperating in aerospace development while meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Paris.

Bernard Fontana, chairman and CEO of EDF, a multinational energy group majority-owned by the French government, expressed the company’s desire to collaborate with Vietnamese partners in nuclear power, renewable energy, and other sectors such as telecommunications and artificial intelligence.

EDF affirmed its readiness to enhance Vietnam's capacity in its areas of expertise, including technology and human resource training.

PM Chinh welcomed EDF’s proposals and encouraged the firm to work with Vietnamese partners to implement joint initiatives.

Regarding Vietnam's nuclear power project in the south-central province of Ninh Thuan, he suggested that EDF hold detailed discussions with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and relevant partners to clarify issues related to technology, financing, and workforce training.

According to the PM, in late 2024, Vietnam restarted its Ninh Thuan nuclear power plan, with completion expected within five years. It includes two nuclear power plants: Ninh Thuan 1 in Thuan Nam district and Ninh Thuan 2 in Ninh Hai district. They will be invested by state-owned Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Petrovietnam, respectively.

The country will need around 4,000 personnel for the two nuclear plants by 2030. The first plant is expected to begin power generation by 2030, or by the end of 2031 at the latest, to support the country's socio-economic development, he added.

EDF is the world's leading operator of nuclear power, the top renewable energy producer in Europe, and the first CO2-free electricity producer globally.

In Vietnam, it built the 715 MW Phu My 2 thermal power plant – one of the country’s first BOT (build-operate-transfer) power projects, launched in 2005. In 2018, EDF partnered with Pacific Corporation (Vietnam), Sojitz and Kyushu (Japan) to participate in the 2,250 MW Son My 1 gas power plant project, scheduled to begin operation by 2030.

Meanwhile, Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom Group, told Prime Minister Chinh that Alstom wants to accelerate the construction of Hanoi Metro Line 3 – Phase 2, Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 2, and other new urban railway lines by 2035.

Alstom desires to engage in high-speed rail projects and is willing to share its technology and collaborate with Vietnamese companies to develop the national railway industry, he noted.

In response, the Vietnamese cabinet leader emphasized that cooperation with France is a vital part of Vietnam’s railway infrastructure development. He encouraged the group to work with the Ministry of Construction and related stakeholders to implement specific tasks.

Alstom, one of the world’s leading providers of transportation solutions, has prior experience with urban railway projects in Hanoi. Chinh called for faster and more efficient cooperation as well as technology transfer, concessional loans, and workforce training for Vietnam’s railway sector.

On the same day, the Prime Minister visited and worked with the French National Railway Company (SNCF).

SNCF is a state-owned enterprise and one of the world’s leading rail operators and managers, with over 80 years of experience. The French firm confirmed its readiness to assist Vietnam in developing its railway infrastructure, particularly in high-speed rail projects.

The PM also met with executives from Thales Group, a world’s leading tech firm in big data, AI, positioning technology, cybersecurity, and quantum technology. They proposed cooperation on telecommunications satellite projects, including the Vinasat 3 satellite.

Vietnam and France established diplomatic relations on April 12, 1973. They became Strategic Partners in 2013 and upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024.

France was the first EU country to achieve the highest level of diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Bilateral trade reached $5.42 billion in 2024, up nearly 13% from the previous year.