Vietnam aims to finalize negotiations for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant by August

The Vietnamese government targets completing negotiations for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in former Ninh Thuan province (now Khanh Hoa) by August 2025, and for Ninh Thuan 2 by May 2026 at the latest.

The Ninh Thuan nuclear power project was revived in late 2024 with completion targeted within five years. It includes two plants: Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2. State-owned giants Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Petrovietnam have been named as the respective investors.

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son has directed the Ministry of Industry and Trade to actively coordinate with relevant ministries, agencies, EVN, and Petrovietnam to accelerate negotiations on intergovernmental agreements for the two nuclear power plants.

EVN and Petrovietnam have been tasked with finalizing pre-feasibility studies for the two projects to seek official approval for revised investment plans. The study for Ninh Thuan 1 must be completed by September 2025, and for Ninh Thuan 2 no later than June 2026.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade has been required to work with the Ministry of Justice, the People’s Committee of Khanh Hoa province, and related agencies to review any additional legal or procedural adjustments, aside from the proposed name changes noted in the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 189/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 on special mechanisms and policies for nuclear power development.

When necessary, the ministry must report to the Prime Minister for submission to higher authorities, ensuring alignment with the legislature’s Resolution No. 190/2025/QH15 on streamlining state apparatus organization, he noted.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has been instructed to urgently review relevant legal frameworks and the latest IAEA safety guidelines, and revise its Circular No. 13/2009/TT-BKHCN if needed. This is to ensure consistent regulations on safety distances from residential areas, with the updated guidance due by August 2025 for implementation by Khanh Hoa province.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is to lead a legal review - together with the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Khanh Hoa People's Committee - on the repeal of the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1504/QD-TTg dated August 28, 2013 regarding compensation and resettlement policies for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. A final report must be submitted to the Prime Minister before July 30, 2025.

The Ministry of Finance, in coordination with Khanh Hoa authorities, has been assigned to assess total funding needs for land clearance and resettlement and propose central budget support. They must submit a report to the PM by August 10, 2025.

Khanh Hoa province has been ordered to strictly implement all regulations and guidance from competent authorities to ensure maximum public safety. The province must expedite compensation, resettlement, and land clearance to hand over clean sites to investors by end of 2025, as directed by the Prime Minister.

Authorities must also ensure strong oversight to prevent corruption and waste, and guarantee that resettled residents enjoy living conditions equal to or better than their previous homes.

EVN and Petrovietnam are also required to coordinate closely with local authorities to ensure smooth relocation and land clearance efforts for both plants, and to stabilize livelihoods for relocated communities so that local economic activities and residents’ living conditions remain unaffected.