Vietnam 'basically completes' talks with Russia on Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power project

After rounds of talks, Vietnam has basically reached consensus with Russia on a full draft agreement governing cooperation to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in the south-central province of Khanh Hoa.

The information was disclosed at a meeting between permanent Government members and the standing board of the Government's Party Committee on Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 projects, chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, according to the government’s news portal.

Work on building the institutional framework has largely been completed, while some site clearance and workforce training have been carried out, among other tasks, heard the meeting.

The Politburo, Vietnam's highest decision-making body, has requested early implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power projects, both in Khanh Hoa province, and putting them into operation in the 2030-2035 period.

Under its Resolution 70, dated August 20, 2025, on ensuring national energy security until 2030, with a vision to 2045, the Politburo orders early execution of the projects with suitable partners, ensuring the highest interests of Vietnam while taking into account previous agreements.

The Ninh Thuan 1 plant will be located in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district, while Ninh Thuan 2 will be built in Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, both in the former Ninh Thuan province. Ninh Thuan in July was merged into Khanh Hoa province to form the new Khanh Hoa, home to the famous bays of Nha Trang and Cam Ranh.

At the Monday meeting, participants agreed on key contents of reports and proposals on the implementation of the projects for submission to competent authorities.

Chinh stressed that a nuclear power plant is a major, strategic project with a century-long horizon. This is also a new, high-tech and sensitive field, particularly when it comes to nuclear safety.

He instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade, together with relevant ministries, agencies and economic groups, to finalize draft reports and submissions of the Government's Party Committee on the projects.

The ministry was also tasked with submitting the draft agreement between Vietnam and Russia, along with proposals, for consideration by competent authorities.

He said the reports and submissions must clearly set out the projects’ implementation process, the status and results of negotiations, and the core elements of the draft agreement on the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power project that have been thoroughly discussed by both sides.

The reports should also address issues related to accelerating the rollout of the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant. All reports and draft documents must be completed within Monday.

Chairing a meeting of the steering committee for the Ninh Thuan nuclear power projects earlier this month, PM Chinh ordered relevant agencies to quickly complete negotiations with Russia on cooperation to invest in and build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, while proposing options to select a partner with advanced core technology for the Ninh Thuan 2 project.

So far, the PM has chaired three steering committee meetings and assigned state utility Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and state energy group Petrovietnam (PVN) to invest in and build Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2, respectively.