After years of delay, Vietnam’s nuclear energy program is making a comeback. The country’s National Assembly approved the revival of its nuclear plans in November 2024. Now, Vietnam’s working with Russia’s Rosatom to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant.
The plant will have two VVER-1200 reactors. Together, they’ll produce 2,400 megawatts of electricity. That’s enough to power millions of homes. The site is located in Phuoc Dinh commune, in Ninh Thuan province. The design is based on the Leningrad NPP-2 units already operating in Russia.
Vietnam first started planning this project back in 2009. The original design called for smaller VVER-1000 reactors. That was updated to the more powerful VVER-1200 in 2014. Two villages were relocated to prepare for construction. But in 2016, Vietnam canceled the entire nuclear program because of economic concerns.
The project came back to life quickly after the 2024 approval. Vietnam’s Prime Minister reportedly set a 2030 completion target in February 2025. A feasibility study update was reportedly signed by PECC2 and Rosatom in September 2025. Then, in March 2026, both countries signed a formal intergovernmental agreement. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led the Vietnamese delegation to Moscow for the signing.
Vietnam’s energy needs are growing fast. Officials have suggested renewables alone can’t keep up with demand. The Ninh Thuan 1 plant is meant to strengthen energy security and help Vietnam reach its net-zero emissions goals. The original 2,000 MW plan was also reportedly expanded to 2,400 MW.
The two countries aren’t stopping at just one power plant. They’re also planning a Centre for Nuclear Science and Technology, known as CNEST. It would include a Russian research reactor. A feasibility study for that project is expected to finish sometime soon. In May, both sides reportedly signed a roadmap for developing Vietnam’s nuclear industry through 2030. This development reflects a broader global trend, as 22 countries pledged to triple nuclear capacity by 2050 at COP28, underscoring renewed international confidence in nuclear energy.
A second plant, Ninh Thuan 2, was also part of the original program. It’s located in Vinh Hai commune in Ninh Hai district. Vietnam has also expressed interest in joining a consortium to build and test the Multipurpose Fast Research Reactor, according to some reports. No construction timeline for that site has been announced yet.
References
- https://interestingengineering.com/energy/vietnam-russia-2400-mw-nuclear-plant
- https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2026/03/23/russia-vietnam-advance-plans-for-first-nuclear-power-plant-a92314
- https://www.industrialinfo.com/iirenergy/industry-news/article/vietnam-selects-russias-rosatom-for-revived-nuclear-project–355353
- https://www.world-nuclear-news.org/articles/vietnam-russia-intergovernmental-agreement-on-new-nuclear
- https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-t-z/vietnam
- https://www.nucnet.org/news/russia-and-vietnam-sign-agreement-to-build-ninh-thuan-1-nuclear-plant-3-1-2026
- https://www.khq.com/national/russia-vietnam-advance-plans-for-first-nuclear-power-plant/article_80e6bed7-7b6d-5591-9558-26808454cb49.html
- https://thediplomat.com/2026/03/vietnam-russia-sign-agreement-on-nuclear-power-plant-construction/
- https://russiaspivottoasia.com/russia-vietnam-sign-nuclear-power-plant-agreement/
