Russia and Vietnam have signed an intergovernmental agreement to construct the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, a move aimed at expanding Vietnam’s energy capacity as demand continues to rise.
The agreement was signed in Moscow during an official visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin present at the ceremony. Russia’s state-owned nuclear energy corporation Rosatom said the deal establishes the legal framework for building the plant and outlines long-term cooperation between the two countries.
The project will involve the construction of two Russian-designed VVER-1200 nuclear reactors with a combined capacity of 2,400 megawatts. The design is based on modern reactor systems currently in operation in Russia and abroad, and is expected to serve as the foundation for long-term nuclear collaboration.
Rosatom CEO Alexey Likhachev framed the agreement as more than a standard infrastructure project, saying it represents “the foundation for a long-term industrial partnership that will strengthen Vietnam’s energy independence and open up new opportunities for economic growth,” according to the company’s official statement.
Vietnam has faced increasing pressure on its power grid in recent years, with electricity demand driven by its large industrial base and growing middle class often outpacing supply. The country has also experienced periodic blackouts, exacerbated by extreme weather events such as droughts and typhoons, Reuters reported.
The nuclear project forms part of Vietnam’s broader strategy to expand its power generation capacity and stabilize long-term energy supply. The country resumed its nuclear energy program in 2024 after previously suspending it in 2016 due to safety concerns and budget constraints.
Work on nuclear plants in central Vietnam originally began in the early 2010s, but the program was halted before construction could advance. Following its restart, Vietnam revisited partnerships with both Russia and Japan, though Tokyo later withdrew from plans to build a plant in the country, leaving Russia as a primary partner in the Ninh Thuan 1 project.
The agreement builds on a long-standing relationship between Russia and Vietnam that extends beyond energy. In addition to the nuclear plant, the two countries are collaborating on a planned Center for Nuclear Science and Technology, which will include a Russian-designed research reactor, as outlined by Rosatom.
Cooperation also includes nuclear fuel supply, medical isotope production, and other technology and logistics initiatives, reflecting a broader strategic partnership between the two countries.
While the agreement establishes the legal and strategic framework for the project, key details including total investment, financing structure, and construction timelines have not been disclosed. The development nonetheless signals a renewed commitment by Vietnam to nuclear energy as part of its long-term economic and energy planning.
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