IAEA reviews Vietnam’s readiness to build 6,400 MW of nuclear capacity

The government must now strengthen regulatory frameworks to prepare for plant construction.

Vietnam has implemented measures to expand its nuclear power capacity, according to an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) review mission.

In its review, IAEA said these measures include developing the needed infrastructure for the safe and sustainable nuclear power programme.

The establishment of nuclear power is an objective of the Revised National Power Development Plan for the period 2021-2030, which considers nuclear power as key for diversifying the national energy mix and strengthening energy security amidst Vietnam’s steadily rising energy demand and economic growth in recent years.  

The plan envisages the commissioning of two nuclear power plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2, during the 2030 to 2035 period, with a total capacity of 4,000 megawatts (MW) to 6,400 MW.

The IAEA review is part of the Phase 2 Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review carried out from 1 to 11 December 2025. The team reviewed the status of 19 nuclear infrastructure issues using the IAEA evaluation methodology for Phase 2 of the Milestones Approach, which evaluates the readiness of a country to invite bids or negotiate a contract for the first nuclear power plant.

The team identified good practices in government-enabling mechanisms for financing and procurement, as well as in leveraging existing expertise in environmental monitoring for nuclear projects, which could benefit other countries developing nuclear power.

The experts also made recommendations and suggestions aimed at assisting Vietnam in making further progress in the development of its nuclear infrastructure and its readiness to build the first nuclear power plant in the country.

IAEA experts also laid out areas where further actions are needed, including strengthening the legal and regulatory framework for the nuclear power programme, implementing plans to reinforce its human resource capacities across all areas, and completing the preparatory work required for the contracting and construction stages.