Assessment of Vietnam's readiness to bid for nuclear power projects

DNVN - To prepare for the implementation of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project and similar projects in the future in Vietnam, the Ministry of Science and Technology has coordinated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to successfully organize the National Nuclear Infrastructure Integration Assessment (INIR) in Hanoi, i.e. the level of readiness to invite bids, from December 1 to 11, 2025.

Tạp chí Doanh Nghiệp•01/12/2025

Thứ trưởng Bộ KH&CN Lê Xuân Định phát biểu khai mạc Đợt làm việc đánh giá tích hợp cơ sở hạ tầng điện hạt nhân ở Việt Nam.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh delivered the opening speech at the Working Group to assess the integration of nuclear power infrastructure in Vietnam.

This INIR delegation includes 7 IAEA experts, 3 international experts invited by IAEA from UK, Brazil, Bulgaria, along with 01 observer from Egypt. The Ministry of Science and Technology , with the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety as the focal point, is the presiding agency, coordinating with relevant ministries and branches of Vietnam to work with the IAEA delegation.

During the working program, the Delegation worked with representatives from many ministries, branches and units, including the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Public Security , Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, Ministry of Education and Training, Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), Vietnam National Energy - Industry Group (PVN), and Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee.

This important working session was carried out under the direction of the Prime Minister, Head of the Steering Committee for the construction of nuclear power plants. This time, the delegation focused on reviewing and evaluating objectively and comprehensively all 19 contents of the nuclear power infrastructure, compared to Milestone 2 (Ready to invite bids for the first project) according to the IAEA's guidance.

According to IAEA guidelines, nuclear power infrastructure includes 19 main contents, covering all activities and preparations from facilities, equipment, locations, auxiliary works, legal documents to economic and human resources to serve the nuclear power development program.

For a country that is just starting a nuclear power program like Vietnam, this development process must go through 3 stages marked by 3 corresponding milestones.

The respective phases and milestones are as follows: Phase 1 - Preparation for making a decision to launch a nuclear power program, marked by Milestone 1 - Readiness for making a decision in principle to implement the first nuclear power project; Phase 2 - Preparation for the construction of a nuclear power plant, marked by Milestone 2 - Readiness for inviting bids for the first project; Phase 3 - Construction and commissioning of the first nuclear power plant, marked by Milestone 3 - Readiness for commissioning of the first nuclear power plant.

In preparation for the working session, the Working Group on the Assessment of Vietnam's Nuclear Power Infrastructure completed the Self-Assessment Report and submitted it to the IAEA in October 2025.

In his opening speech at the Working Session on the morning of December 1, 2025, Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh highly appreciated the valuable and timely support of the IAEA, as well as the experience and companionship of experts, considering it a particularly important factor in helping Vietnam complete its nuclear power infrastructure according to international standards and IAEA guidelines. He affirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology, as the coordinating and leading agency for the development of nuclear power infrastructure, will promote development activities according to IAEA recommendations to meet the requirements of the first Nuclear Power Project in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Dinh also expressed his gratitude for the active and responsible coordination of ministries, branches, central and local agencies in preparing the Self-Assessment Report and the necessary conditions. He emphasized that the accompaniment of domestic agencies is an important factor to ensure the overall success of this working session.

On the IAEA side, Mr. Eric Mathet, Head of the Mission, said that this working session "marks an important milestone in Vietnam's journey towards establishing a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear power programme, taking into account its safeguards obligations". The IAEA also highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in preparing the Self-Assessment Report. The working group has carefully studied this report and encouraged open exchanges between the Vietnamese and INIR working groups to ensure the success of the working session.

Through the working session, the INIR delegation will develop a summary report to be sent to the Government of Vietnam. This report will point out the tasks that have been achieved, the areas that still need to be improved, and at the same time make important recommendations. The goal is to support Vietnam in developing a Master Plan for the development of nuclear power infrastructure, contributing to the implementation of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project to ensure progress, efficiency, safety, security, and meeting IAEA and international standards.

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