Comprehensive assessment of nuclear power infrastructure in Vietnam

From December 1 to 11, 2025, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), with the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety as the focal point, presided over and coordinated with relevant ministries and branches of Vietnam to work with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) working group to comprehensively assess the national nuclear power infrastructure (Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review Mission - INIR Mission).

This is an important activity in the preparation roadmap for the implementation of the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project and similar projects in the future.

The INIR delegation includes 7 IAEA experts, 3 international experts invited by the IAEA from the UK, Brazil, Bulgaria and 01 observer from Egypt. The delegation will work with representatives of relevant ministries, sectors and units of Vietnam, 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 (EVN), Vietnam National Energy Industry Group (PVN), Khanh Hoa Provincial People's Committee.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh delivered the opening speech at the working session.

In his opening speech at the Working Session held on the morning of December 1, 2025, Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh highly appreciated the timely support of the IAEA as well as the experience and companionship of experts, which are of special importance to Vietnam in the process of completing the nuclear power infrastructure according to international standards and IAEA guidelines.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Science and Technology, as the coordinating and leading agency for nuclear power infrastructure development, will promote nuclear power infrastructure development activities according to the recommendations of the IAEA to meet the requirements of the first nuclear power project in Vietnam. At the same time, the Ministry of Science and Technology will continue to support and advocate cooperation activities between Vietnam and the IAEA in developing applications of atomic energy for peaceful purposes in Vietnam.

Deputy Minister Le Xuan Dinh sincerely thanked the active and responsible coordination of ministries, branches, central and local agencies in the process of preparing the Self-Assessment Report and the necessary conditions for the INIR Working Group. The support of domestic agencies is an important factor to ensure the overall success of this Working Group.

Vietnamese delegates and IAEA experts attended the Working Session.

On the IAEA side, Mr. Eric Mathet, Head of the delegation, said: "This delegation marks an important milestone in Vietnam's journey towards establishing a safe, secure and sustainable nuclear power program, taking into account its safety obligations."

The IAEA highly appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in preparing the Self-Assessment Report for this mission. The working group, consisting of experts with extensive experience in the fields of nuclear power infrastructure, carefully studied Vietnam’s Self-Assessment Report and maintained regular contact with the Vietnamese focal point in reviewing and evaluating the report.

The IAEA also encourages open communication between the Vietnamese and INIR working groups to ensure the success of the Working Session.

Mr. Eric Mathet, Head of the IAEA Mission, spoke at the Opening Session of the Working Session.

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

For a country that has just started its first nuclear power program like Vietnam, the infrastructure development process must go through 3 stages marked by 3 corresponding milestones. The stages and corresponding milestones are as follows:

Phase 1 - Preparation for the decision to launch a nuclear power program, marked by Milestone 1 - Readiness to make a policy decision to launch the first nuclear power project.

Phase 2 - Preparation for the construction of the nuclear power plant, marked by Milestone 2 - Ready to invite tenders for the first project.

Phase 3 - Construction and commissioning of the first nuclear power plant, marked by Milestone 3 - Readiness to commission the first nuclear power plant.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh spoke at the working session.

This INIR mission focused on reviewing and evaluating objectively and comprehensively all 19 nuclear power infrastructure contents compared to Milestone 2 according to IAEA guidelines.

In preparation for the Working Group, the Working Group on assessing Vietnam's nuclear power infrastructure established by the Ministry of Science and Technology has completed the Self-Assessment Report and sent it to the IAEA in October 2025.

Ms. Tran Bich Ngoc, Deputy Director of the Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, National Coordinator of Vietnam at the IAEA, presented on the situation of nuclear power development in Vietnam.

Through the working session, the INIR delegation will have a summary report sent to the Vietnamese Government, which will point out the tasks that have been achieved, the areas that need to be further improved, and at the same time give important recommendations to support Vietnam in building 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.

Department of Radiation and Nuclear Safety, Center for Science and Technology Communication

Source: https://mst.gov.vn/danh-gia-toan-dien-co-so-ha-tang-dien-hat-nhan-o-viet-nam-197251201155424144.htm