IAEA Delivers Key Nuclear Readiness Report to Viet Nam: Major Step Toward First Power Plant

Viet Nam has taken a significant step toward launching its long-awaited nuclear power programme, as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) formally handed over a comprehensive peer review report assessing the country's preparedness to develop its first nuclear power plant.

The report, delivered on 22 April 2026, follows a high-level Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) mission conducted in December 2025, and provides a detailed roadmap for building a safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear energy programme aligned with global standards.

"This marks a concrete step forward in Viet Nam's long nuclear journey," said Mikhail Chudakov, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of Nuclear Energy.

A Programme Decades in the Making

Viet Nam's nuclear ambitions date back to the 1980s, but the programme has seen multiple reversals—approved, paused, cancelled, and now revived. The latest momentum came in 2024, when the Communist Party's Central Committee endorsed restarting the Ninh Thuan Nuclear Power Project, previously suspended in 2016.

The National Assembly subsequently approved resource allocation, signalling a renewed national commitment to nuclear energy as part of Viet Nam's long-term energy strategy.

Assessing Readiness for the Next Phase

The INIR mission evaluated Viet Nam's progress across 19 critical infrastructure areas, using the IAEA's Milestones Approach – Phase 2, which determines whether a country is ready to:

• Invite bids for nuclear power development

• Negotiate contracts for its first plant

The findings indicate that Viet Nam has made substantial progress, particularly in:

• Establishing enabling policies and legal frameworks

• Advancing financing and procurement mechanisms

• Leveraging existing expertise in environmental monitoring

These developments position the country closer to entering the next stage of nuclear project implementation.

Key Reforms Strengthen the Framework

A major milestone highlighted in the report is the enactment of a new Atomic Energy Law in 2025, alongside special mechanisms designed to facilitate:

• Financial structuring of nuclear projects

• Contractual arrangements with international partners

The IAEA also identified good practices in Viet Nam's approach—particularly in government coordination and environmental readiness—that could serve as models for other countries pursuing nuclear power.

Critical Gaps and Next Steps Identified

Despite the progress, the report outlines several areas requiring further development before Viet Nam can proceed confidently to construction. These include:

• Strengthening regulatory independence

• Clarifying frameworks for nuclear liability

• Enhancing contracting and construction readiness

• Aligning management systems with IAEA standards

• Expanding human resource capacity and technical expertise

• Improving stakeholder engagement and public communication

• Developing long-term strategies for fuel supply and radioactive waste management

Experts say addressing these areas will be essential to ensuring the programme meets international safety and governance benchmarks.

A Roadmap for Action, Not Just Assessment

Vietnamese officials welcomed the report as a critical tool for guiding the next phase of development.

"The report provides a solid foundation for identifying gaps and defining our next steps," said Minister for Science and Technology Vu Hai Quan. "It will help ensure our programme meets international standards for safety, security, and sustainability."

Chudakov emphasised that the report is not an endpoint, but the beginning of a more intensive implementation phase.

"This is a working document—a foundation for the action plan that comes next," he said.

Aligning Future Support and Partnerships

Following the report, Viet Nam and the IAEA will update their Integrated Workplan, aligning international support with the country's evolving priorities.

This collaboration is expected to include:

• Technical assistance and capacity building

• Regulatory and safety system development

• Workforce training and knowledge transfer

Global Context: Nuclear Energy's Resurgence

Viet Nam's renewed nuclear push comes amid a broader global shift back toward nuclear energy, driven by:

• Rising electricity demand

• Climate commitments and the need for low-carbon energy

• Energy security concerns

For emerging economies, nuclear power is increasingly viewed as a reliable baseload energy source that complements renewable energy systems.

Part of a Longstanding Partnership

This is not Viet Nam's first engagement with the IAEA on nuclear readiness. The country previously hosted INIR missions in 2009, 2012, and 2014, reflecting a long-term commitment to building nuclear capability.

The latest review builds on those earlier efforts, offering updated guidance tailored to current conditions and ambitions.

A Defining Phase Ahead

With the report now in hand, Viet Nam enters a critical phase—translating technical recommendations into concrete action.

If successfully implemented, the programme could:

• Diversify the national energy mix

• Support industrial growth

• Contribute to emissions reduction targets

However, experts caution that nuclear development requires sustained political commitment, strong governance, and public trust.

As Viet Nam moves forward, the IAEA's roadmap will play a central role in shaping one of the country's most complex and consequential infrastructure projects.