Russian group TVEL, the fuel division of state-owned Rosatom, has delivered a new batch of nuclear fuel to Vietnam for the Da Lat research reactor, which has been in operation since 1984 and was designed by Russia. This delivery, the first since 2010, symbolises the resumption of a technical and commercial cooperation that had been suspended for 15 years between the two countries. The reactor, built on the site of the former US-supplied TRIGA Mark-2 model, is a cornerstone of Vietnam’s nuclear research programme.
Used for the production of radioactive isotopes, the reactor supplies 23 hospitals weekly and enables around 500,000 medical treatments and diagnostics annually. In addition to its medical applications, it serves as a crucial platform for scientific research and the training of nuclear professionals.
A strategic roadmap through 2030
This delivery is part of the intergovernmental roadmap signed in May 2025 by Vietnam and Russia to jointly develop their nuclear capabilities by 2030. The agreement includes the construction of a Nuclear Science and Technology Centre, Vietnam’s participation in the International Research Centre based on the MBIR (Multi-purpose Fast Research Reactor), and the training of local personnel in nuclear professions.
At the same time, the Vietnamese government has tasked two state-owned groups with reviving nuclear power plant projects that had been suspended since 2016. The Ninh Thuan project, originally approved in 2009, is now at the centre of this industrial revival, with the aim of meeting the country’s growing energy demand while strengthening technological cooperation with Russia.
A long-term industrial partnership
In September, Rosatom and Power Engineering Consulting Joint Stock Company 2 signed a memorandum of understanding to update the technical studies for the Ninh Thuan-1 project. The agreement includes revising the feasibility study, site characterisation, and a broader cooperation programme covering infrastructure development and personnel training.
Rosatom is proposing the deployment of two VVER-1200 reactors, third-generation units known for their performance and reliability. According to the Russian company, the implementation of this project could lay the foundation for a long-term industrial and technological partnership between Moscow and Hanoi, consolidating Vietnam’s position in the civil nuclear development landscape in Southeast Asia.
