Vietnam and Russia Strengthen Their Nuclear Alliance

Vietnam revives its nuclear power plant project with Russia's support, consolidating a strategic alliance to meet soaring energy demands.

Share:

Gain full professional access to energynews.pro from 4.90$/month.
Designed for decision-makers, with no long-term commitment.

Over 30,000 articles published since 2021.
150 new market analyses every week to decode global energy trends.

Monthly Digital PRO PASS

Immediate Access
4.90$/month*

No commitment – cancel anytime, activation in 2 minutes.

*Special launch offer: 1st month at the indicated price, then 14.90 $/month, no long-term commitment.

Annual Digital PRO Pass

Full Annual Access
99$/year*

To access all of energynews.pro without any limits

*Introductory annual price for year one, automatically renewed at 149.00 $/year from the second year.

Vietnam has signed a strategic agreement with Russia to develop its nuclear sector during an official ceremony in Hanoi, attended by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. This agreement marks a significant step in reinforcing bilateral relations between these two long-standing allies.

Seven cooperation protocols were signed, covering new technologies, research, and atomic energy. While details of the agreement have not been disclosed, this initiative reflects Vietnam’s goal to diversify its energy sources to meet increasing demand. The country, home to nearly 100 million people, currently relies heavily on coal and oil but is seeking to reduce its dependence on these fossil fuels.

A project revived after years of suspension

Vietnam’s nuclear program, initiated in 2009 with the help of Rosatom and the Japanese consortium JINED, was suspended in 2016 due to financial and environmental concerns. However, Vietnamese authorities have recently revisited this project, targeting Ninh Thuan Province as the site for the country’s first two nuclear power plants.

Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom, expressed being “very interested” in this program. This revival aligns with a broader strategy to modernize Vietnam’s energy infrastructure while adhering to stricter environmental standards.

A partnership rooted in history

Russia and Vietnam share strong historical ties stemming from Soviet military support during the Vietnam War. Today, this alliance extends into other areas, including defense and security. During his visit, Mikhail Mishustin met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and To Lam, Secretary-General of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), underscoring the importance of these strategic ties.

Despite a decline in Russian arms exports to Vietnam in recent years, the two countries maintain close relations, particularly given tensions in the South China Sea.

An energy and geopolitical challenge

Vietnam’s nuclear project represents a crucial issue in the context of the global energy transition. It is also part of a geopolitical strategy aimed at strengthening the country’s energy autonomy while balancing relations with regional partners like China.

The revival of Vietnam’s nuclear program, with Russia’s support, may pose new challenges, particularly in terms of financing and environmental compliance. However, this strategic partnership demonstrates both nations’ determination to adapt to the energy and geopolitical challenges of the 21st century.

Slovenia’s JEK2 project moves forward with two nuclear technologies judged technically compatible, estimated between EUR9.31bn ($10.1bn) and EUR15.37bn ($16.66bn).
US-based Oklo will build the country’s first privately funded nuclear fuel recycling centre in Oak Ridge, investing $1.7bn and creating over 800 jobs.
The Tennessee Valley Authority partners with ENTRA1 Energy to develop up to 6 gigawatts of modular nuclear capacity, in an unprecedented project supporting energy growth across seven U.S. states.
A report by the International Atomic Energy Agency puts Iran’s 60% enriched uranium at 440.9 kg before Israeli and U.S. strikes, while the agency’s access to enrichment sites has remained suspended since the operations.
US-based Westinghouse has signed six industrial agreements in the UK to supply critical components for its AP1000 and AP300 nuclear projects in Britain and abroad.
NANO Nuclear Energy receives direct funding from the US Air Force innovation branch to assess the integration of its KRONOS MMR™ microreactor at the Washington D.C. military base.
EDF extends the operation of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool by one year after favourable safety inspections, ensuring continuity of nuclear production and safeguarding more than 1,000 jobs.
Russian nuclear group Rosatom has confirmed advanced discussions with India and Turkey to launch new power plants, including advanced and floating reactor technologies.
The International Atomic Energy Agency has identified uranium particles of industrial origin in samples taken from a Syrian site suspected of hosting an undeclared nuclear reactor.
Norwegian authorities begin the first regulatory phase for two modular nuclear reactor projects, marking a strategic step in the national review of the potential role of nuclear energy in the country’s power mix.
With eleven reactors under construction and major projects such as Jaitapur, India is preparing a nuclear build-up that could place it among the world’s five leading nations in the sector.
France and Germany have validated a joint energy roadmap, including a commitment to the non-discrimination of nuclear energy in European financing.
Russia and Iran seek to strengthen their nuclear cooperation as the E3 activates the sanctions mechanism against Tehran, reigniting tensions over compliance with the 2015 Vienna agreement.
US-based Natura Resources has secured strategic funding and key permits for its MSR-1 nuclear reactor, backed by public funds and enriched fuel allocation from the Department of Energy.
The United States and South Korea have agreed to initiate discussions on reprocessing spent nuclear fuel, marking a potential strategic shift in the long-standing bilateral agreement.
The United States Nuclear Regulatory Commission has granted a 40-year extension for the AP1000 reactor design certification, supporting its long-term construction domestically and deployment abroad.
Nano Nuclear Energy has signed a memorandum of understanding with Dioxitek, Argentina’s only uranium supplier for nuclear fuel, to assess the development of local conversion and enrichment capacities.
Stockholm plans to restart uranium extraction by lifting the 2018 ban, aiming to secure strategic supply chains and support domestic nuclear electricity production.
The French Atomic Energy Commission has signed a letter of intent with start-up Calogena to study the installation of a 30 MW thermal small nuclear reactor at its Cadarache site.
A Guidehouse Research report anticipates strong growth in the global nuclear modular reactor market, with revenues rising from $375.8 million in 2025 to $8.1 billion in 2034.

Log in to read this article

You'll also have access to a selection of our best content.