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:

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.

Bahrain has concluded a civil nuclear agreement with the United States and formalised a commitment of $17bn in public investments in the US market, further strengthening bilateral cooperation.
Kairos Power has installed the vessel for its third test prototype in Oak Ridge, aiming to validate manufacturing methods for its future Hermes reactor supported by the US Department of Energy.
London and Prague formalise a strategic partnership to develop the nuclear sector, focusing on small modular reactors and industrial cooperation on supply chains.
Experts have broadly approved France’s Cigéo deep nuclear waste repository project, highlighting technical uncertainties that demand stronger guarantees for long-term safety.
Uzbekistan advances its nuclear project by signing a protocol with Hungary for the supply and local assembly of dry cooling systems, expanding its industrial partnerships in the region.
Polskie Elektrownie Jądrowe is asking the European Commission to review its $49bn investment to build Poland’s first nuclear power plant, a step required under the Euratom Treaty before any construction permit can be issued.
The International Atomic Energy Agency mission completed on July 11 warns that the National Nuclear Safety Administration must hire staff to oversee a fleet of 59 reactors in operation and 32 more under construction.
Energoatom signed strategic agreements with Westinghouse and Holtec at the Ukraine Recovery Conference, aiming to establish nuclear fuel production and small modular reactor capabilities in the country.
Tehran agrees to reopen its nuclear facilities to the IAEA, aiming to resume negotiations with Washington, while Moscow pushes for a “zero enrichment” agreement without getting involved in supervision.
TerraPower has selected three new American suppliers for its advanced Natrium nuclear reactor, confirming progress on the project located in Kemmerer, Wyoming, intended to replace a retiring coal-fired power plant.
Energy Exploration Technologies acquires Daytona Lithium, an Australian subsidiary of Pantera Lithium, for AUD40mn ($27mn), bringing its strategic lithium basin footprint in Smackover, USA to nearly 50,000 acres.
The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has identified no major barriers to licensing the ARC-100 reactor, announces ARC Clean Technology.
SE Ignalina, the Lithuanian nuclear operator, has signed a memorandum of understanding with French firm Newcleo to explore the integration of small modular reactors (SMRs) using lead-cooled fast reactor (LFR) technology in Lithuania.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi oversaw the signing of new agreements for the construction of the El Dabaa nuclear power plant, thus strengthening the strategic cooperation between Egypt and Russia.
Vistra Corp receives green light to extend Perry nuclear plant operations in Ohio by 20 years, securing regional electricity supply until 2046 and ensuring operational continuity for all its nuclear reactors in the United States.
EDF will hold a 12.5% stake in the Sizewell C nuclear project in the UK, a €1.3 billion investment announced during Emmanuel Macron’s official visit to London, confirming the strategic nuclear energy alignment between the two countries.
The French Cigéo project, designed to bury the most hazardous radioactive waste deep underground, obtains a crucial technical validation before its final authorization, expected by the end of 2027.
EDF confirms the continuation of its industrial project in Fessenheim for recycling very low-level radioactive metals, a first in France requiring specific regulatory authorizations, following a public debate concluded last February.
NANO Nuclear Energy Inc. formalizes its collaboration with UrAmerica Ltd. to strengthen Argentina’s uranium supply, aiming to secure future nuclear fuel supply chains for the U.S. market.
American companies SHINE Technologies and Standard Nuclear partner to recycle uranium and plutonium, supplying advanced fuel to the nuclear reactor sector and enhancing the national energy security of the United States.