Russia, Vietnam Sign Deal for Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Plant with 2,400 MW Capacity

Hanoi/Moscow: Russia and Vietnam sign an intergovernmental agreement to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, marking a major step in Hanoi’s revived push for nuclear energy and long-term energy security.

The agreement, signed on March 23, brings together Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom and the Vietnamese government to construct the country’s first commercial nuclear facility. The signing takes place in Moscow in the presence of senior officials from both sides, including Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev and Vietnamese minister Tran Van Son.

The project will feature two Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors with a combined capacity of about 2,400 megawatts, positioning the plant as a cornerstone of Vietnam’s future energy mix. The reactors are part of Russia’s latest generation of pressurized water reactor technology, widely deployed in both domestic and international projects.

The deal revives a long-delayed plan first agreed in 2010, when Russia was initially awarded the Ninh Thuan 1 project. Vietnam shelved its nuclear ambitions in 2016 following the Fukushima nuclear disaster, citing safety concerns, rising costs and shifting economic priorities.

Vietnam restarts its nuclear program in 2024 amid surging electricity demand, rapid industrial growth and pressure to reduce reliance on coal. Officials frame the renewed push as essential to ensuring stable baseload power while advancing climate commitments.

The latest agreement follows a series of preparatory steps, including updated feasibility studies and a 2025 memorandum of understanding between Rosatom and Vietnamese partners. Momentum accelerates after Japan exits plans for a separate nuclear project at Ninh Thuan 2, clearing the path for deeper Russian involvement.

Under the agreement, Russia will not only supply reactor technology but also support fuel provision, personnel training and the development of nuclear infrastructure, including a research center. The project reflects deepening strategic ties between Moscow and Hanoi in the energy sector.

Construction timelines are expected to unfold over the next decade, with the first units targeted for operation in the 2030s. Once completed, the plant is expected to play a critical role in stabilizing Vietnam’s power supply and diversifying its energy portfolio.