Vietnam Nuclear Power

Vietnam’s decision to make nuclear power a strategic national priority in 2025 creates immediate commercial opportunities for U.S. nuclear technology exporters. With a U.S.–Vietnam Section 123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement already in place, U.S. firms are uniquely positioned to supply advanced small modular reactors (SMRs), safety systems, and digital controls—technologies that Vietnam’s new legal framework explicitly supports.

Vietnam’s National Assembly passed a new Atomic Energy Law on June 27, 2025 (effective January 1, 2026), designating nuclear power as a national strategic priority and explicitly supporting new-generation reactors and SMRs while mandating an integrated digital platform for data management and project transparency. More importantly, the law harmonizes Vietnam’s regulations with International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) standards, establishing comprehensive licensing and oversight frameworks that align with international best practices.

This regulatory milestone, combined with the revised Power Development Plan 8 allocating 4-6.4GW of nuclear capacity by 2030-2035, establishes unprecedented signal of priority for international partners. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered the completion of two plants at Ninh Thuan Province, with Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and PetroVietnam designated as project investors using 2025 contingency funds for initial financing.

Vietnam’s electricity demand is projected to triple by 2050, driven by rapid industrialization and economic growth averaging 10% annually through 2030. The country’s manufacturing-dependent economy requires stable, cost-effective power to maintain competitiveness in global supply chains. Nuclear power offers the only viable large-scale, low-carbon baseload solution to meet these requirements while supporting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions commitment by 2050.

U.S. firms possess critical competitive advantages: the existing U.S.-Vietnam Section 123 civil nuclear cooperation agreement enables direct technology export, while U.S. companies lead SMR development with passive safety systems, digital controls, and modular assembly—technologies explicitly encouraged under Vietnam’s new law. Vietnam’s Atomic Energy Institute (VAEI), also known as VinAtom, is welcoming joint projects with IAEA and regional partners, with plans to expand nuclear technology cooperation with Korea, Japan, the U.S., and India in 2025. U.S. firms can leverage these institutional ties for joint development programs, training initiatives, and demonstration projects that establish long-term partnerships and market position. Vietnam’s emphasis on transparency and modern project management aligns with U.S. technological strengths in these areas.

U.S. nuclear technology companies should contact the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service offices in Vietnam for support to engage with Vietnamese partners OR Connect with your local U.S. Export Assistance Center in the United States to schedule an appointment for a consultation.

Please contact Nam Tran, Commercial Specialist (Ho Chi Minh City) at Nam.Tran@trade.gov, or Janice Tran, Commercial Specialist (Hanoi) at Bich.Tran@trade.gov for market entry guidance, partnership facilitation, and regulatory compliance support for nuclear technology exports to Vietnam.