On March 23, during the official visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Jung to Moscow, an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the construction of Vietnam's Ninh Shun No. 1 nuclear power plant was officially signed. The document was signed by Alexei Likhachev, President of the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), and Chen Wensong, Director of the General Office and Minister of the Vietnamese Government. Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin and Prime Minister Fan Mingzheng attended the signing ceremony.
The agreement defines the terms of the nuclear power project and key areas of cooperation. It is planned to build two Russian-designed VVER-1200 reactors with a total installed capacity of 2400 MW. The project is based on the Leningrad Nuclear Power Plant Phase II (Units 1 and 2). The document establishes the legal framework for construction and will guide Russia-Vietnam cooperation in the nuclear field in the coming decades.
"For us, this is not just an agreement to build two nuclear power plants. We see this as the basis for a long-term industrial partnership that will enhance Vietnam's energy independence and open up new opportunities for economic growth," Mr Likhachev said.
The Russian State Atomic Energy Company has mature technology for the construction of large nuclear power plants and small modular reactors. The successful operation of Russian VVER-1200 reactors, both inside and outside Russia, confirms the highest standards of safety and efficiency. Nuclear power plants with VVER-1200 reactors meet the most stringent international requirements and form the core of Rosatom's export portfolio.
Russia and Vietnam have a long history of successful cooperation in various fields, and nuclear energy occupies a special place in this partnership. In addition to the flagship project, the Ninh Thun No. 1 nuclear power plant, the two sides are continuing to advance projects to build a "nuclear science and technology center" (CNST) in Vietnam, including the construction of a Russian-designed research reactor. The feasibility study report of the center will be completed in April, after which the two sides will start negotiations on the construction contract of the center.
Another long-term cooperation result is the successful operation of the Dalat Research Reactor, which uses fuel supplied by Russia and supplies medical isotopes to Vietnam. At present, Vietnam has also expressed its intention to participate in an international consortium based on "multi-purpose fast research reactors.
Beyond traditional nuclear energy, cooperation is expanding into new potential areas: including logistics development through the Northern Sea Route, container shipping of the FESCO Transport Group (under the management of the Russian State Atomic Energy Company), additive manufacturing technology and energy storage systems.