The ministry is currently gathering feedback on the draft adjustment of the National Power Development Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision toward 2050 (Power Plan VIII).

In evaluating Vietnam's potential for developing large-scale nuclear power plants, the ministry highlighted eight potential sites across five provinces, as outlined in Decision No. 906/QD-TTg issued by the prime minister on June 17, 2010. These locations include:

Vinh Truong Hamlet, Phuoc Dinh Commune, Thuan Nam District, Ninh Thuan Province

Thai An Hamlet, Vinh Hai Commune, Ninh Hai District, Ninh Thuan Province

Lo Dieu Hamlet, Hoai My Commune, Hoai Nhon District, Binh Dinh Province

Vung La, Phu Hai Hamlet, Xuan Phuong Commune, Song Cau District, Phu Yen Province

Son Tinh Hamlet, Ky Xuan Commune, Ky Anh District, Ha Tinh Province

Cha La Beach, Binh Tien Hamlet, Cong Hai Commune, Thuan Bac District, Ninh Thuan Province

Gia Hoa Hamlet, Duc Thang Commune, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province

Van Ban Hamlet, Duc Chanh Commune, Mo Duc District, Quang Ngai Province

Each site has the potential to generate approximately 4–6 GW of nuclear power.

The ministry also outlined three potential regions for nuclear power development: the South Central region (25–30 GW), the Central region (approximately 10 GW), and the North Central region (4–5 GW).

Currently, only the Phuoc Dinh and Vinh Hai sites have been officially designated for nuclear power plant construction. Other locations, including two in Quang Ngai and one in Binh Dinh, are under consideration for large-scale nuclear power plants with four reactors each.

However, because no formal planning decisions have been made for these sites, they must undergo reassessment after 10 years due to potential socio-economic changes in these regions.

Regarding small modular reactor (SMR) development, the ministry emphasized that site selection is a crucial step in integrating SMRs into the regional energy system. This process significantly impacts construction costs, environmental health, safety, and long-term operational efficiency.

Various SMR designs are being developed globally at different stages, but Vietnam has not yet established legal regulations on site selection criteria for SMRs. In the absence of specific guidelines, SMR site selection will follow existing nuclear power plant regulations.

On November 25, 2024, the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam approved the policy to restart the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project and continue research into the country’s nuclear energy program.

The Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power projects previously completed feasibility studies but were never approved. The government is now considering including them in its nuclear energy development policy framework.

All nuclear power sources, including SMRs, must be located in approved areas due to safety concerns, geological conditions, and nuclear waste disposal requirements. The government will only consider locations pre-approved in Decision No. 906 on nuclear power development planning.

At the second meeting of the National Nuclear Power Plant Construction Steering Committee, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh assigned Vietnam Electricity (EVN) as the lead investor for the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant and the National Energy Industry Group (PVN) as the investor for the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Plant. The government has set a target to complete the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project by December 31, 2030.

Tam An