Fine of 2 billion VND if a nuclear accident occurs

Regulations on sanctioning administrative violations in the field of atomic energy are stated in Decree 71, newly issued, effective from May 1. The document sets out a penalty framework for many acts related to radiation safety, nuclear material management and nuclear facility operation.

The highest fines apply to a number of particularly serious violations in the operation and safety of nuclear power plants. According to Article 37, the act of not taking preventative measures as prescribed to cause an incident at a nuclear power plant that is not serious enough to be prosecuted for criminal liability will result in a fine of between 1 and 2 billion VND.

This fine also applies to some particularly serious violations in nuclear power plant operations. Specifically, the act of testing a nuclear power unit or operating a nuclear power plant without a license or with an expired license will be punished at this level. Similarly, dismantling a nuclear power plant without a license or an expired license can also result in a fine of up to 2 billion VND.

The Decree also regulates many other groups of violations in the use of atomic energy.

In the group of violations of declaration and licensing, non-declaration or incomplete declaration when there is nuclear material, nuclear equipment or used nuclear fuel can be fined from 30 to 60 million VND.

Some acts related to licenses are also punished. For example, conducting radiation work without a license or with an expired license can result in a fine of between 10 and 20 million VND, depending on the type of activity.

Particularly for activities of importing and exporting nuclear materials or processing used nuclear fuel without a license, the fine can be up to 200 million VND.

The Decree also tightens regulations on radiation safety. Actions such as letting the radiation dose of employees or the public exceed the permissible limit, not equipping radiation workers with dosimeters, or not taking corrective measures when detecting an excess can all be punished. If these violations occur at a nuclear facility such as a nuclear power plant, the fine can increase to 120 million VND.

Another group of violations involves the transportation of radioactive materials. In case of letting radioactive materials fall during transportation, a fine of 50 to 100 million VND may be imposed. In addition to fines, the facility must also organize search and recovery of lost materials and decontaminate contaminated areas if environmental pollution occurs.

In radioactive waste management activities, acts of not managing or disposing of used nuclear fuel according to regulations can be fined up to 150 million VND.

The promulgation of the Decree takes place in the context that Vietnam is gradually preparing for its nuclear power program. At the end of 2024, the National Assembly approved the policy of restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. After that, the Government issued directions to strengthen the management apparatus, complete the legal framework and prepare the necessary conditions to implement the national nuclear power program.

According to the plan, Vietnam’s first nuclear power plant is expected to be located in Khanh Hoa province, in the former Ninh Thuan province, including two projects Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2. Vietnam has basically agreed with Russia on a draft cooperation agreement to build Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant. The project is invested by EVN, located in Phuoc Dinh commune, former Thuan Nam district.