Vietnam wants to master small module nuclear reactor technology

In the strategy approved by the Government on March 16, Vietnam determined that it would develop and apply atomic energy for peaceful purposes. This is an economic-technical industry that contributes to enhancing national position and strength, affirming the level of science and technology and improving the quality of people’s lives.

Vietnam also set many specific goals to develop and apply atomic energy for peaceful purposes.

With nuclear power, from now to 2035, Vietnam will complete and put into operation two plants, Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2. Of which, domestic enterprises account for 30% of the total investment. Vietnam also strives to deploy at least one nuclear power plant using small module reactor technology.

Unlike large-scale traditional nuclear power plants, small modular reactors (SMRs) have lower capacity and modular designs that can be assembled flexibly. This type usually requires lower initial investment capital, short construction time and is highly appreciated for its safety level thanks to its simple design. This is the reason some countries see SMR as a new trend in nuclear power development.

Not stopping at nuclear power projects, Vietnam will also apply atomic energy in many fields such as health, agriculture, industry and the environment.

In particular, many specific targets were set out such as increasing the number of CT machines, MRI machines, and accelerated radiotherapy machines for medical use; production of radioactive drugs; research and development of radiotherapy technologies; Using radioactive mutations to select and create 5-10 key crop varieties; Master radiation techniques and technology in project quality management; Applying radiation to observe meteorology, hydrology, water resources, control, waste treatment, environmental pollution…

Vietnam also aims to develop nuclear science and technology potential. Advanced research facilities will be formed, with two national key laboratories for nuclear power and rare earth technology and 3 to 5 advanced laboratories.

Regarding people, by 2035, the strategy sets the goal of developing a team of 2,500 human resources for state management, research, deployment and technical support in this field. There are also 250 lecturers specializing in atomic energy, 200 human resources for small module nuclear power plants, and 3,900 people for Ninh Thuan nuclear power plants.

Vietnam’s vision to 2050 is that atomic energy will become an economic and technical sector that makes an important contribution to energy security, green economy and sustainable development. The proportion of nuclear power will then account for 6-8% of total national output. Vietnam will also add about 4 large capacity nuclear reactors and 10-15 small modular reactors.

The year 2025 marks an important step for Vietnam in the process of preparing infrastructure for nuclear power, when the policy of restarting projects approved by the National Assembly from the end of 2024 begins to be implemented.

In September 2025, General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh worked with the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute, affirming their determination to develop nuclear power as an energy source for development. The throughout principle emphasized is “not exchanging safety for progress or scale”.

Institutionally, the passage of the Atomic Energy Law (amended) has created a legal foundation for research, application and development of nuclear power. Along with that are technology preparation programs, intensive human resource training, planning review and roadmap for restarting the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. Energy technology, with a specific product being a small nuclear reactor, is also in the list of 11 technology groups and 35 strategic technology products issued by the Prime Minister.

At the 2025 Summary Conference of the field of atomic energy and nuclear radiation safety, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung said that Vietnam is entering a new stage of development of atomic energy, in which nuclear power is determined to play an important role in the national energy structure.