Hanoi, January 8, 2026 – The Europe Today: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính has called on ministries, agencies and localities to work with a spirit of “day-and-night efforts, including holidays” to ensure the successful construction of the Ninh Thuận nuclear power plants, meeting the country’s development requirements in the new era.
Chairing the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee for Nuclear Power Plant Construction in Hà Nội on Wednesday, the Prime Minister praised ministries and agencies—particularly the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)—for proactively implementing assigned tasks and promptly addressing obstacles to accelerate project progress.
However, he also pointed out delays in several areas, including negotiations on cooperation agreements, fund allocation and legal groundwork related to site clearance.
As head of the steering committee, Prime Minister Chính requested ministries, agencies and localities to proactively carry out their duties within their assigned authority, and to promptly report emerging issues to Deputy Prime Minister Bùi Thanh Sơn for guidance. Matters beyond their authority should be submitted to the Prime Minister for consideration.
The Prime Minister assigned the MoIT to officially notify Japan of Việt Nam’s decision to halt investment in the Ninh Thuận 2 nuclear power plant, while finalising documentation and submitting a resolution to the Government to terminate adjustments to the investment cooperation agreement for the project in accordance with regulations, ensuring balanced benefits and shared risks with the partner.
The ministry was also tasked with coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to prepare negotiation plans on unresolved issues for discussions with Russia regarding investment cooperation for the construction of the Ninh Thuận 1 nuclear power plant. Any difficulties arising during the process should be promptly reported to competent authorities to ensure completion by January, he said.
In addition, the MoIT was instructed to work closely with the Ministry of Justice and other relevant agencies to complete procedures and documentation in line with legal requirements, and to submit them to the National Assembly’s Standing Committee for approval of a resolution on special mechanisms and policies for the Ninh Thuận nuclear power project.
Prime Minister Chính assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to support the MoIT, the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN), the Vietnam National Industry–Energy Group (PetroVietnam), and other relevant agencies in negotiations with partners, providing timely diplomatic guidance to address challenges related to nuclear power plant projects.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Science and Technology was tasked with urgently finalising and submitting to competent authorities the list of state secrets in the science and technology sector by January 2026, as well as developing national standards for nuclear power.
Other relevant ministries, agencies and localities were instructed to focus on resettlement and site clearance, negotiate credit agreements for the Ninh Thuận 1 and 2 nuclear power plants, finalise nuclear workforce training plans, and develop a strategy for selecting partners with advanced reactor technologies.
The Ninh Thuận nuclear power project, now located in Khánh Hòa Province, was approved by the 12th National Assembly in 2009. However, in 2016, the 14th National Assembly passed a resolution to temporarily suspend the project.
In response to the country’s new development requirements, the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly agreed to restart the project in late 2024. The Government subsequently established a steering committee for nuclear power plant construction, which has so far convened three meetings.
To date, ministries and agencies have drafted and submitted laws and related decrees to the National Assembly and the Government to support the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.
