Vietnam, IAEA begin 11-day review of national nuclear power infrastructure

The Ministry of Science and Technology is coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to host the INIR Mission, which will run until December 11.

The 11-day review assesses Vietnam’s readiness to develop the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project in Khanh Hoa Province in line with international standards and IAEA guidance.

The mission brings together a seven-member IAEA team, three international experts from the UK, Brazil, and Bulgaria invited by the agency, and an observer from Egypt.

Eric Mathet, head of the IAEA delegation, said the review marks an important milestone in Vietnam’s efforts to establish a safe, secure, and sustainable nuclear power program.

Expressing satisfaction with Vietnam’s preparations for the INIR mission, he commended the country for preparing and submitting its self-assessment report on nuclear power infrastructure to the agency in October.

IAEA experts have since reviewed the report and maintained regular contact with their Vietnamese counterparts to support a comprehensive evaluation, he added.

The agency encouraged open and frank exchanges between Vietnam’s working groups and the INIR team to help ensure the mission’s success.

Under IAEA guidelines, nuclear power infrastructure spans 19 key areas subject to review, ranging from facilities, equipment, site selection and supporting works to legal frameworks, financing and human resources required for a national nuclear power program.

For newcomer countries such as Vietnam, infrastructure development follows a three-phase process.

The first phase focuses on preparing for a decision to launch a nuclear power program, marked by readiness to approve the first project.

The second phase involves preparations for construction, with readiness to launch the first tender.

The final phase covers construction and commissioning, ending with readiness to begin operation.

According to the IAEA, Vietnam is currently in phase two, and the INIR Mission is therefore focusing on preparations to build the country’s first nuclear power plant.

Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Le Xuan Dinh thanked the IAEA experts for their support, noting its importance in helping Vietnam further strengthen its nuclear power infrastructure.

“The ministry, as the coordinating agency, will continue to advance relevant activities in line with IAEA recommendations to meet the requirements for Vietnam’s first nuclear power project,” he said.