Vietnam is gradually restarting its nuclear power program, aiming to ensure energy security and fulfill its commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050. In that process, the Czech Republic and Slovakia are considered two potential European partners thanks to their extensive experience in building, operating and managing modern nuclear power plants.

Dukovany Nuclear Power Plant (Czech Republic)

In the Czech Republic, nuclear power accounts for about 1/3 of the country's electricity output, with 6 reactors operating stably at the Dukovany and Temelín plants. The Czech government is currently implementing a plan to expand nuclear power with 4 new reactors, and has chosen a Korean partner to build the first 2 reactors. In bilateral meetings, the Czech side has repeatedly expressed its willingness to cooperate with Vietnam in the energy sector, especially proposing the establishment of a Joint Working Group between the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade and EVN to promote substantive cooperation.

Mochovce Nuclear Power Plant (Slovakia)

On the Slovakian side, the country has more than 60% of its electricity coming from nuclear power and is in the process of completing a new reactor at the Mochovce plant, while promoting plans to build a new plant in Bohunice with technology from the United States. Since 2014, the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute and the VUJE Institute (Slovakia) have signed in-depth cooperation agreements on nuclear safety, radioactive waste management, and human resource training. In 2016, under the witness of the two Prime Ministers, training cooperation programs continued to be expanded.

In Vietnam, the Government has agreed on the policy of re-implementing the Ninh Thuan 1 and 2 nuclear power projects, including them in the planning period 2030–2050. Vietnam Electricity (EVN) and Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PVN) were assigned to research and find suitable technology and financial partners. In particular, partners from the Czech Republic and Slovakia are highly appreciated for their strong technical foundation, commitment to technology transfer and human resource training.

Cooperation with the Czech Republic and Slovakia not only helps Vietnam access advanced technology but also creates conditions for building a systematic nuclear human resource and developing a domestic supporting industrial ecosystem. This is an important foundation for Vietnam to develop nuclear power safely, effectively and sustainably in the future.