Nuclear energy specialists ponder advancements for country's progress amidst a new timeframe.
Rebooting Vietnam's Nuclear Energy Dream: Navigating a Brighter, Greener Future
LÂM ĐỒNG - The city buzzed with excitement as a throng of nuclear experts, policymakers, and scientists gathered on April 25. The occasion? A seminar discussing the future of nuclear energy in Vietnam, a nation poised to leap into the nuclear energy arena as part of its quest for rapid and sustainable growth.
This gathering couldn't have been more timely, as the National Assembly has dusted off plans for nuclear power development in Ninh Thuật. Simultaneously, the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, and Mass Mobilisation is leading a national communication campaign aimed at rallying public support for this nuclear energy strategy.
The revival of nuclear ambitions and communication drive signal the Vietnam Communist Party and government's determination to leverage atomic energy as a strategic tool to guarantee energy security, fuel sustainable development, and honor Việt Nam's commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
In his opening remarks, Huỳnh Thành Đạt, deputy head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education, and Mass Mobilisation, underscored the growing importance of nuclear power amid the global clamor for energy transition, environmental protection, and green growth. He pointed out that numerous countries were either reviving or expanding their nuclear programs.
For Vietnam, investing in nuclear energy is about more than meeting domestic power needs. It's about strengthening scientific and technological capabilities, developing a high-quality workforce, and establishing a foothold in the global nuclear value chain, according to Đạt.
Đạt also emphasized the need for building a nationwide network of experts, journalists, and communication professionals to disseminate accurate, timely, and science-based information on nuclear energy. Their goal is to cultivate a unified and progressive public understanding, while conveying the primary advantages of nuclear power - safety, security, and social wellbeing.
Meanwhile, Assoc Prof Dr Nguyễn Nhị Điền, former Director of the Nuclear Research Institute, highlighted the institute's far-reaching application of nuclear technologies in various fields, such as healthcare, industry, agriculture, and environmental protection. He stressed the importance of nuclear power, which plays a crucial role in Vietnam’s transition towards green energy.
The seminar saw discussions about a plethora of topics pertaining to nuclear safety, radiation use in daily life, and the role of communication in fostering public support for nuclear development. Participants also brainstormed measures to address public concerns about nuclear incidents and their possible impacts on health and the environment.
Delegates visit the nuclear reactor at the Nuclear Research Institute in Đà Lạt City, Lâm Đồng Province. - VNA/VNS Photo
As Huỳnh Thành Đạt mentioned, the world is witnessing a resurgence in interest in nuclear power due to increasing demands for energy transition, environmental protection, and green growth. Vietnam's nuclear energy pursuit presents a unique opportunity to balance rapid deployment with rigorous safeguards to ensure public trust and sustainable growth.
APPENDIX:- Vietnam targets 4–6.4 GW of nuclear capacity by 2035 and expands this to 14.4 GW by 2050[1][3][4].- Revisions to nuclear laws will transfer approval authority for plants from the National Assembly to the Prime Minister, except for projects over 2,000 MW[5].- New regulations enforce stricter safety standards, including IAEA compliance[5].- Vietnam aims to raise non-hydro renewables to 75% by 2050, with nuclear providing stable baseload[1][4].- Shifting approval processes and reduced legislative oversight raise concerns about transparency and safety[5].- Significant investment in grid upgrades, safety systems, and skilled labor is needed to meet timelines[1][5].- Past project cancellations and safety concerns necessitate robust communication[2][5].- Transparent dialogues, legal clarity, and emphasizing nuclear's role in carbon reduction and energy exports could help alleviate public concerns[1][4].
- The seminar underscored the significant role that nuclear energy research and science can play in powering sustainable development and honoring Vietnam's commitment to climate-change mitigation.
- Policymakers are focusing on integrating nuclear energy into the country's health-and-wellness, energy, and business sectors, as part of a wider movement towards a greener lifestyle and technology.
- Education-and-self-development, culture, and communication strategies are being employed to encourage public support for this nuclear energy integration, while addressing concerns about nuclear safety.
- Cultivating a unified and progressive public understanding about the advantages of nuclear power - such as reducing carbon emissions, providing energy security, and contributing to the global nuclear value chain - is a key goal.
- Highlands like Ninh Thuật are being considered for the development of nuclear power plants, as part of Vietnam's effort to strengthen its scientific and technological capabilities and meet its net-zero emissions goal by 2050.
- AI and machine learning could play an important role in optimizing nuclear energy production and improving safety standards, contributed by the advancements in environmental-science.
- In addition to nuclear power, investments are being made in therapies-and-treatments, health-and-wellness, and general-news sectors to further Vietnam's goal of sustainable development.
- The finance sector is expected to play a crucial role in funding the necessary infrastructure and research necessary for the nuclear energy transition, as foreign and domestic investors show increasing interest.
- The ongoing revival of nuclear ambitions in Vietnam and the accompanying communication campaign aim to align the country's future with the global trend of energy transition, environmental protection, and green growth.
- Policy measures are being proposed to address public concerns about nuclear incidents and their potential impact on health and the environment, ensuring that Vietnam's nuclear energy program is both safe and socially acceptable.
- Delegates were shown the nuclear reactor at the Nuclear Research Institute in Đà Lạt City, highlighting the institute's integration of nuclear technology in various fields such as healthcare and agriculture.
- Vietnam's nuclear energy expansion has met with some resistance due to past project cancellations and concerns over safety, but proactive communication and robust legistlation are being implemented to help alleviate these concerns.
- The success of Vietnam's nuclear energy program will depend on its ability to balance fast deployment with strict safety regulations, ensuring public trust, and contributing to a sustainable, greener future for the nation and the world.
