Vietnam: government proposes allowing PM to approve nuclear projects

The Vietnamese government has proposed allowing the Prime Minister to approve nuclear power plant investment proposals. This faculty is currently exercised by the National Assembly (NA). The government proposal is part of a broader revision bill of the Atomic Energy Law presented during the 44th Session of the NA Standing Committee on April 14. Presenting the bill, Minister of Science and Technology Nguyễn Mạnh Hùng said it was drafted to align with four major policy directions previously endorsed by the government. They include promoting the development of atomic energy applications, ensuring radiation and nuclear safety, decentralising state management, and enhancing nuclear inspection efforts. The revised law expands government responsibilities in the nuclear sector and introduces provisions to advance the digital transformation in nuclear applications and strengthen the oversight of radioactive and nuclear materials. It also enhances accountability for nuclear facility operators and sets stricter requirements for the design, construction, and technical evaluation of nuclear power plants.
The draft law proposes the elimination of several administrative procedures to simplify implementation. Administrative details will be specified by government decree. The most controversial part of the document is the transfer of authority for nuclear power plant investment decisions from the National Assembly to the Prime Minister. This move has sparked concerns and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng promised that the government will clarify its legal basis. He also suggested a tiered approach, allowing the Prime Minister to approve small- and medium-scale projects, while large-scale projects would still be subject to NA approval. In its preliminary review, the NA’s Standing Committee on Science, Technology, and Environment agreed with most proposed changes. However, Committee Chair Lê Quang Huy warned against permitting private organisations to establish radiation facilities, especially those producing or processing radioactive materials, due to safety concerns. He also supported adding to the new law requirements consistent with IAEA safety standards for domestically designed reactors.
The revised Atomic Energy Law will be discussed at the NA’s ninth session, opening on May 5. The outcome of the debate could reshape the future of nuclear energy in Vietnam and the country’s position in the global energy transition.