Vietnam Revises Atomic Law to Enable SMR Projects
Vietnam’s Science and Technology Minister underscores SMRs and rare earths as strategic national technologies during a VINATOM policy dialogue.
Vietnam has passed a wide-ranging amendment to its Law on Atomic Energy, paving the way for the domestic deployment of small modular reactors (SMRs). Approved by the National Assembly on June 27, 2025, the law will take effect on January 1, 2026.
The revisions formally identify nuclear energy, particularly next-generation technologies and SMRs, as a national strategic priority. They introduce streamlined licensing processes, define nuclear safety and siting mandates, and provide a legal foundation for international cooperation.
Key changes include expanded regulatory authority for the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS), improvements to site evaluation procedures, and the creation of a national digital platform for transparency in project development.
Vietnamese authorities have emphasized the need for low-carbon, reliable energy solutions to meet their 2050 net-zero commitment. Talks with international partners such as Rosatom (Russia) and the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) are underway to explore SMR collaboration opportunities.
The legal framework also facilitates access to global financing channels, including export credit and multilateral mechanisms, for nuclear project development.
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