Russia, Vietnam to Accelerate Nuclear Power Agreements, Deepen Strategic Partnership

Russia and Vietnam have agreed to fast-track negotiations for intergovernmental agreements on constructing nuclear power plants in Vietnam, marking a significant step forward in their comprehensive strategic partnership, local media reported Monday.

According to Vietnam Pictorial News, the agreement was part of a joint statement issued following Vietnamese Communist Party chief To Lam’s recent visit to Moscow. The statement emphasized the importance of deploying advanced nuclear technologies while strictly adhering to nuclear and radiation safety regulations to support Vietnam’s socio-economic development.

This initiative revives Vietnam’s suspended nuclear ambitions from nearly a decade ago, as the country seeks to boost its energy capacity in response to rapid economic growth. Both countries also committed to enhancing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation, particularly through existing mechanisms such as the intergovernmental committee on economic and scientific cooperation and the defense strategy dialogue.

The joint statement reaffirmed that defense and security cooperation remains a key pillar in bilateral ties, and is intended to uphold international law and contribute to regional and global stability. Additionally, Russia and Vietnam pledged to strengthen cooperation in the energy, oil, and gas sectors—especially regarding crude oil and liquefied gas supply and processing—as well as collaborate in transport, shipbuilding, mining, and infrastructure development.