You are using an outdated browser and your browsing experience will not be optimal. Please update to the latest version of Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox. Install Microsoft Edge

July 16, 2025

Vietnam Passes Amended Law on Atomic Energy

Subscribe to Updates

On June 27, 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam officially passed the amended Law on Atomic Energy, which will take effect on January 1, 2026. This legislative milestone follows the release of the fourth draft in June 2025, which was circulated for public consultation and builds upon earlier drafts from February, April, and early June. (See our previous article on the draft version here), Many provisions have been retained or refined to ensure greater specificity and alignment with Vietnam’s current legal framework.

Once in force, the amended law will replace the 2008 Law on Atomic Energy (No. 18/2008/QH12), marking a significant step forward in modernizing Vietnam’s legal infrastructure for nuclear energy. The new law aims to harmonize with international standards, promote the safe and sustainable development of nuclear power, and facilitate future nuclear projects in the country.

Noteworthy Updates in the Final Legislation

  • Definition of National Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority (NRNSA): The law introduces a clear definition of the NRNSA, outlining its roles and responsibilities in line with IAEA standards. Currently, this function is performed by the Vietnam Agency for Radiation and Nuclear Safety (VARANS) under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • Digital Transformation Requirements: New provisions mandate the development of an integrated digital platform for data management, administrative procedures, and safety oversight, enhancing transparency and security.
  • Policy Support for Training and Privatization: The law sets out principles for workforce incentives and sector privatization, with detailed regulations to be issued by the government.
  • Dedicated Safety and Security Mechanism: A new section outlines inspection, supervision, violation handling, and enforcement procedures in the field of atomic energy, particularly for nuclear power plants. The NRNSA is empowered to conduct unscheduled inspections, suspend operations, and recommend license revocation when safety risks are identified.

Key Provisions Retained or Clarified from the Draft

  • Licensing and Approval for Nuclear Facilities: The licensing process remains stringent, covering all stages from investment and construction to operation and decommissioning.
  • Reporting and Record-Keeping Obligations: Obligations are clearly defined, including both periodic and ad hoc reports on radiation safety, operations, and nuclear incidents.
  • Training and Human Resource Development: Personnel training and certification remain mandatory, with a strong emphasis on continuous professional development. The state confirms preferential mechanisms for promoting human resources training, scientific advancement, investing in infrastructure, technical equipment, and laboratories for research, and socialization of this sector.
  • International Oversight: Inspectors nominated by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must be approved by Vietnamese competent authorities before accessing designated sites under international nuclear non-proliferation agreements to conduct international inspection activities in Vietnam. While conducting inspections, they must comply with national laws and are entitled to privileges and immunities under Vietnamese law and relevant international treaties.
  • Nuclear Damage Compensation: Compensation levels are aligned with international treaties to which Vietnam is a party. In addition, the new law requires nuclear facility investors or operators to obtain insurance or financial guarantees to compensate for nuclear damage. If actual damages exceed the amount insured, the state will provide support for the excess liability. Notably, when applying for an operating license, the investor or operator must submit documentation proving financial capacity for approval by the competent authority.

Next Steps

As of July 15, 2025, the signed version of the amended Law on Atomic Energy has not yet been made publicly available. Once it is released, the government is expected to issue implementing decrees and circulars to guide its application. Stakeholders in the nuclear energy sector should begin reviewing their compliance frameworks and prepare for the transition to the updated legal regime.

Related Professionals

Industries

Energy

Location

RELATED INSIGHTS​ 

August 12, 2024
With the growing prominence of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) factors, businesses in Vietnam are increasingly recognizing their importance in driving global demand, societal impact, and economic value. A comprehensive acknowledgment of ESG-related legal requirements is critical for investors and companies operating in Vietnam to meet stakeholder expectations and ensure compliance. Our guide provides a basic overview of the rapidly evolving ESG landscape in Vietnam, covering a range of key issues for companies doing business in the country: What is ESG, and what does the ESG legal framework look like in Vietnam? Who needs to follow ESG regulations in Vietnam? What are the benefits of ESG compliance? How can enterprises enhance ESG best practices in Vietnam? Please click on the link below to view the full article.
Read More
June 6, 2024
On January 18, 2024, Vietnam’s National Assembly passed a new Land Law (“Land Law 2024”) that is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2025, replacing the current Land Law 2013. To mitigate challenges faced by the real estate market, in late May 2024, the government proposed amendments to the Land Law that would move the effective date up five months, to August 1, 2024, pending approval by the National Assembly. One of the key sectors to be impacted by the Land Law 2024 is the energy sector, which requires large land areas for power plants and infrastructure, especially given Vietnam’s 2050 net zero emissions commitment. Below are highlights of how the new Land Law 2024 will affect Vietnam’s energy sector. Annual payment of land rental Under the Land Law 2013, investors implementing energy projects (e.g., solar power projects) are entitled to choose to lease land with either (i) an annual rental payment or (ii) a single upfront payment for the entire term of use. Under the Land Law 2024, these investors are only allowed to use land in the form of an annual rental payment. As the annual land rental is calculated in five-year cycles, based on the land price table decided by the state, this new restriction means that investors in energy projects will face an additional risk of a sudden increase in land rental, disrupting their financial planning. Investors using land sites leased with annual rental payments are also not allowed to mortgage their land-use rights, but can only mortgage assets attached to the land, at credit institutions licensed to operate in Vietnam. Accordingly, this may affect the ability of energy projects to obtain financing during the development stage, because they no longer have assets that can be mortgaged. Obtaining land Under the Land Law 2024,
Read More
June 4, 2024
Thailand’s Department of Mineral Fuels (DMF) is in the process of preparing a notification that will open the application period for onshore petroleum exploration and production rights in the country’s 25th bidding round. The 25th round of bidding will cover nine petroleum blocks, including the northeastern areas (blocks L1/66, L2/66, L3/66, L4/66, L5/66, L7/66, and L9/66) and central areas (blocks L6/66 and L8/66). The DMF estimates that application submissions will commence around the middle of 2024, and the successful bidder will be announced at the end of the same year. Based on previous rounds of bidding, applicants must meet the following key criteria: The applicant is a company with the purpose of carrying out petroleum exploration and production; The applicant commands the necessary assets, machinery, equipment, tools, and specialists to explore for, produce, sell, and dispose of petroleum; The applicant has not abandoned its operations under a concession or been subject to revocation of a concession in Thailand; and None of its personnel, shareholders, directors, or authorized directors is listed as a person who has abandoned its operations under a concession, or has been subject to revocation of a concession in Thailand. If the applicant does not itself possess all the qualifications under (2) above, it must have another government-approved company that possesses all the qualifications under (2) and has a capital or management relationship with the applicant, and the applicant must supply guarantees that the company will make available to the applicant all necessary assets, machinery, equipment, tools, and specialists for the applicant to explore for, produce, sell, and dispose of petroleum. Companies with a vested interest in petroleum exploration and production in Thailand must remain vigilant for updates. The DMF is expected to provide an update and more details on the bidding very soon. For more details
Read More
June 4, 2024
As Vietnam continues its rapid economic development, the demand for sustainable and reliable energy sources has never been more critical. Solar power has emerged as a key component of Vietnam’s strategy to diversify its energy portfolio and reduce its carbon footprint. Recent developments of the regulatory framework governing solar power projects in Vietnam, as discussed below, highlight the country’s commitment to renewable energy and its efforts to create a conducive environment for solar power investments. Objectives for the Development of Solar Power Projects On May 15, 2023, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 500/QD-TTg, approving the National Power Development Plan for 2021-2030 with a vision to 2050 (“PDP VIII”). Following this, on April 1, 2024, the Prime Minister promulgated the Implementation Plan for PDP VIII (“Implementation Plan”). These documents underscore Vietnam’s commitment to promoting renewable energy, particularly solar. They emphasize self-production and self-consumption of solar power, the development of rooftop solar systems, and the promulgation of the direct power purchase mechanism. The integration of solar power with battery storage is also encouraged, contingent upon economic viability. PDP VIII sets ambitious capacity targets for solar power. By 2030, the capacity is projected to reach approximately 12,836 MW, accounting for 8.5% of the total power capacity. This includes 10,236 MW from concentrated solar power and 2,600 MW from self-production and self-consumption solar power. By 2050, the capacity is expected to rise to between 168,594 MW and 189,294 MW, representing 33.0-34.4% of the total power capacity. Additionally, PDP VIII and the Implementation Plan list 27 solar power projects, totaling 4,136.25 MW, slated for implementation after 2030. However, these projects may be advanced under self-production and self-consumption arrangements. Draft Decree on Direct Power Purchase Agreements On April 15, 2024, the Ministry of Industry and Trade (“MOIT”) released a draft decree on direct power
Read More