Russia and Vietnam have signed a nuclear energy cooperation agreement during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin’s visit to Vietnam, aimed at strengthening bilateral relations.
While details of the agreement remain undisclosed, Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology confirmed Rosatom’s interest in collaborating on the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project. The initiative, which includes two plants with a combined capacity of 4,000 megawatts in central Vietnam, was initially planned in partnership with Rosatom and Japan’s JINED but was canceled in 2016.
Alexei Likhachev, Rosatom’s director, met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Hanoi earlier this week, marking their third meeting in six months. The discussions further underscored Russia’s intent to support Vietnam’s nuclear energy goals.
In addition to the nuclear agreement, seven pacts were signed between the two nations, covering areas such as digital technology and electronics. Mishustin also held talks with Vietnam’s top leadership, including Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, signaling a continued commitment to deepening ties.
This visit follows Russian President Vladimir Putin’s trip to Hanoi months earlier, where both nations reaffirmed their shared perspectives on international issues. Vietnam’s leaders also expressed interest in bolstering defense ties with Russia during that time.
Russia has been Vietnam’s primary arms supplier for decades, accounting for over 80% of its defense imports between 1995 and 2023. However, the volume of arms purchases has significantly declined in recent years due to Western sanctions imposed on Moscow following the conflict in Ukraine.
The renewed focus on nuclear energy and technological cooperation marks a shift in the relationship between the two countries, expanding their partnership into diverse sectors beyond defense.
