The construction of the resettlement for local residents who will have to relocate to make way for the two Ninh Thuận nuclear power projects. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly on Monday approved a resolution to split the Ninh Thuận nuclear power project into three independent projects, a move aimed at removing legal obstacles and accelerating preparations for the country's first ever nuclear power programme.

Under the resolution, the existing project will be separated into three independent projects: the Ninh Thuận 1 Nuclear Power Plant project, the Ninh Thuận 2 Nuclear Power Plant project, and a compensation, support and resettlement project serving the Ninh Thuận nuclear power plants.

The resolution was passed at the first extraordinary session of the 16th National Assembly, with 476 of the 481 deputies taking part in the vote supporting it, equivalent to 95.2 per cent.

Following the separation, the projects will be allowed to inherit relevant data and results from work previously approved and carried out, ensuring continuity and avoiding waste.

Presenting the Government's report on feedback and revisions to the draft resolution before the vote, Minister of Finance Ngô Văn Tuấn said the restructuring was necessary to establish a clear legal status for each project and enable investment procedures to be conducted independently.

Under the Law on Public Investment and the Law on Investment, investment policy approval for nuclear power plant projects falls under the authority of the Prime Minister, he said.

However, if either Ninh Thuận 1 or Ninh Thuận 2 proposes special mechanisms or policies that fall within the National Assembly's authority, the legislature will be responsible for approving the project's investment policy, with procedures carried out in accordance with public investment or investment laws.

Removing legal obstacles

Tuấn said the projects would need to undergo procedures for new investment policy approval rather than adjustments to the investment policy previously approved for the original Ninh Thuận nuclear power project.

National Assembly Resolution No 41/2009/QH12, which approved the investment policy for the original project, was adopted in 2009, before the Law on Public Investment took effect.

As a result, the resolution did not establish all the investment-policy elements now required by law. It also did not provide for component projects or separately identify the Ninh Thuận 1 and Ninh Thuận 2 nuclear power plant projects.

There was therefore insufficient legal basis to use procedures for adjusting the investment policy of the two plants, according to the minister.

“This is one of the difficulties and obstacles that make it necessary to separate the Ninh Thuận nuclear power project into independent projects and carry out procedures for approving the investment policies of Ninh Thuận 1 and Ninh Thuận 2 after their separation,” Tuấn said.

He added that the Government had reported the issue to the Politburo, which agreed in principle with measures to resolve the difficulties.

The resolution is expected to provide an important legal foundation for completing investment approval procedures for the two nuclear plants.

Tuấn said separating the projects would allow each to proceed without being dependent on the procedures or progress of the others, thereby accelerating implementation.

Coordination and nuclear safety

Despite their independent legal status, the three projects will remain subject to an overarching coordination mechanism.

The Prime Minister established a steering committee for nuclear power plant construction under Decision No 72/QĐ-TTg in 2025 and subsequently consolidated its membership under Decision No 1689/QĐ-TTg the same year.

The committee is responsible for directing and coordinating major inter-agency matters related to nuclear power plant construction.

The Government will continue strengthening the steering committee to ensure comprehensive and consistent management and coordination among the three projects following the separation.

Following feedback from NA deputies, the resolution also tasks the Government with organising the implementation of the independent projects, ensuring sufficient resources and adherence to schedules.

It must establish mechanisms for unified management and coordination, ensure efficient use of shared technical infrastructure and clearly assign responsibilities for nuclear safety and security, environmental protection, national defence and security.

Transitional arrangements

The resolution also introduces transitional provisions intended to prevent a legal vacuum as the projects move from the framework established under the 2009 resolution to their new independent legal status.

Once the competent authority approves the investment policy for the Ninh Thuận 1 project, the Government will report to the National Assembly on terminating the validity of Resolution No 41/2009/QH12.

The timing will take into account the approved investment policy for Ninh Thuận 1, preparations for Ninh Thuận 2 and other practical conditions, according to Tuấn.

The arrangement is designed to ensure that the 2009 resolution remains in force for as long as necessary during the transition.

The resolution also stipulates that, after the projects are separated, their managing agencies and investors may continue using relevant data and results from work previously undertaken, provided their use complies with existing laws.

According to Tuấn, the separation ultimately aims to give each project an independent legal footing, remove procedural interdependence and speed up implementation of the Ninh Thuận nuclear power programme. — VNS