Advancing cooperation in nuclear energy

This was Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s first visit to Russia in his new capacity, underscoring Vietnam’s strong commitment to the ASEAN - Russia Strategic Partnership and reaffirming its determination to further strengthen and deepen the Vietnam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The summit held particular significance in enhancing political trust, revitalizing drivers of cooperation, and promoting the development of ASEAN - Russia relations across political, security, economic, trade, investment and socio-cultural spheres.

At a meeting with Alexey Likhachev, Director of Rosatom, the Prime Minister emphasized that Vietnam attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia, noting that energy cooperation, particularly the peaceful use of nuclear energy remains one of the priority areas in bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung highly appreciated Rosatom’s attention and goodwill toward the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant Project. He proposed that Vietnamese authorities work closely with Rosatom and relevant Russian agencies to formulate a detailed implementation plan, ensuring the project’s progress and effectiveness. The Prime Minister also called on Rosatom to support Vietnam in human resource development, technology transfer, the development of supporting industries and the establishment of an ecosystem capable of supporting the project’s implementation.

In response, Alexey Likhachev affirmed Rosatom’s readiness to accompany and support Vietnam in developing its nuclear industry, including the construction of modern nuclear centers, the promotion of peaceful nuclear applications and the training of a highly qualified nuclear workforce.

Likhachev also noted that Rosatom and its Vietnamese partners still have substantial room for cooperation in areas such as renewable energy, high technology, logistics and shipbuilding. He expressed hope that both sides would continue to enhance exchanges, deepen cooperation and translate existing potential into tangible outcomes in the years ahead.

The Prime Minister expressed confidence that the successful implementation of the Ninh Thuan 1 Nuclear Power Plant Project would make an important contribution to Vietnam’s national energy security and long-term socio-economic development needs, while also becoming a new symbol of the traditional friendship and strategic cooperation between Vietnam and Russia in high technology and clean energy.

Expanding Vietnam - Russia oil and gas cooperation

During a meeting with Sergey Kudryashov, Chief Executive Officer of Zarubezhneft, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung acknowledged and highly appreciated the company’s significant contributions to oil and gas exploration and production activities in Vietnam and Russia over many years. He reaffirmed that oil and gas cooperation continues to serve as one of the key pillars of the Vietnam - Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister expressed support for Zarubezhneft’s continued research into and expansion of investment activities, as well as its participation in new oil and gas projects in Vietnam and third countries, on the basis of investment efficiency, balanced interests among stakeholders and compliance with Vietnamese law.

Kudryashov highly valued the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and Zarubezhneft over the years, describing it as a solid foundation for expanding bilateral energy cooperation. He emphasized that the potential for collaboration between Zarubezhneft and Vietnamese partners remains considerable, extending beyond traditional areas such as oil and gas exploration and production.

According to Kudryashov, cooperation could also expand into new sectors, particularly offshore wind power, renewable energy and the joint development of projects in countries where Vietnam enjoys a strong reputation and standing. He also expressed a desire for both sides to strengthen exchanges and promote new cooperative initiatives that would maximize their respective strengths and advantages.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung acknowledged the effectiveness of cooperation between Petrovietnam and Zarubezhneft and commended the efforts of all relevant parties in completing negotiations, amending, signing and effectively implementing intergovernmental protocols, particularly those concerning the expansion of geological exploration and hydrocarbon production activities on Vietnam’s continental shelf and within Russian territory.

The recent completion of negotiations and signing of the Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs) for Blocks 01/17 and 02/17, together with the Kharyaga Oil Development and Production Agreement (PSA Kharyaga), was regarded as a significant milestone, demonstrating the concrete and effective implementation of intergovernmental cooperation agreements in the oil and gas sector between the two countries.

The Prime Minister’s meetings with Rosatom and Zarubezhneft further strengthened and deepened Vietnam–Russia energy cooperation, laying an important foundation for realizing new opportunities in both traditional and emerging energy sectors. These efforts will contribute meaningfully to enhancing energy security, promoting sustainable development and strengthening the strategic autonomy and resilience of both nations.