Dong Nai City in southern Vietnam has set a strategic goal to become the pioneering locality selected by the Central Government to pilot a nuclear power plant using Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology by 2035.
In implementation of the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 438/QD-TTg regarding the strategy for the development and application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes through 2035, with a vision to 2050, the City People's Committee has issued a comprehensive plan to execute this strategy locally.
By 2030, the city aims to complete and safely operate the Nuclear Science and Technology Research Center in Hang Gon, ensuring synchronized infrastructure such as transportation, electricity, and water to support the project.
Following this, by 2035, Dong Nai intends to have all environmental radiation monitoring stations under its management fully operational. These stations will be integrated into the National Digital Platform and the city’s Intelligent Operations Center (IOC), utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for data analysis and early pollution warnings, as the locality strives to be designated as the nation's pilot site for SMR technology.
Looking toward 2050, Dong Nai aspires to lead the country in high-tech industries, evolving into a premier center for nuclear research, training, and application in both Vietnam and the broader region.
The locality intends to establish itself as an integrated clean energy hub for the Southeast region through a "Hybrid Energy System" model. This system will combine SMRs with renewable energy sources—such as floating solar, biomass, and waste-to-energy—to provide a stable baseload power supply with net-zero emissions, directly serving concentrated digital technology zones and data centers.
To realize these ambitions, Dong Nai will invest in upgrading its automated environmental radiation monitoring network, linking it directly to central authorities and the provincial IOC. The city will also enhance its nuclear incident response plans to address large-scale scenarios, conducting annual drills in coordination with specialized central forces.
Furthermore, the plan includes establishing medical centers capable of specialized treatment for acute radiation syndrome and planning strict management cycles for medical and industrial radioactive waste.
To ensure a skilled workforce, the city will launch academic programs in radiation engineering, nuclear medicine, and environmental law, while upgrading laboratories and enacting policies to attract and retain top-tier talent.
Google translate