Vietnam nuclear power workforce development

Vietnam is implementing strategic measures to address critical human resource shortages necessary for its long-term nuclear power development. Initial efforts focused on meeting specific staffing requirements for the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 plants, which are projected to need approximately 1,920 and 1,980 personnel by 2033 and 2035, respectively. Government mandates also aim to ensure that state management personnel and regulatory agency staff are fully trained in safety oversight and legislation by 2030.

To combat domestic limitations, such as a shortage of experts at the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (VINATOM) and insufficient specialized facilities, the country is pursuing international cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and foreign institutions.

Building on these needs, the Ministry of Education and Training has established training standards for master’s and doctoral programs across 22 disciplines. This curriculum covers seven core areas, including nuclear engineering and atomic physics, while integrating modern technologies like artificial intelligence and data science to support digital nuclear engineering and smart infrastructure.