Petrovietnam Connects Technologies and Resources for Nuclear Power Industrial Development
Through participating in the Global Nuclear Energy & Safety Confex 2026 (NES 2026) and engaging with South Korean partners, Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group (PETROVIETNAM) focused on technology evaluation, human resource development, and supply chain readiness, systematically building industrial ecosystem capabilities to meet national energy growth targets in the coming era. From October 27 to 29 in South Korea, a PETROVIETNAM delegation led by Board Member Pham Tuan Anh attended the Global Nuclear Energy & Safety Confex (NES 2026). The delegation included Vice President Cao Hoai Duong alongside heads of the Group's specialized divisions.
Within the mission's framework, the delegation held working sessions with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS), and leading engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and equipment manufacturing enterprises. Concurrently, the delegation conducted field surveys at the Saeul Nuclear Power Plant cluster and Doosan Enerbility's primary power plant equipment manufacturing complex in Changwon.
This mission represents a strategic continuation of initiatives outlined at the seminar "Supply Chain Localization for Nuclear Power Projects in Vietnam" hosted by PETROVIETNAM on March 31, 2026, in Vung Tau. PETROVIETNAM's core objectives for the upcoming phase center on accelerating workforce training partnerships, conducting technology research, and elevating domestic industrial participation across the nuclear power supply chain. Accordingly, the South Korean working program sought deep empirical insights into organizational frameworks, technological capabilities, and ecosystem development models from mature nuclear power nations such as South Korea.
At NES 2026, the delegation updated its assessments on cutting-edge technological solutions, market trends, and safety regimes across the nuclear industry, while studying supply chains for equipment, engineering services, and international cooperation frameworks. The event also offered an invaluable platform to engage with enterprises, academic institutions, and specialized organizations, directly serving research initiatives, institutional capacity building, and resource readiness for the development of the Ninh Thuan 2 Nuclear Power Project in the coming period.
In its bilateral session with Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), PETROVIETNAM sought to accelerate cooperation based on existing Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), with particular emphasis on nuclear workforce training, advanced technological solutions, project management, operations, supply chain development, and increasing localization ratios for future nuclear projects.
Working with KEPCO International Nuclear Graduate School (KINGS), PETROVIETNAM executive leadership proposed expanding postgraduate degree programs, scholarships, and advanced professional training; enhancing institutional linkages, knowledge transfer, and faculty/expert exchanges with PetroVietnam University (PVU) and PetroVietnam College (PVCollege). This partnership pathway aims to systematically cultivate a specialized talent pool capable of receiving advanced technology, managing complex operations, and executing projects to rigorous global nuclear standards. Aligning academic training directly with practical corporate demands will enhance human capital efficiency and strengthen specialized competencies across the PETROVIETNAM ecosystem.
During the mission, the PETROVIETNAM delegation conducted direct site inspections at the Saeul Nuclear Power Plant and Doosan Enerbility's heavy equipment manufacturing complex in Changwon to gain firsthand insights into South Korea's equipment manufacturing, construction, and nuclear operational capabilities.
At Doosan Enerbility's Changwon complex, discussions focused on manufacturing workflow organization, heavy mechanical fabrication capabilities, nuclear-grade quality control, and interface coordination between primary manufacturing facilities and sub-tier supplier networks. At the Saeul Nuclear Power Plant, the delegation concentrated on operational management, plant governance, workforce deployment, and nuclear safety assurance protocols.
Engaging with six leading Korean EPC contractors—Hyundai E&C, Samsung C&T, Doosan Enerbility, Daewoo E&C, GS E&C, and DL E&C—PETROVIETNAM evaluated engineering capabilities, construction management practices, and local contractor partnership models deployed on international mega-projects. These exchanges aimed at identifying specific work packages where Vietnamese enterprises can participate, while clarifying stringent prerequisites regarding qualified personnel, standardized execution procedures, and nuclear-grade quality assurance systems.
Leveraging its accumulated foundations in mechanical engineering, steel fabrication, offshore construction, and technical services, PETROVIETNAM is exploring pathways to integrate the industrial infrastructure and capabilities of its member units into international partner supply chains. Such collaboration must be coupled with hands-on practical training, technical standards enhancement, and process transfer, enabling domestic enterprises to progressively assume qualified work packages.
Through this mission, PETROVIETNAM has clarified actionable, high-feasibility cooperation opportunities, closely aligning technological research and talent development with corporate operational realities. This serves as a vital foundation for the Group to advance its industrial ecosystem, strengthening Vietnam's capacity to participate deeply in the global energy value chain during the forthcoming era of national development.