Vietnam and Russia Sign Agreement for Vietnam's First Nuclear Power Plant Amid Middle East Tensions

Vietnam and Russia have signed an agreement to construct Vietnam's first nuclear power plant, according to a statement on the Vietnamese government's website. This move comes as Hanoi seeks to bolster energy security amid global fuel supply disruptions caused by instability in the Middle East. According to Jin10, the agreement was signed during the Vietnamese Prime Minister's visit to Russia, although the statement did not specify when construction would begin. During the visit, Russia's largest liquefied natural gas producer, Novatek, also signed a preliminary supply agreement with Vietnam, as reported by TASS on Monday. The initiative follows the near-total disruption of oil and gas exports through the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, which has led to rising fuel prices and long queues at gas stations. In response to these challenges, the Vietnamese government has implemented a fuel-saving plan that includes transitioning to electric vehicles and accelerating the use of biofuels.