Atomic Energy Law No. 94/2025/QH15

LAW

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Based on the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam amended and supplemented by Resolution No. 20/2025/QH15;3The National Assembly enacts the Nuclear Energy Law.

This Law regulates the development and application of nuclear energy; radiation safety, radiation protection, nuclear safety, and nuclear security; nuclear power plants, research reactors; response to radiation incidents, nuclear incidents, compensation for radiation damage, nuclear damage; nuclear inspection and state management in the field of nuclear energy.

 

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Law applies to organizations and individuals within the country, overseas Vietnamese, foreign organizations and individuals, and international organizations conducting activities in the field of nuclear energy in Vietnam.

Article 2. Applicability

Article 3. Application of the Nuclear Energy Law

1. In cases where laws and resolutions of the National Assembly promulgated before this Law comes into effect contain specific provisions on nuclear energy that do not contravene the principles of ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security as stipulated in Article 6 of this Law, such provisions shall be applied.

2. In cases where laws and resolutions of the National Assembly promulgated after this Law comes into effect contain provisions on nuclear energy, they must clearly specify the implementation content according to this Law, the implementation content according to those laws and resolutions, and must comply with the provisions of Article 6 of this Law.

Radiation Safety

Article 4. Definitions

In this Law, the following terms shall be understood as follows:

1. is the implementation of measures to ensure the safety of radiation sources, protect against the harmful effects of radiation, prevent incidents or mitigate the consequences of exposure to humans and the environment. Nuclear Safety

2. is the implementation of measures to ensure compliance with operating conditions, prevent incidents or mitigate the consequences of incidents caused by nuclear equipment and nuclear materials to humans and the environment. Nuclear Security

3. is the prevention, detection, and response to acts of theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transportation, and transfer, or other harmful acts related to radioactive sources, nuclear materials, and nuclear equipment or facilities managing, using, and operating them. Radioactive Source Security

4. is the implementation of measures to prevent, detect, and respond to acts of theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, illegal transportation, and transfer, or other harmful acts related to radioactive sources. Radiation Protection

5. is the protection of people from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation and measures to achieve this. Ionizing Radiation (hereinafter referred to as radiation)

6. is a beam of particles or electromagnetic waves capable of ionizing matter. Exposure

7. is the impact of radiation on humans, the environment, animals, plants, or other material objects. Radioactive Material

8. is a substance emitting radiation due to the radioactive decay of atomic nuclei and having a radioactivity concentration or total radioactivity level greater than the clearance level prescribed by law. Radioactive Waste

9. is waste containing radioactive material or contaminated objects that must be disposed of. Nuclear Fuel Cycle

10. includes activities related to the creation of nuclear energy, including: uranium or thorium ore extraction and processing; uranium enrichment; nuclear fuel fabrication; use of nuclear fuel in nuclear reactors; recycling of used nuclear fuel to the activities of processing, storing, and disposing of radioactive waste and used nuclear fuel generated from the creation of nuclear energy and related research and development activities. National Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency

11. is a specialized agency assisting central agencies responsible for implementing state management in the field of nuclear energy in managing and enforcing state management tasks regarding radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, nuclear inspection, and other functions and responsibilities as prescribed by this Law and other relevant laws. Radioactivity Level

12. is a quantity representing the number of radioactive nuclei decaying in a unit of time. Activities in the Field of Nuclear Energy

13. include training, scientific research, and technological development in the field of nuclear energy; design, construction, trial operation, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities and radiation facilities; exploration, extraction, processing, closure of radioactive mineral mines; production, storage, use, transport, transfer, assignment, export, import of radioactive sources, radiation equipment, nuclear fuel, nuclear material sources, nuclear materials, and nuclear equipment; management of radioactive waste, used radioactive sources, used nuclear fuel, and support services for the application of nuclear energy. Radiation Measurement

14. is the measurement of dose, exposure rate, or radioactivity concentration, total radioactivity, contamination levels in a region and surrounding environment to assess or control the level of exposure and interpret the results of the measurement. Exposure Dose

15. is a quantity measuring the energy of radiation transmitted into and absorbed by an object or living tissue. Nuclear Reactor

16. is a system designed and manufactured to create a self-sustaining chain reaction under controlled conditions. Research Nuclear Reactor

17. is a nuclear reactor designed to produce neutrons and other radiation for research, development, application, education, and training purposes. Exemption Threshold

18. is the value of radioactivity concentration, total radioactivity, dose rate, or radiation energy set by the competent authority below which radiation sources are not required to be declared or licensed. Clearance Level

19. is the value of radioactivity concentration or total radioactivity of radionuclides in radioactive material below which it will be considered non-hazardous to human health and the environment and will no longer be managed as radioactive material. Nuclear Energy

20. is energy released during nuclear transformations, including fission energy, fusion energy, and energy from radioactive decay. Atomic Energy

21. is nuclear energy, electromagnetic radiation energy, and particle acceleration energy capable of ionizing matter. Radiation Safety Officer

22. Person responsible for radiation safety is the person to whom the head of the organization or individual conducting radiation work assigns the responsibility for managing radiation safety work at the facility, and who fully complies with the provisions of the law on radiation safety.

23. Radiation worker is an individual directly working with radiation equipment, nuclear equipment, or radioactive material, or in a workplace environment that has the potential to be exposed to a dose equivalent greater than 1 millisievert annually, excluding natural background radiation.

24. Nuclear power plant is a power plant using one or more nuclear reactors to convert nuclear energy into electrical energy.

25. Nuclear fuel is nuclear material manufactured as fuel for a nuclear reactor.

26. Used nuclear fuel is fuel that has been irradiated and permanently removed from the operational reactor core.

27. Radiation source is a radioactive source or radiation equipment.

28. Radioactive source is radioactive material manufactured for use, excluding nuclear material.

29. Nuclear power unit is a combination including a nuclear reactor to produce fission energy, turbine, generator, and other auxiliary equipment aimed at converting fission energy into thermal and electrical energy.

30. Nuclear inspection is the control of the use of nuclear material, nuclear material sources, materials and equipment used in the nuclear fuel cycle, and related activities to prevent the proliferation of nuclear weapons, illegal transportation and use of nuclear material, nuclear material sources, materials and equipment in the nuclear fuel cycle.

31. Radiation equipment is equipment that emits radiation or has the ability to emit radiation, used for specific purposes.

32. Nuclear equipment is a nuclear reactor, conversion equipment, uranium enrichment equipment, equipment for manufacturing nuclear fuel, or equipment for processing used nuclear fuel.

33. Safety culture is a system of standards, rules, and behaviors formed and developed by organizations and individuals to ensure that radiation safety and nuclear safety are always prioritized.

34. Security culture is a system of standards, rules, and behaviors formed and developed by organizations and individuals to protect radioactive material, nuclear equipment, nuclear facilities, and related information from security threats.

35. Nuclear material is plutonium, except for types with a plutonium-238 isotope content exceeding 80%; uranium-233; uranium enriched with isotope 235 or 233; uranium containing a mixture of isotopes in proportions similar to natural uranium but not in the form of ore or tailings; any material containing one or more of the above types.

36. Nuclear material source is one of the following materials: uranium, thorium in the form of ore or tailings; uranium containing a 235U isotope component less than natural uranium; ore containing thorium, uranium at or above 0.05% by weight; thorium and uranium compounds that have not reached sufficient quantities to be classified as nuclear material.

37. Radioactive material is radioactive substance, nuclear material, nuclear material source, radioactive waste.

38. Radioactively contaminated object is an object with radioactive material adhering to its surface or within its composition unintentionally, having a radioactivity concentration or total radioactivity level exceeding the clearance level specified by law.

Article 5. State policy in the field of atomic energy

1. The state policy in the field of atomic energy includes:

a) Promoting the development and application of atomic energy for peaceful purposes to serve economic and social development, environmental protection, and improving the quality of people's lives; contributing to ensuring energy security, sustainable national development based on optimal exploitation of all domestic and foreign resources;

b) Prioritizing investment and diversifying sources of capital for the development and application of atomic energy;

c) Ensuring the state budget for scientific research and technological development in the field of atomic energy; building and operating a national radiation monitoring and warning network; investing in constructing national storage, treatment, and burial sites for radioactive waste, used radioactive sources, and used nuclear fuel;

d) Enhancing capacity and effectiveness in ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security in the development and application of atomic energy; managing radioactive waste; preparing to respond to radiation incidents and nuclear accidents;

đ) Having preferential mechanisms for training, nurturing, attracting, utilizing, and valuing human resources; investing in material and technical infrastructure, equipment, and laboratories for research and training institutions in the field of atomic energy;

e) Prioritizing the transfer and application of advanced technology, high technology, and environmentally friendly technology in the field of atomic energy; strengthening manufacturing capacity and localization of equipment in the field of atomic energy; gradually increasing the rate of localization in construction and manufacturing equipment, moving towards mastering nuclear power technology;

g) Ensuring and enhancing capacity, human resources, finance, and material and technical infrastructure for national radiation and nuclear safety agencies and the system of state management agencies for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security;

h) Investing in synchronous development of infrastructure, culture, education, healthcare, and social welfare in localities with nuclear facilities;

i) Strengthening international integration, cooperation, and implementation of international commitments in the field of atomic energy where the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member. Creating conditions for organizations and individuals within the country, overseas Vietnamese, foreign organizations and individuals, and international organizations to cooperate in the field of atomic energy to serve economic and social development;

k) Promoting information dissemination and propaganda to raise awareness and create social consensus on the development and application of atomic energy and promote radiation safety culture and nuclear security culture.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Article 6. Principles for Ensuring Radiation Safety, Nuclear Safety, and Nuclear Security

1. Organizations and individuals conducting radiation work, constructing radiation facilities, and building nuclear facilities are primarily responsible for ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security; establishing, maintaining, and promoting safety culture and security culture.

2. Ensuring that the benefits from radiation work must be greater than the risks and damages that could be caused to people, property, society, and the environment; protecting current and future generations.

3. Ensuring that the dose of radiation exposure for the public and radiation workers does not exceed permissible limits as prescribed by atomic energy laws; radiation protection must be optimized to ensure the highest level of safety reasonably achievable.

4. Preparing resources and plans to respond to radiation incidents and nuclear accidents; applying measures to minimize the effects of radiation when radiation incidents and nuclear accidents occur; ensuring accountability of state management agencies in handling radiation incidents and nuclear accidents.

5. Ensuring public access to information about radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security; preparing and responding to radiation incidents and nuclear accidents in accordance with the law.

Article 7. Digital Transformation in the Field of Nuclear Energy

1. The State promotes comprehensive digital transformation regarding radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, application of nuclear energy, ensuring transparency, openness, connectivity, synchronization, and timeliness in the collection, processing, exploitation, and sharing of information and data to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of activities in the field of nuclear energy.

2. The digital platform for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of nuclear energy is an integrated unified system serving updates, storage, management, exchange, and sharing of data on organizations, human resources, technical infrastructure, and activities in the field of nuclear energy. The digital platform for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of nuclear energy is designed to ensure integration, connectivity, and data sharing with national information systems and related specialized information systems in accordance with the provisions of the law.

3. Declarations, issuance of permits, registration certificates, and certificates; export and import control of nuclear equipment and radioactive materials; management of radioactive materials and radiation equipment; reporting and exchanging environmental radiation monitoring data, and other specialized reports in the field of nuclear energy must be carried out, managed, and stored on the digital platform for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of nuclear energy, except for contents classified as state secrets.

4. Accessing, exploiting, and using data on the digital platform for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of nuclear energy must comply with authority, purpose, and regulations on protecting state secrets, laws on personal data protection, laws on ensuring information security, and laws on cybersecurity.

5. Organizations and individuals participating in activities in the field of nuclear energy have the responsibility to provide, update promptly, fully, and accurately information and data on the digital platform for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of nuclear energy in accordance with the provisions of the law.

6. The State ensures resources for investment, construction, operation, maintenance, and development of the digital platform for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of nuclear energy.

7. The Government shall specify detailed regulations on the organization and operation of the digital platform for radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of nuclear energy.

Article 8. State Management of Nuclear Energy

1. The Government uniformly manages state administration in the field of nuclear energy; assigns a central agency to be responsible for implementing state administration in the field of nuclear energy (hereinafter referred to collectively as the central state management agency for nuclear energy).

2. Ministries and ministerial-level agencies within their respective tasks and powers implement state administration in the field of nuclear energy.

3. Provincial People's Committees within their respective tasks and powers implement state administration in the field of nuclear energy in their localities.

4. The Government shall specify detailed regulations on the national radiation safety and nuclear safety agency under Clause 11, Article 4 of this Law, ensuring the principle of separation between the functions of state administration on radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security from the development and application of nuclear energy.

Article 9. Prohibited Acts

1. Exploiting or abusing activities in the field of nuclear energy to infringe upon independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, internal affairs intervention, threatening national security and interests; infringing upon the rights and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals, causing harm to human health, lives, and the environment.

2. Research, development, manufacture, purchase, sale, transportation, transfer, storage, use, or threat to use nuclear weapons, radiological weapons.

3. Conducting radiation work, performing support service activities for the application of nuclear energy without permission from the competent authority.

4. Producing, purchasing, exporting, importing consumer products with higher radioactivity levels than those permitted by law.

5. Importing radioactive waste.

6. Violating regulations on ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, nuclear inspections.

7. Infringing upon facilities, equipment, means serving activities to ensure radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security in the field of nuclear energy.

8. Appropriating, destroying, or illegally transferring radioactive materials, nuclear equipment.

9. Concealing information, delaying provision of information, or providing unfounded, inaccurate information about radiation incidents, nuclear incidents causing damage to state interests, rights, and legitimate interests of organizations and individuals.

10. Providing false or misleading information; forging or falsifying documents related to activities in the field of nuclear energy for profit or to obstruct state management work.

Chapter II

DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF NUCLEAR ENERGY

Article 10. Atomic Energy Development Strategy for Peaceful Purposes and Atomic Energy Development Plan

1. The Atomic Energy Development Strategy for Peaceful Purposes shall be defined as follows:

a) The Atomic Energy Development Strategy for Peaceful Purposes shall be established based on the national economic and social development strategy;

b) The main contents of the Atomic Energy Development Strategy for Peaceful Purposes include viewpoints, objectives, tasks, solutions, and resources for implementation;

c) The central state management agency for atomic energy shall be responsible for organizing the establishment, submitting to the Prime Minister for approval the Atomic Energy Development Strategy for Peaceful Purposes.

2. The Atomic Energy Development Plan shall be defined as follows:

a) The Atomic Energy Development Plan is a technical and specialized plan established based on the national economic and social development strategy, the Atomic Energy Development Strategy for Peaceful Purposes, relevant national sectoral plans, setting out basic long-term orientations and determining general and specific goals for developing and applying atomic energy for peaceful purposes;

b) The central state management agency for atomic energy shall be responsible for organizing the establishment, reviewing, submitting to the Prime Minister for approval the Atomic Energy Development Plan; announcing, implementing, evaluating, and adjusting the plan according to the provisions of this Law;

c) The Atomic Energy Development Plan shall be adjusted when there is a change in strategic objectives, economic and social development plans, sectoral development strategies, and relevant plans under the planning laws that alter the content of the plan;

d) The Atomic Energy Development Plan shall be adjusted through a simplified procedure when any of the following grounds exist: the implementation of resolutions of the National Assembly, Standing Committee of the National Assembly, or the Government regarding national defense and security, administrative unit restructuring, or important national projects that alter one or more aspects of the plan; the plan conflicts with higher-level plans; the plan conflicts with plans at the same level; the implementation of urgent projects or critical tasks alters one or more aspects of the plan according to the Government's regulations.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 11. Human Resource Development in the Field of Atomic Energy

1. The State shall have a training, upgrading, and human resource development program in the field of atomic energy and encourage domestic organizations and individuals, overseas Vietnamese, foreign organizations and individuals, and international organizations to participate in its implementation.

2. The State shall have preferential policies to attract and utilize high-level human resources and experts both domestically and internationally working in the field of atomic energy; prioritize recruiting graduates from excellent or higher categories in atomic energy majors into state management agencies, training institutions, research, development, and application organizations of atomic energy.

3. The State shall have preferential policies and support for individuals sent for training and upgrading in the field of atomic energy including nuclear power; expand the role and responsibility of training and research institutions in the field of atomic energy.

4. Individuals working in the field of atomic energy who are paid from the state budget shall enjoy occupational preference allowances; those engaged in public service and exposed to radiation shall receive hazardous and dangerous job allowances as prescribed by law.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for paragraphs 1, 2, and 3 of this Article.

Article 12. Building scientific and technological capacity for the development and application of atomic energy

1. The State prioritizes investment in developing nuclear science and technology capacity, strategic technologies, enhancing material infrastructure for research and application of science and technology in the field of atomic energy; has national science, technology, and innovation programs on the development and application of atomic energy.

2. The State focuses its investment and encourages domestic organizations and individuals, overseas Vietnamese, foreign organizations and individuals, and international organizations to invest in activities in the field of atomic energy serving economic and social development, including nuclear power generation activities.

3. The State implements support policies and incentives to enhance scientific and technological capacity for the development and application of atomic energy for organizations and individuals operating in the field of atomic energy.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 13. Socialization of activities in the field of atomic energy

1. The State diversifies forms of scientific and technological organizations and training institutions in the field of atomic energy; organizes radiation work; carries out service activities supporting the application of atomic energy.

2. Enterprises, organizations, and public institutions are permitted to establish Science and Technology Development Funds for research and application activities in atomic energy according to laws on science, technology, and innovation.

3. Organizations and individuals participating in establishing, investing in scientific and technological organizations and training institutions in the field of atomic energy, radiation work organizations, and service activities supporting the application of atomic energy shall enjoy preferential policies according to the law.

4. Forms of attracting social resources for activities in the field of atomic energy include:

a) Establishing scientific and technological organizations and training institutions in the field of atomic energy, radiation work organizations, and service activity organizations supporting the application of atomic energy;

b) Investing through public-private partnership models in the field of atomic energy;

c) Borrowing funds to invest in infrastructure projects, radiation equipment, and nuclear equipment;

d) Cooperating with international nuclear energy research organizations to establish joint laboratories;

đ) Leasing, renting, and using assets for business, joint ventures, and joint operations;

e) Purchasing, leasing, borrowing, and lending some radiation equipment;

g) Sponsoring and providing aid from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals;

h) Socializing public services in the field of atomic energy;

i) Other forms as prescribed by law.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Chapter III

RADIATION SAFETY, RADIATION PROTECTION, NUCLEAR SAFETY AND NUCLEAR SECURITY

Section 1

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 14. Radiation Work

Radiation work includes:

1. Testing operation of nuclear power plants, research reactors; operating nuclear power plants, research reactors;

2. Operating irradiation equipment;

3. Using radiation equipment; using and storing radioactive sources;

4. Producing, processing radioactive materials, enriching uranium, manufacturing nuclear fuel;

5. Exploring, mining, and processing radioactive minerals;

6. Processing, storing, and burying radioactive waste, used radioactive sources, and used nuclear fuel;

7. Changing the scale, scope of operation, or ceasing operation of radiation facilities, nuclear facilities;

8. Importing and exporting radioactive materials, nuclear source materials, nuclear materials, and nuclear equipment;

9. Packaging and transporting radioactive materials; transporting radioactive materials through Vietnam's territory;

10. Other radiation work as prescribed by the Government.

Article 15. Atomic Energy Application Support Services Activities

Atomic energy application support services activities include:

1. Radiation safety training; professional and vocational training for individuals engaged in atomic energy application support services activities;

2. Installation of radioactive sources; installation, maintenance, and repair of radiation equipment, nuclear equipment;

3. Personal dose measurement; assessment of radioactivity intensity;

4. Calibration of radiation equipment, nuclear equipment; calibration of radiation measuring instruments;

5. Decontamination, radiation inspection;

6. Testing of radiation equipment;

7. Other atomic energy application support services activities as prescribed by the Government.

Article 16. Radiation Facilities

Radiation facilities include:

1. Accelerator operating facilities;

2. Irradiation equipment operating facilities using radioactive sources;

3. Radioactive material production and processing facilities;

4. Facilities for processing, storing, and burying radioactive waste, used radioactive sources, and used nuclear fuel as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 38 of this Law;

5. Other radiation facilities as prescribed by the Government.

Article 17. Safety Evaluation Reports, Safety Analysis Reports, and Annual Safety Status Reports for Radiological Work

1. Safety evaluation reports are defined as follows:

a) Organizations and individuals must prepare safety evaluation reports for radiological work when applying for permits to conduct such work, except for activities specified in Clause 1 and Clause 7, Article 14 of this Law;

b) Safety evaluation reports for radiological work must be tailored to each specific radiological work.

2. Safety analysis reports are defined as follows:

a) Radiation facilities must prepare safety analysis reports to submit to the national radiation and nuclear safety authority for approval before constructing radiation facilities, except for irradiation equipment operating facilities with built-in shielding designed by the manufacturer and mobile accelerator operating facilities for cargo inspection;

b) Radiation facilities must prepare safety analysis reports when applying for permits to conduct radiological work involving changes in scale and scope of operations, or cessation of operations.

3. Organizations and individuals conducting radiological work must prepare annual safety status reports on radiological work or reports upon request by the national radiation and nuclear safety authority or specialized agencies assisting provincial People's Committees in managing atomic energy affairs as prescribed by law.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 18. Radiation Exposure Control Caused by Radiological Work

1. Radiation exposure control caused by radiological work includes:

a) Occupational radiation exposure control involves monitoring radiation doses for radiation workers during radiological work;

b) Medical radiation exposure control involves monitoring radiation doses for: patients in diagnosis and treatment; caregivers and supporters of patients; volunteers participating in biomedical research programs;

c) Public radiation exposure control involves monitoring radiation doses caused by radiological work for persons not covered under points a and b of this clause.

2. The radiation exposure control prescribed in Clause 1 of this Article must comply with the principles set forth in Clauses 2 and 3, Article 6 of this Law.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 19. Requirements for Nuclear Security and Nuclear Materials

1. Requirements for organizations and individuals with radioactive sources include:

a) Establishing, maintaining, and promoting a security culture;

b) Developing and implementing nuclear security measures appropriate to the level of risk posed by the radioactive source and based on threat assessments to prevent theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, transportation, transfer, or other harmful acts related to the radioactive source; ensuring complementarity and enhancing the effectiveness of radiation safety protection measures;

c) Maintaining nuclear security until the radioactive source is decommissioned;

d) Conducting periodic inventory checks of radioactive sources;

đ) Having response measures in case of loss of nuclear security;

e) Implementing regulations on information confidentiality related to security systems, including cybersecurity, as prescribed by law.

2. Requirements for organizations and individuals with nuclear materials include:

a) Establishing, maintaining, and promoting a security culture;

b) Developing and implementing physical protection measures for nuclear materials based on threat assessments, the nature of the nuclear material, and potential consequences of theft, sabotage, unauthorized access, transportation, transfer, or other harmful acts related to nuclear materials;

c) Applying纵深防御原则在核材料实物保护措施的设计和实施中；

d) Developing and implementing policies and programs to ensure the quality of physical protection systems;

đ) Having response measures in case of loss of nuclear material security;

e) Implementing regulations on information confidentiality related to physical protection systems, including cybersecurity, as prescribed by law.

3. Organizations and individuals who lose, have their radioactive sources or nuclear materials stolen, destroyed, abandoned, or illegally transferred shall be responsible for the following:

a) Immediately reporting to one of the following agencies: the national radiation and nuclear safety agency, the state management agency for preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the specialized agency assisting the provincial People's Committee in managing nuclear energy affairs, the public security agency, and the nearest People's Committee;

b) Cooperating with relevant agencies, organizations, and individuals to organize searches, recoveries, and handle radiation incidents and nuclear incidents involving radioactive sources and nuclear materials.

4. Organizations and individuals who discover lost, stolen, destroyed, abandoned, or illegally transferred radioactive sources or nuclear materials that have not been reported must immediately report to one of the following agencies: the national radiation and nuclear safety agency, the state management agency for preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, the specialized agency assisting the provincial People's Committee in managing nuclear energy affairs, the public security agency, and the nearest People's Committee.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 20. Radiation Monitoring of Work Areas

1. Organizations and individuals conducting radiation work must regularly and systematically carry out radiation monitoring of work areas and measure necessary parameters as a basis for assessing radiation safety.

2. Equipment used for radiation monitoring and measurement must meet national technical standards and must be maintained and calibrated periodically.

3. Organizations and individuals conducting radiation work must establish, update, and retain radiation monitoring records.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 21. Termination of Radiological Facility Operations

1. When terminating operations, the radiological facility must implement the dismantling, decontamination, and disposal plan for radioactive sources and radioactive waste that has been approved in the application file for the termination of radiological facility operations permit.

2. The radiological facility shall bear all costs associated with dismantling, decontamination, disposal of radioactive sources, and storage and disposal of radioactive waste upon termination of operations.

3. Dismantling, decontamination, and disposal of radioactive sources and radioactive waste shall be carried out in accordance with the regulations stipulated by the head of the central state management agency on atomic energy.

4. The agency issuing the permit to terminate radiological facility operations as provided in Clause 1 of this Article shall organize inspections of the dismantling, decontamination, and disposal of radioactive sources and radioactive waste, and recognize that the radiological facility has fulfilled its responsibility to ensure radiation safety.

Article 22. Limiting Harm from Existing Radiation Exposure to Humans

1. Existing radiation exposure to humans includes:

a) Direct or indirect exposure caused by residual radioactive materials generated from past activities not under control or arising from announced terminated radiation incidents or nuclear accidents;

b) Natural exposure from cosmic rays and natural objects around.

2. The Government assigns Ministries and equivalent agencies to identify locations where existing radiation levels pose potential harm to humans requiring intervention by competent authorities; organize surveys and assess harmful potential; notify provincial People's Committees to coordinate in developing and implementing necessary measures to minimize harm to humans.

Article 23. Environmental Radioactivity Monitoring

1. Environmental radioactivity monitoring involves continuous, periodic, and systematic observation of radioactivity changes in environmental components within the monitored area. Such monitoring helps promptly detect any abnormal radiation developments affecting the environment, supports proactive responses to radiation incidents and nuclear accidents; provides a database on radioactivity for state management of atomic energy; fulfills international commitments in the field of atomic energy to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

2. Organizations conducting radiation work with a risk of radioactive material dispersion must carry out environmental radioactivity monitoring, report the results of regular environmental radioactivity monitoring to the national radiation and nuclear safety agency, and immediately report any abnormal results of environmental radioactivity monitoring.

3. Environmental radioactivity monitoring data must be managed and shared on the National Digital Platform for Radiation Safety, Nuclear Safety, and Nuclear Security, Development, and Application of Atomic Energy.

4. The development of a national environmental radioactivity monitoring and warning network shall be implemented according to the Plan for the Development and Application of Atomic Energy.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 24. Requirements for Ensuring Radiation Safety in Healthcare

1. Organizations and individuals using radiation equipment, radioactive sources, and radiopharmaceuticals in healthcare must apply the principles of radiation control set forth in Clauses 2 and 3 of Article 6 of this Law. The dose limitation principle shall not be applied to the public and radiation workers in medical radiation exposure to patients.

2. Organizations and individuals using radiation equipment, radioactive sources, and radiopharmaceuticals in healthcare must comply with regulations ensuring radiation safety for radiation workers, patients, patient supporters, and the public; establish and implement quality assurance programs for diagnosis and treatment; set diagnostic reference levels and radiation exposure controls for patients; report and investigate medical incidents related to radiation; maintain patient radiation dose management records; develop and issue technical procedures for diagnosis and treatment.

3. Radiation equipment used in healthcare must be manufactured and tested to meet legal requirements on atomic energy, standards and technical regulations, and other relevant legal provisions.

4. Radiation workers directly handling radiation equipment, radioactive sources, and radiopharmaceuticals at healthcare facilities must be professionally trained and hold appropriate radiation worker certificates.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.

Article 25. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals in ensuring radiation safety, protecting against radiation, ensuring nuclear source security, and nuclear material security

1. The responsibilities of the head of an organization or individual who has been granted a permit to carry out radiation work include:

a) Being primarily responsible for radiation safety work, radiation protection, nuclear source security, and nuclear material security, and implementing the provisions of this Law regarding the conduct of radiation work;

b) Appointing a radiation safety officer; specifying the duties and authorities of the radiation safety officer in writing;

c) Fully complying with the conditions specified in the permit to carry out radiation work;

d) Establishing and organizing the implementation of internal regulations or guidelines on radiation safety, radiation protection, nuclear source security, and nuclear material security;

đ) Ensuring safe working conditions, organizing vocational training, radiation safety training, conducting regular health examinations, occupational disease examinations, and monitoring radiation dose for radiation workers;

e) Complying with inspections and checks by state management agencies authorized to oversee radiation safety, nuclear source security, and nuclear materials; providing necessary information when requested;

g) Organizing radiation monitoring, controlling radioactive waste, ensuring that radiation doses do not exceed limits prescribed by atomic energy laws;

h) Developing plans, preparing, and organizing activities to respond to radiation incidents and nuclear accidents at the facility level;

i) Reporting to the provincial People's Committee and the national radiation and nuclear safety agency when a radiation incident or nuclear accident occurs;

2. The responsibilities of the radiation safety officer include:

a) Assisting the head of an organization or individual who has been granted a permit to carry out radiation work in implementing the provisions set forth in points c, d, đ, e, g, and h of Clause 1 of this Article;

b) Assisting the head of an organization or individual who has been granted a permit to carry out radiation work in establishing and organizing the implementation of technical measures necessary to comply with radiation safety conditions;

c) Managing activities related to the storage, use of radioactive sources, radiation equipment, nuclear materials, nuclear equipment to ensure radiation safety, radiation protection, nuclear source security, nuclear material security, and nuclear equipment within their scope of responsibility;

d) Reporting to the head of an organization or individual who has been granted a permit to carry out radiation work when signs of abnormality in radiation safety, nuclear safety, or nuclear security are detected, or when a radiation incident or nuclear accident occurs;

đ) Establishing and retaining records related to radiation safety and nuclear safety;

3. The responsibilities of radiation workers include:

a) Implementing legal provisions, adhering to relevant national technical standards, and following appropriate safety guidelines corresponding to the ongoing radiation work;

b) Using radiation dose monitoring devices and protective equipment when carrying out radiation work, undergoing regular health check-ups, and occupational disease examinations according to the instructions of the radiation safety officer; refusing to work when safety conditions are inadequate, except in cases of participating in the resolution of radiation incidents or nuclear accidents;

c) Immediately reporting to the radiation safety officer when abnormalities in radiation safety, nuclear source security, or nuclear material security occur during the conduct of radiation work;

d) Implementing measures to resolve radiation incidents or nuclear accidents according to the emergency response plan for radiation incidents or nuclear accidents, or according to the instructions of the person designated by the head of the organization or individual who has been granted a permit;

4. The Government shall stipulate the responsibilities of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies in guiding radiation safety, radiation protection, nuclear source security, and nuclear material security;

Section 2

PROSPECTING, MINING, PROCESSING, AND CLOSING RADIATION-CONTAINING MINES

Article 26. Requirements for Exploration, Exploitation, Processing, and Closure of Radioactive Mineral Deposits

1. Radioactive minerals include:

a) Radioactive minerals as defined by laws on geology and mineral resources;

b) Other minerals not covered under point a of this clause whose by-products or waste generated during exploration, exploitation, processing, and closure of mineral deposits contain radioactive isotopes from the natural radioactive decay series of uranium and thorium, with total radioactivity levels or radioactivity concentration levels requiring radiation protection measures as prescribed by laws on atomic energy.

2. Organizations and individuals engaged in exploration, exploitation, processing, and closure of radioactive mineral deposits as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Prepare a safety assessment report as prescribed in Clause 1 of Article 17 of this Law and submit it to the national radiation and nuclear safety authority for review;

b) Provide information related to ensuring radiation safety upon request of the national radiation and nuclear safety authority.

3. The use of the review results of the safety assessment report as prescribed in Clause 2 of this Article shall be regulated as follows:

a) For mineral exploration activities, the review results of the safety assessment report serve as the basis for the competent state management agency to issue a mineral exploration permit;

b) For radioactive mineral exploitation activities, the review results of the safety assessment report serve as the basis for the competent state management agency to issue a mineral exploitation permit;

c) For radioactive mineral processing activities, the review results of the safety assessment report serve as the basis for deciding on investment projects according to laws on investment and other relevant laws. In cases where mineral processing activities are linked to mineral exploitation investment projects, the safety assessment report review shall be conducted concurrently with the review prescribed in point b of this clause;

d) For closure activities of radioactive mineral deposits, the review results of the safety assessment report serve as the basis for the competent state management agency to issue a decision to close the mineral deposit.

4. Organizations and individuals engaged in exploration, exploitation, processing, and closure of radioactive mineral deposits must comply with this Law, laws on geology and mineral resources, laws on investment, and other relevant laws.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article and specify situations requiring the preparation of additional safety assessment reports.

Article 27. Environmental Protection Responsibilities of Organizations and Individuals Engaged in Exploration, Exploitation, Processing, and Closure of Radioactive Mineral Deposits

1. Organizations and individuals engaged in exploration, exploitation, processing, and closure of radioactive mineral deposits shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Implement environmental protection, improvement, and restoration measures as prescribed by laws on geology and mineral resources and environmental protection laws; monitor environmental radiation and ensure radiation safety as prescribed by laws on atomic energy;

b) Report to the competent state management agencies for minerals, investment, and environmental protection, and the national radiation and nuclear safety authority on the implementation results of the measures prescribed in point a of this clause.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Section 3

TRANSPORTATION, CROSS-BORDER TRANSPORTATION, IMPORT AND EXPORT OF RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS AND NUCLEAR EQUIPMENT

Article 28. Safety and security plans and emergency response plans for the transport of radioactive materials

1. Organizations and individuals transporting radioactive materials must establish and implement safety and security plans and emergency response plans for the transport of radioactive materials.

2. Emergency response plans for the transport of radioactive materials must be reviewed by the national radiation and nuclear safety agency.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 29. Transit activities of ships and other vehicles powered by atomic energy; transportation and transit through Vietnam's territory of radioactive materials and nuclear equipment

1. Transit activities of ships and other vehicles powered by atomic energy on Vietnam’s territory, transportation and transit through Vietnam’s territory of nuclear equipment and radioactive materials, except for radioactive sources with medium and low levels of danger, must be approved by the Prime Minister and must be subject to supervision by competent authorities.

2. Transport organizations and individuals may not refuse to transport radioactive materials and nuclear equipment that meet the conditions for transport and have been granted permission according to the law.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for Clause 1 of this Article; and specify the transportation of radioactive sources with medium and low levels of danger.

Article 30. Control of import and export of radioactive materials and nuclear equipment

1. Importing and exporting radioactive materials and nuclear equipment can only be carried out when authorized by the competent state agency.

2. Customs authorities must prioritize customs procedures according to the law on customs for radioactive materials and nuclear equipment that comply fully with Clause 1 of this Article; if violated, they will be dealt with according to the law depending on the nature, degree of violation, and consequences.

3. Organizations and individuals importing radioactive materials and nuclear equipment that violate Clause 1 of this Article will be required by the competent state management authority to rectify before clearance or re-export or confiscation depending on the nature, degree of violation, and consequences.

4. Organizations and individuals exporting radioactive materials and nuclear equipment that violate Clause 1 of this Article will be required by the competent state management authority to rectify before clearance depending on the nature, degree of violation, and consequences.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for Clause 1 and Clause 2 of this Article; and specify the coordination mechanism between customs authorities, the national radiation and nuclear safety agency, and related agencies in controlling the import and export of radioactive materials and nuclear equipment.

Article 31. Control of imported consumer goods that have been irradiated

1. Consumer goods that have been irradiated and are not included in the list of permitted imports, or those included in the list but irradiated beyond the specified limit, are not allowed to be imported.

2. Irradiated consumer goods or those containing radioactive substances that are permitted to be imported must clearly indicate this on their labels.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 32. Control of imported goods suspected of containing radioactive substances or being contaminated with radioactivity

1. The national radiation and nuclear safety agency shall cooperate with customs authorities to take necessary measures to inspect imported goods when signs of containing radioactive substances or contamination with radioactivity are detected, or in cases where early warnings about such goods are received.

2. When imported goods containing radioactive substances or contaminated with radioactivity are discovered, customs authorities shall suspend customs procedures, notify the consignee, carrier, or person providing transit services to handle the situation using the following measures:

a) Immediately apply necessary safety measures to minimize harm to people and the environment;

b) Immediately apply re-export; in cases where the consignee, carrier, or person providing transit services cannot be identified for re-export, apply emergency response plans for radioactive sources outside of control.

3. Customs authorities shall cooperate with the national radiation and nuclear safety agency to supervise the implementation of state management measures regarding radiation safety as stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article.

4. The consignee, carrier, or person providing transit services shall be responsible for remedying all consequences caused by imported goods containing radioactive substances or contaminated with radioactivity at the border gate.

5. The head of the central state management agency for atomic energy shall specify the list of goods requiring radiation inspection.

6. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of this Article.

Section 4

RADIATION SAFETY AND SECURITY OF NUCLEAR FACILITIES

Article 33. Requirements for Nuclear Facility Safety and Security

1. A nuclear facility includes:

a) Nuclear power plants;

b) Facilities operating research reactors;

c) Facilities for uranium conversion, enrichment, fabrication, and recycling of nuclear fuel;

d) Facilities for storing, processing, and disposing of spent nuclear fuel.

2. A nuclear facility must ensure the following requirements:

a) Control of radiation dose for radiation workers and the public; control of radioactive emissions to the environment not exceeding prescribed limits;

b) Prevention of radiation incidents, nuclear incidents; minimizing consequences for people, the environment, and society in case of an incident;

c) Ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security in the construction, trial operation, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear equipment and facilities; in the use, storage, and transportation of nuclear fuel, nuclear materials, and radioactive waste;

d) Preventing, detecting, stopping, and responding to risks of loss, theft, seizure, destruction, transfer, or illegal use of nuclear materials, nuclear equipment, and nuclear fuel; illegal access or destruction of nuclear facilities;

đ) The selection of site, design, manufacture, construction, trial operation, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities must comply with national technical standards; in cases where there are no national technical standards, national standards, foreign standards, foreign technical regulations, or international standards proposed by partners for application to the project may be applied but must ensure suitability for Vietnamese conditions and compliance with international standards and guidelines on radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency.

3. The investor of a project to construct a nuclear facility and the organization operating the nuclear facility must prepare a safety analysis report of the nuclear facility including detailed information related to safety, the complexity level of the nuclear facility, and associated nuclear radiation risks to assess and demonstrate compliance with radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security requirements, ensuring updates, consistency, and continuity during the stages of site approval, design, construction, trial operation, and operation. The safety analysis report of the nuclear facility shall be retained until the nuclear facility ceases operations completely.

4. The Government shall provide detailed provisions on the following matters:

a) Responsibilities of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and relevant agencies regarding radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security for nuclear facilities;

b) Radiation safety requirements for the design, construction, trial operation, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities;

c) Nuclear safety requirements for the site, design, construction, trial operation, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear facilities;

d) Nuclear security requirements for nuclear materials, nuclear fuel, nuclear equipment, and nuclear facilities.

Article 34. Responsibilities of the Head of a Nuclear Facility

1. General responsibilities include:

a) Bearing ultimate responsibility for ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security and protecting the environment throughout the entire lifecycle of the nuclear facility;

b) Ensuring full compliance with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws;

c) Establishing management measures, clearly assigning responsibilities and authorities to departments and individuals related to radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security; establishing a monitoring and evaluation system;

d) Complying with the provisions of points c, d, đ, e, g, h, and i of Clause 1, Article 25 of this Law.

2. Responsibilities for ensuring radiation safety and nuclear safety include:

a) Ensuring necessary resources for radiation safety and nuclear safety work;

b) Developing and organizing implementation of safety reports, quality management systems;

c) Organizing environmental radioactivity monitoring according to Clause 2, Article 23 of this Law and monitoring other parameters as prescribed by relevant laws;

d) Preparing and submitting annual safety status reports, ten-year comprehensive reports, or reports as required to the national radiation safety and nuclear safety agency;

đ) Establishing, maintaining, and promoting a safety culture.

3. Responsibilities for ensuring nuclear security include:

a) Ensuring necessary resources for nuclear security work;

b) Developing and organizing implementation of nuclear facility security plans;

c) Establishing, maintaining, and promoting a security culture;

d) Immediately taking necessary measures to locate, recover lost, seized, transferred, or illegally used nuclear fuel and nuclear materials; simultaneously reporting to the People's Committee, local police authority, and national radiation safety and nuclear safety agency; bearing full responsibility for all related costs;

đ) Implementing a security assurance and physical protection system to detect, prevent, and respond promptly to illegal possession, transfer, or use of nuclear fuel and nuclear materials; terrorist or destructive acts against nuclear equipment. Upon discovering any violation signs, immediately report to the national radiation safety and nuclear safety agency and competent authorities for handling in accordance with the law.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 35. Information and Propaganda

1. The central state management agency with competent authority, the People's Committee of the province where there is a nuclear facility, and the nuclear facility shall implement the following provisions:

a) Propaganda and provision of information to enhance the public's understanding of the nuclear facility;

b) Propaganda and dissemination of knowledge about safety, security, and emergency response for local residents near the nuclear facility;

c) Regularly provide information on the safety and security status of the nuclear facility to local residents;

d) Establish a mechanism to receive, process feedback and supervision from citizens and community regarding safety, security, especially on the Digital Platform concerning radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, development, and application of atomic energy.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Section 5

RADIOACTIVE WASTE, USED RADIATION SOURCES AND USED NUCLEAR FUEL

Article 36. General Requirements for Managing Radioactive Waste, Used Radiation Sources, and Used Nuclear Fuel

1. Management of radioactive waste and used radiation sources includes activities such as collection, classification, treatment, storage, and disposal of radioactive waste and used radiation sources.

2. Management of used nuclear fuel includes activities such as treatment, storage, and disposal of used nuclear fuel.

3. Activities for managing radioactive waste, used radiation sources, and used nuclear fuel must comply with the following principles:

a) Protecting people and the environment from radiological hazards, other hazards, and not burdening future generations;

b) Minimizing the generation of radioactive waste to the lowest possible level;

c) Considering biological, chemical, and other potential hazards associated with the management of radioactive waste, used radiation sources, and used nuclear fuel;

d) Implementing measures to control limits and dissipate residual heat generated during the management of radioactive waste and used nuclear fuel;

đ) Measures to ensure safety and security in the management of radioactive waste, used radiation sources, and used nuclear fuel must comply with national technical standards; in cases where there are no national technical standards, national standards, foreign standards, foreign technical regulations, and international standards suitable for Vietnam’s conditions may be applied, consistent with radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security standards and guidelines of the International Atomic Energy Agency and relevant international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member;

e) Ensuring financial resources for the management of radioactive waste, used radiation sources, and used nuclear fuel.

4. National-level sites for storing, treating, and disposing of radioactive waste, used radiation sources, and used nuclear fuel are determined in the national environmental protection plan, regional plans, provincial plans, the plan for the development and application of atomic energy, and related plans.

5. Provincial-level centralized storage, treatment, and disposal sites for radioactive waste are determined in the national environmental protection plan, regional plans, provincial plans, the plan for the development and application of atomic energy, and related plans.

6. The central state management agency for atomic energy organizes the development of content for the planning of national-level sites for storing, treating, and disposing of radioactive waste, used radiation sources, and used nuclear fuel to integrate them into the national environmental protection plan.

7. The Government shall specify the details of paragraphs 4, 5, and 6 of this Article.

Article 37. Responsibilities of organizations and individuals generating radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, or spent nuclear fuel

1. Organizations and individuals generating radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, or spent nuclear fuel shall have the following responsibilities:

a) To declare and request issuance of a radiation work permit in accordance with this Law;

b) To comply with transfer regulations in cases of mandatory or voluntary transfer of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, or spent nuclear fuel;

c) To ensure funding for activities stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 36 of this Law.

2. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on Point b and Point c of Clause 1 of this Article.

Article 38. Organizations handling, storing, and disposing of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel

1. Organizations handling, storing, and disposing of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel are enterprises or other organizations established in accordance with the law.

2. Organizations specified in Clause 1 of this Article shall have the following responsibilities:

a) To request the national radiation safety and nuclear agency to issue a radiation work permit for the activities of handling, storing, and disposing of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, or spent nuclear fuel;

b) To have financial plans to ensure funding for operations and termination of operations of the organization;

c) To manage radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security for radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, or spent nuclear fuel throughout the entire operational lifecycle of the organization.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on Clause 1, Clause 2 of this Article, and the following contents:

a) Collection, classification, treatment, storage, and disposal of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel;

b) Requirements for selecting sites for the treatment, storage, and disposal of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel;

c) Financial assurance for the operation and termination of operations of organizations handling, storing, and disposing of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel as stipulated in Point c of Clause 1 of Article 37 of this Law;

d) Responsibilities of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and localities related to ensuring security and safety for the treatment, storage, and disposal of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel.

Article 39. Export of radioactive waste, spent nuclear fuel, and import and export of decommissioned radiation sources

1. The export of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel must be permitted by the national radiation safety and nuclear agency when the following requirements are met:

a) The importing country has been notified about the transfer of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel and has agreed to accept them;

b) The transportation of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel complies with international commitments in all countries through which the materials pass;

c) The importing country has the necessary technical infrastructure and laws to manage the safety and security of radioactive waste, decommissioned radiation sources, and spent nuclear fuel in accordance with international standards and guidelines from the International Atomic Energy Agency.

2. Decommissioned radiation sources may be imported if they were produced in Vietnam or meet the following conditions:

a) They still have a suitable radioactivity level for continued use for civilian purposes in Vietnam;

b) Documentation proving origin and technical characteristics is available;

c) There is a clear purpose of use and compliance with regulations on ensuring radiation safety and radiation source security.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 40. Management of radioactive contaminated objects and disposal of radioactive contaminated objects and used radiation sources

1. Disposal of radioactive contaminated objects and used radiation sources is the procedure to remove radioactive contaminated objects and used radiation sources from the management scope of the national radiation and nuclear safety agency.

2. Organizations and individuals having radioactive contaminated objects shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Manage radioactive contaminated objects in accordance with Articles 36, 37, and 38 of this Law or transfer them to facilities that have been licensed to carry out radiation work for activities related to the treatment, storage, and burial of radioactive waste, used radiation sources, or used nuclear fuel;

b) Request the national radiation and nuclear safety agency to permit the disposal of radioactive contaminated objects with radioactivity concentrations or total radioactivity levels less than or equal to the disposal limit.

3. Organizations and individuals having used radiation sources shall request the national radiation and nuclear safety agency to permit the disposal of used radiation sources with total radioactivity levels less than or equal to the disposal limit.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on Clause 2 and Clause 3 of this Article.

Chapter IV

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT, RESEARCH NUCLEAR REACTOR

Section 1

NUCLEAR POWER PLANT

Article 41. General Requirements

1. The selection, approval of location, design, construction, trial operation, operation, cessation of operations, and ensuring safety and security of nuclear power plants must comply with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws.

2. The national radiation and nuclear safety agency shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Advise and assist the central state management agency on atomic energy in leading the review of radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, issuing construction permits for nuclear power plants, operating test permits for nuclear power units, operation, and cessation of operations of nuclear power plants;

b) Inspect, monitor, coordinate nuclear inspections for activities related to nuclear power plants in accordance with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws.

Article 42. Investment Policy for Projects to Construct Nuclear Power Plants

1. The decision to invest in projects to construct nuclear power plants shall be implemented in accordance with the laws on public investment, this Law, and other relevant laws; the approval of the investment policy for projects to construct nuclear power plants shall be carried out in accordance with the laws on investment, this Law, and other relevant laws.

2. The feasibility study report for projects to construct nuclear power plants shall be prepared in accordance with the laws on construction, and must include the content of detailed survey and preliminary assessment of the suitability of the construction site for nuclear power plants, preliminary assessment of radiological impact in accordance with the laws on atomic energy, preliminary design in accordance with point a, Clause 3, Article 44 of this Law, and other specific contents related thereto.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Article 43. Construction Site for Nuclear Power Plants

1. The investor shall be responsible for conducting detailed surveys and assessments of the construction site for nuclear power plants. The survey and assessment must consider the following factors fully:

a) Natural and artificial factors that can affect the safety of nuclear power plants from outside;

b) Characteristics of the site and environment related to the dispersion of radioactive materials from nuclear power plants that may harm people and the environment;

c) Population density, distribution, and characteristics of the area related to the implementation of emergency response measures for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents;

d) Characteristics regarding national defense, security, order, and safety of the site, including the risk of illegal intrusion, sabotage, terrorist attacks, and factors affecting the assurance of security and safety during construction, trial operation, operation, and cessation of operations of nuclear power plants.

2. The investor must prepare a dossier to request approval of the construction site for nuclear power plants.

3. The construction site for nuclear power plants will be approved when it meets the following basic requirements:

a) Consistent with national master plans, regional plans, provincial plans, and technical and specialized plans;

b) Ensuring safety for residents in the area and protecting the environment;

c) Ensuring safety for the operation of nuclear power plants taking into account geological, meteorological, hydrological, natural disaster, transportation, and other factors;

d) Ensuring national defense and security of nuclear power plants, consistent with the requirements for national security and social order and safety;

đ) Ensuring the ability to implement emergency response plans for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents to minimize consequences when such incidents occur.

4. The Prime Minister shall examine and approve the construction site for nuclear power plants. The approval of the site shall be carried out before or simultaneously with the decision to invest in constructing nuclear power plants.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 44. Design and Construction of Nuclear Power Plants

1. The project investor shall be responsible for organizing the design and construction of nuclear power plants in stages in accordance with the progress and technical requirements of the project; ensuring that the design and construction meet the radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security requirements stipulated by atomic energy laws. The design and construction must be carried out by organizations or individuals possessing the necessary qualifications as prescribed by construction laws, atomic energy laws, other relevant laws, and controlled through a quality management system.

2. The design and construction of nuclear power plants must comply with the following basic principles:

a) Adhering to the principle of deep protection, ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security;

b) Utilizing advanced technologies that have been verified;

c) Ensuring stable and reliable operation within the operational limits and conditions throughout the plant's lifecycle, taking into account human factors and human-machine interactions.

3. The design and construction of nuclear power plants must comply with construction laws, atomic energy laws, and ensure the following requirements at each stage:

a) Preliminary design included in the pre-feasibility study report for investment and construction must provide sufficient information for a preliminary evaluation of the construction site selection;

b) Basic design included in the feasibility study report for investment and construction must provide sufficient information to evaluate the suitability of the selected technology and the feasibility of design solutions regarding radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security;

c) Detailed design following basic design at various implementation stages of the project must be consistent with the characteristics of the site, based on design criteria ensuring the construction meets safety requirements, ensuring safe operation of the nuclear power plant, providing sufficient information to prepare a safety analysis report as prescribed by atomic energy laws;

d) Other design requirements according to international practices.

4. The review and approval of design and construction shall be carried out in accordance with construction laws, atomic energy laws, and other relevant laws.

5. The national radiation and nuclear safety agency shall review the contents of the design related to radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security as stipulated in Clause 3 of this Article, serving as the basis for conducting the review and approval as stipulated in Clause 4 of this Article.

6. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Article 45. Investment Decision for Construction Projects of Nuclear Power Plants

1. Responsibilities of the investor of the construction investment project of nuclear power plants include:

a) Implementing environmental impact assessments in accordance with environmental protection laws, which must include the content of environmental impact assessments concerning radiation and radiological impacts;

b) Preparing a feasibility study report for investment and construction of nuclear power plants in accordance with construction laws and other relevant laws, including the content: fuel supply assurance plan; radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security; spent nuclear fuel management and radioactive waste disposal; environmental protection measures; human resource training plans; and other special contents as prescribed by atomic energy laws.

2. The procedures, formalities, authority for reviewing and approving the results of environmental impact assessment reports are carried out in accordance with environmental protection laws.

3. For construction investment projects of nuclear power plants using public investment funds, the procedures and formalities for reviewing and deciding on investment and construction are implemented in accordance with public investment laws and other relevant laws.

4. The decision to invest in constructing nuclear power plants not using public investment funds is carried out in accordance with construction laws and other relevant laws.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 46. Construction of nuclear power plants

1. The investor must prepare a dossier to apply for a construction permit for a nuclear power plant, including a report on safety analysis during the construction phase and other documents as prescribed by laws on atomic energy and construction laws, to be submitted to the central state management agency on atomic energy for review and issuance of a construction permit for the nuclear power plant.

2. Construction works related to radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security of the nuclear power plant can only be carried out after the investor has been granted a construction permit for the nuclear power plant. The central state management agency on atomic energy will issue a construction permit for the nuclear power plant when the investor meets the following conditions:

a) The report on safety analysis during the construction phase complies with the requirements stipulated by laws on atomic energy;

b) The design of the nuclear power plant is suitable for the characteristics of the construction site, ensuring that it does not cause adverse effects on the site; complying with the provisions of Clause 2 and Point c, Clause 3, Article 44 of this Law;

c) The quality management system complies with the requirements stipulated by laws on construction and laws on atomic energy;

d) The investor has sufficient capacity to organize the construction of the nuclear power plant;

đ) The construction plan complies with the requirements stipulated by laws on construction and laws on atomic energy;

e) The security assurance plan complies with the requirements stipulated by laws on atomic energy and other relevant laws;

g) The decommissioning plan complies with the requirements stipulated by laws on atomic energy;

h) Other conditions as prescribed by relevant laws.

3. The investor must organize inspections and supervision of the quality of the manufacture of important structures, systems, and components for safety of the nuclear power plant, supervise the main contractor, sub-contractor, and supplier.

4. During the construction process, any design modifications (if any) shall be implemented in accordance with laws on construction; in case such modifications affect the solutions for ensuring radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security compared to the content already reviewed, the investor must report to the central state management agency on atomic energy for examination and approval before continuing with related construction works.

5. The construction, quality management, acceptance, inspection of completion works by the investor, handover, warranty, maintenance, and construction projects of the nuclear power plant must comply with the provisions of laws on construction, fire prevention, firefighting, rescue, and other relevant laws.

6. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Article 47. Trial operation of nuclear power units

1. The trial operation of nuclear power units includes the following two main stages:

a) Fuel-free testing is the stage where individual and integrated tests of structures, systems, and components are conducted to verify their mechanical integrity, operability, and design functions under fuel-free conditions;

b) Fuel-loaded trial operation is the stage where nuclear fuel is loaded into the reactor and startup tests are conducted to verify the safe operational capability of the plant at various power levels under fuel-loaded conditions.

2. The investor must prepare a trial operation program to be submitted to the central state management agency on atomic energy for review and approval before conducting fuel-free testing.

3. The investor must obtain a trial operation permit before loading fuel into the reactor.

4. Requirements for obtaining a trial operation permit include:

a) The report on safety analysis during trial operation, the trial operation program, operating limits and conditions, and results of fuel-free testing must meet safety requirements;

b) Technical items must be completed and meet safety requirements before trial operation;

c) Safety management and quality management systems must comply with the requirements stipulated by laws on atomic energy;

d) The investor must have sufficient capacity to ensure the organization of safe trial operations; have trained and certified personnel; have training and simulation equipment usage programs as prescribed by law;

đ) Operating instructions, emergency response plans for radiation incidents, nuclear incidents at the facility level, and security assurance plans must comply with the requirements stipulated by laws on atomic energy;

e) Environmental permits as prescribed by laws on environmental protection;

g) Compliance with other relevant laws.

5. Trial operations must comply with the approved trial operation program; any changes must be approved by the central state management agency on atomic energy.

6. The national radiation and nuclear safety agency shall conduct comprehensive supervision of the entire trial operation process to ensure that activities are carried out in accordance with the approved trial operation program and comply with radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security requirements.

7. After completing the trial operation, the investor must prepare a report on the results of the trial operation, clearly explaining any changes in technical criteria, operating conditions, and limits compared to the design during construction.

8. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter; specify the procedures and formalities for reviewing and issuing trial operation permits for nuclear power units; and define the responsibilities of all parties involved during the trial operation of nuclear power units.

Article 48. Operation of Nuclear Power Plants

1. The operating organization must prepare a file to request an operation permit, submit it to the central state management agency for atomic energy for review and issuance of the permit.

2. The operating organization shall be granted an operation permit when meeting the following conditions:

a) Having a nuclear power plant constructed in accordance with design parameters; the actual condition of the plant meets operational safety requirements;

b) Having sufficient resources to ensure safe operation;

c) Safety analysis reports during operation, procedures and guidance on operation, operational limits and conditions meet safety requirements;

d) Having a quality management system during operation that complies with the legal requirements on atomic energy;

đ) Having a decommissioning plan that meets the legal requirements on atomic energy;

e) Having financial measures to fulfill all legal obligations throughout the operation and decommissioning process;

g) Other conditions as prescribed by relevant laws.

3. After obtaining the operation permit under this Law, the operating organization must prepare a file to request an electricity business operation permit according to the legal provisions on electricity.

4. The operating organization must ensure safe and stable operation within approved limits and conditions; maintain a quality management system, radiation environmental monitoring; implement all maintenance, testing, monitoring, inspection, and quality control programs; ensure the capability to respond to radiation incidents and nuclear incidents; regularly assess radiation risks and apply appropriate control measures based on the level of safety importance.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 49. Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants

1. The operating organization of the nuclear power plant is responsible for preparing a file to request a decommissioning permit, submitting it to the central state management agency for atomic energy for review and issuance of the permit.

2. Decommissioning of a nuclear power plant involves implementing technical and administrative measures to recognize the operating organization's completion of its responsibility to ensure radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security. Decommissioning includes decontamination, dismantling, radioactive waste management generated during this process, and related activities.

3. The decommissioning plan must be considered from the design phase and reviewed and updated periodically or when changes occur compared to previous phases. The decommissioning plan must be approved by the central state management agency for atomic energy, and any changes to the approved plan must be approved by this agency.

4. The owner and operating organization of the nuclear power plant must bear all costs and have the responsibility to ensure adequate financial resources for decommissioning the nuclear power plant.

5. A nuclear power plant will only be recognized as having completed decommissioning and fulfilled its responsibility to ensure radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security upon completion of the approved decommissioning plan.

6. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article.

Article 50. Review of Matters Related to Nuclear Power Plants

1. The competent state agency organizing the review of files requesting approval of site, technology, radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security for nuclear power plants has the right to hire technical consultants to assist in performing part or all of the work serving the review process.

2. The cost of hiring technical consultants for assistance is included in the total investment amount of the project to construct the nuclear power plant.

3. The Government shall specify the following:

a) The leading agency organizing the review of matters related to nuclear power plants;

b) Contents, responsibilities, and methods of coordination in the review process of Ministries, agencies at the ministerial level, and other related agencies.

Article 51. Safety Supervision and Security Assurance

1. The national radiation and nuclear safety agency shall organize the implementation of supervision to ensure radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security at the stages of surveying, site evaluation, design, manufacturing, construction of nuclear power plants, trial operation of nuclear power units, operation, and termination of nuclear power plant activities.

2. During the supervision process, if signs indicating loss of radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security are detected, the national radiation and nuclear safety agency has the following rights:

a) Request relevant organizations and individuals to rectify and report on the results of implementation;

b) Conduct surprise inspections and checks in accordance with Clause 4, Article 59 and Article 60 of this Law. In case of discovering violations, handle them or recommend competent authorities to handle them in accordance with Article 61 of this Law;

c) Temporarily suspend part or all activities that pose a serious risk to safety and security to prevent radiation incidents and nuclear accidents.

3. The police agency and the defense agency shall organize specialized forces and implement measures to protect the security of nuclear power plants in accordance with laws on protecting important works related to national security, laws on atomic energy, and other relevant laws.

4. The project investor and the operating organization shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Implement security protection measures during the stages of surveying, site evaluation, design, construction of nuclear power plants, trial operation of nuclear power units, operation, and termination of nuclear power plant activities;

b) Ensure resources, finance, and infrastructure for security protection work;

c) Closely coordinate with the police agency, the defense agency, and competent authorities in ensuring the security of nuclear power plants.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article; specify funding to ensure the operation of protecting nuclear power plant facilities.

Section 2

RESEARCH NUCLEAR REACTOR

Article 52. General Requirements

1. The national radiation and nuclear safety agency shall have the following responsibilities:

a) Advise and assist central state management agencies on atomic energy in reviewing radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, approving sites, issuing permits for constructing research nuclear reactors, trial operation, operation, and termination of research nuclear reactor activities;

b) Inspect, check, supervise, and cooperate in nuclear inspections for activities related to research nuclear reactors in accordance with this Law and other relevant laws.

2. The selection, approval of sites, design, construction, trial operation, operation, termination of activities, and assurance of radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security for research nuclear reactors must comply with the provisions of this Law and other relevant laws.

3. The review of contents related to research nuclear reactors shall be carried out in accordance with Article 50 of this Law.

4. Safety supervision activities at the stages of surveying, site evaluation, design, manufacturing, construction, trial operation, operation, and termination of research nuclear reactor activities shall comply with Clause 1 and Clause 2 of Article 51 of this Law.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for this Article; specify measures and responsibilities of relevant parties in ensuring the security of research nuclear reactors.

Article 53. Investment policy, location, design, decision on nuclear research reactor projects and construction

1. The decision on investment policy for constructing a nuclear research reactor shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Article 42 of this Law.

2. The survey, evaluation, and approval of the location for constructing a nuclear research reactor must comply with the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 5 of Article 43 of this Law.

3. The central state management agency for atomic energy shall examine and approve the location for constructing a nuclear research reactor. The location approval may be carried out before or simultaneously with the decision to invest in the project to construct a nuclear research reactor.

4. The design for constructing a nuclear research reactor must comply with the provisions of Article 44 of this Law, except Point b Clause 2 of Article 44 of this Law.

5. The decision to invest in the project to construct a nuclear research reactor shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 45 of this Law.

6. The construction of a nuclear research reactor shall be regulated as follows:

a) The investor must prepare an application file for obtaining a construction permit for a nuclear research reactor in accordance with Clause 1 of Article 46 of this Law, to be submitted to the central state management agency for atomic energy for review and issuance of the construction permit for a nuclear research reactor;

b) Before commencing construction work related to radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security, the investor must meet all conditions stipulated in Clause 2 of Article 46 of this Law;

c) During the construction process, any adjustment to the design of the nuclear research reactor must comply with the provisions of Clause 4 of Article 46 of this Law;

d) The construction, quality management, acceptance, inspection of completion works by the investor, warranty, maintenance, and handover of the construction project of a nuclear research reactor must comply with the regulations of the Construction Law, Fire Prevention and Fighting Law, Rescue Law, and other relevant laws.

7. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 54. Trial operation, operation, and termination of activities of a nuclear research reactor

1. The trial operation of a nuclear research reactor must comply with the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, and 7 of Article 47 of this Law, Points a, b, c, đ, e, and g Clause 4 of Article 47 of this Law, and the requirement that the investor has sufficient capacity to ensure safe trial operation; operational personnel must be trained and certified appropriately; there must be a training program in accordance with the law.

2. The operation of a nuclear research reactor must comply with the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, and 4 of Article 48 of this Law.

3. In cases of long-term shutdown, the operating organization must develop a technical maintenance program including technical and administrative measures to ensure nuclear safety and nuclear security during the long-term shutdown period.

4. The termination of operations for a nuclear research reactor shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Clauses 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of Article 49 of this Law.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Chapter V

ANNOUNCEMENT, REPORTING, LICENSE ISSUANCE, INSPECTION, AUDIT AND VIOLATION HANDLING

Section 1

ANNOUNCEMENT, REPORTING, LICENSE ISSUANCE

Article 55. Notification and Declaration

1. Organizations and individuals with plans to carry out radiation work shall notify the competent state management agency for radiation safety and nuclear safety.

2. Organizations and individuals must declare to the authority issuing permits to conduct radiation work within ten working days from the date radioactive substances or radioactive waste with activity levels exceeding the declaration and permit exemption thresholds, radiation equipment with dose rates or maximum energy exceeding the declaration and permit exemption thresholds, nuclear source materials, nuclear materials, and nuclear equipment are present.

3. Organizations and individuals planning to transfer or assign radioactive sources must declare to the national radiation safety and nuclear safety agency within thirty days from the date of the transfer or assignment plan.

4. The Government shall stipulate the procedures and formalities for declarations, exemption thresholds for declarations and permits, and the form of notification.

Article 56. Issuance of Permits to Conduct Radiation Work and Registration Certificates for Supporting Services for Nuclear Energy Applications

1. Organizations and individuals conducting radiation work as prescribed in Article 14 of this Law must have a permit to conduct radiation work, except where exempted from obtaining such a permit according to the provisions of the Government.

2. Organizations and individuals carrying out supporting services for nuclear energy applications as prescribed in Article 15 of this Law must have a registration certificate for supporting services for nuclear energy applications.

3. Organizations and individuals submitting applications for permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications must pay fees as prescribed by laws on fees and charges.

4. The Government shall stipulate conditions, procedures, and formalities for issuing permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications, the authority to issue such permits and certificates, and their validity periods.

Article 57. Certificates

1. Individuals performing supporting services for nuclear energy applications as prescribed in Article 15 of this Law must hold a professional practice certificate for supporting services for nuclear energy applications.

2. Organizations and individuals submitting applications for radiation worker certificates and professional practice certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications must pay registration fees as prescribed by laws on fees and charges.

3. The Government shall stipulate positions requiring radiation worker certificates, conditions, procedures, formalities, authorities to issue, and validity periods for radiation worker certificates and professional practice certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications.

Article 58. Amendment, Supplement, Extension, and Revocation of Permits to Conduct Radiation Work and Registration Certificates for Supporting Services for Nuclear Energy Applications

1. Organizations and individuals wishing to amend, supplement, or extend permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications must submit applications to the competent state authority.

2. Organizations and individuals will have their permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications revoked in the following cases:

a) Failure to ensure radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security as prescribed by law, and failure to rectify administrative violations within the time limit set by the competent state authority;

b) Failure to ensure human resources and equipment for supporting services for nuclear energy applications within the time limit set by the competent state authority;

c) Non-compliance with the scope of activities for supporting services for nuclear energy applications as recorded in the registration certificate for supporting services for nuclear energy applications;

d) Forgery of documents in applications for permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications;

đ) Alteration or erasure of permit contents for conducting radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications, causing distortion of information;

e) Issuance of permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications beyond the authority or due to errors by the issuing authority;

g) Termination of radiation work or supporting services for nuclear energy applications, or being declared bankrupt by a court or having the business registration certificate revoked according to laws on enterprises.

3. Organizations and individuals whose permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications have been revoked may be considered for reissuance if they meet the legal requirements.

4. Organizations and individuals submitting applications for amendment, supplementation, extension of permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications must pay fees and registration fees as prescribed by laws on fees and charges.

5. The Government shall stipulate circumstances for amending and supplementing permits to conduct radiation work and registration certificates for supporting services for nuclear energy applications, authorities, procedures, and formalities for amending, supplementing, extending, and revoking such permits and certificates.

Section 2

INSPECTION, AUDIT AND VIOLATION HANDLING

Article 59. Radiation Safety and Nuclear Inspection

1. The scope and principles of radiation safety and nuclear inspection activities are stipulated as follows:

a) Radiation safety and nuclear inspection is the examination, evaluation, conclusion, and recommendation for handling by the competent inspection authority regarding compliance with laws on atomic energy; implementation of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member; adherence to rules, standards, technical regulations in the field of atomic energy by organizations and individuals operating in this field;

b) Radiation safety and nuclear inspection activities must comply with laws on inspection, laws on atomic energy, while ensuring the following requirements: conducted by inspectors who have knowledge of radiation safety and nuclear issues; equipped with specialized equipment suitable for the content of the inspection; inspection frequency corresponding to the scale, type of radiological work, and level of risk posed by radiological work; avoiding overlap in content, time, and subjects with nuclear surveillance activities.

2. Requirements for inspections of nuclear power plants include:

a) Ensuring the highest safety for people, the environment, and structures, systems, and parts related to the safety and security of nuclear power plants;

b) Adhering to the principles and requirements of the International Atomic Energy Agency and Vietnamese laws on radiation safety, nuclear safety, nuclear security, and nuclear surveillance;

c) Not interrupting the operation of nuclear power plants except in cases where there is a risk of affecting nuclear safety;

3. Contents of inspections of nuclear power plants include:

a) Compliance with regulations, standards, technical specifications, procedures on radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security in the design, construction, operation, maintenance, dismantling of nuclear power plant units, nuclear power plants; compliance with operational limits and conditions of permits;

b) Import, export, transportation, use, and storage of nuclear fuel;

c) The state of radiation safety within nuclear power plants and surrounding areas;

d) The integrity of reactor vessels, structures, systems, and parts related to reactor safety; the operational status of equipment ensuring safe reactor operation;

đ) Implementation of plans for responding to radiation incidents, nuclear incidents, including organizing drills and emergency response capabilities; fire prevention and firefighting systems and operations;

e) Work to ensure nuclear security, counter-terrorism measures; implementation of nuclear surveillance regulations;

g) Environmental radiation monitoring; environmental records, ecosystems, water, air affected by radioactive emissions, thermal discharges from nuclear power plants;

h) Management of radioactive waste, used nuclear fuel;

i) Other contents as prescribed by this Law;

4. Radiation safety and nuclear inspections must comply with the inspection regime as stipulated by laws on inspection and must be conducted urgently in the following cases:

a) Detection of abnormalities in radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security; monitoring, environmental radiation measurement results, technical inspections showing abnormal signs, exceeding permissible levels, or not conforming to approved safety conditions;

b) Detection of potential occurrence of radiation incidents, nuclear incidents; signs of loss of nuclear security or unauthorized use of nuclear materials;

c) Based on operational experience from similar nuclear power plants worldwide in terms of technology or operational conditions, and recommendations from the International Atomic Energy Agency, inspections must be carried out promptly to prevent similar incidents from occurring in Vietnam.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 60. Radiation and Nuclear Safety Inspection

1. The head of the state management agency in the field of atomic energy shall be responsible for organizing inspections to ensure compliance with policies and laws on atomic energy by agencies, organizations, and individuals under their jurisdiction.

2. Radiation and nuclear safety inspection activities must comply with procedures and inspection processes; be conducted by persons knowledgeable in radiation and nuclear safety; have specialized equipment suitable for the inspection content; ensure principles of democracy, transparency, objectivity, timeliness, and accuracy; not hinder the normal operations of the inspected entity and other related agencies, organizations, and individuals; and not overlap in content, time, or subjects with audit activities and nuclear inspections.

3. Requirements and contents of radiation and nuclear safety inspections for nuclear power plants shall be implemented according to Clause 2 and Clause 3 of Article 59 of this Law.

4. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Article 61. Handling Violations in the Field of Atomic Energy

1. Organizations and individuals committing violations in the field of atomic energy shall be subject to legal handling based on the nature, severity, and consequences of the violation.

2. Authorities with inspection and supervision powers have the right to require immediate rectification of situations or activities that pose a risk of compromising radiation safety, nuclear safety, and nuclear security; recommend suspension of partial or full operation of nuclear power plants; recover or recommend recovery of permits to conduct radiation work and registration for services supporting the application of atomic energy as stipulated in Article 58 of this Law.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this Article.

Chapter VI

 NUCLEAR INSPECTION

Article 62. General Requirements

1. Nuclear inspection activities on the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam shall be carried out by the International Atomic Energy Agency in coordination with the national focal point agency for nuclear inspection activities as provided for in Clause 2 of this Article, aimed at verifying compliance with international treaties on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear inspections to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member.

2. The National Radiation and Nuclear Safety Agency is the national focal point agency for nuclear inspection activities under international treaties on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear inspections to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member, and has the following responsibilities:

a) Ensuring provision of information to the International Atomic Energy Agency and performing other obligations as required by international treaties on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear inspections to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member;

b) Verifying information reported by organizations and individuals subject to nuclear inspections and checking compliance with Vietnamese laws on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear inspections, and relevant international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member;

c) Establishing and managing a national system for accounting and controlling nuclear materials, including data on nuclear inspections;

d) Receiving nominations and processing formalities to request competent authorities to approve and issue visas for international inspectors.

3. Organizations and individuals subject to nuclear inspections include:

a) Organizations and individuals managing nuclear facilities, storing and using nuclear materials, nuclear source materials, non-nuclear materials, and equipment specially designed and manufactured for use in the nuclear fuel cycle;

b) Organizations and individuals carrying out export and import of nuclear materials, nuclear source materials, non-nuclear materials, and equipment specially designed and manufactured for use in the nuclear fuel cycle;

c) Organizations and individuals conducting and planning to conduct research and implementation activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle, including activities that do not involve the use of nuclear materials.

4. Nuclear inspections must comply with Vietnamese laws and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a member and shall be conducted regularly, continuously, strictly, without hindering the normal operations of organizations and individuals.

5. The Government shall specify the responsibilities of Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and other related agencies in nuclear inspection activities and the mechanism for coordination among these agencies.

Article 63. Responsibilities of Organizations and Individuals Subject to Nuclear Safeguards

1. Organizations and individuals subject to nuclear safeguards shall be responsible for complying with the relevant laws and regulations on nuclear safeguards, physical protection of nuclear materials, and security measures for nuclear facilities, source materials, and nuclear materials, as well as other requirements stipulated by the Government.

2. Organizations and individuals subject to nuclear safeguards must ensure that international inspectors and representatives of the national radiation safety and nuclear agency can fully carry out nuclear safeguard activities and implement necessary technical measures to verify activities related to the nuclear fuel cycle in accordance with the law and international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

Article 64. International Inspectors

1. International inspectors nominated by the International Atomic Energy Agency to conduct international inspections in Vietnam shall be considered and approved by the competent state authorities of Vietnam. Approved international inspectors will be given priority in visa issuance according to the law on entry, exit, transit, and residence of foreigners in Vietnam.

2. International inspectors are permitted to access locations and facilities as provided for in international treaties on non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and nuclear safeguards to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party to conduct nuclear inspections.

3. During the period of conducting inspections in Vietnam, international inspectors must comply with the law and enjoy privileges and immunities as prescribed by Vietnamese law and relevant international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

Chapter VII

RESPONSE TO RADIATION INCIDENTS, NUCLEAR INCIDENTS AND COMPENSATION FOR RADIATION DAMAGE, NUCLEAR DAMAGE

Section 1

RESPONSE TO RADIATION INCIDENTS, NUCLEAR INCIDENTS

Article 65. General Requirements

1. A radiation incident is a situation involving loss of radiation safety and radioactive source security. The determination of the level of a radiation incident and the announcement thereof through mass media when a radiation incident occurs shall be carried out in accordance with the Government's regulations.

2. A nuclear incident is a situation involving loss of nuclear safety and nuclear material security, nuclear equipment security. The determination of the level of a nuclear incident and the announcement thereof through mass media when a nuclear incident occurs shall be carried out in accordance with the Government's regulations.

Article 66. Emergency Response Plans for Radiation Incidents and Nuclear Incidents

1. Emergency response plans for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents include facility-level emergency response plans, provincial-level emergency response plans, and national-level emergency response plans, and are defined as follows:

a) Facility-level emergency response plans for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents apply when a radiation incident or nuclear incident occurs at a facility.

b) Provincial-level emergency response plans for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents apply when a radiation incident or nuclear incident occurs in a locality or when the incident exceeds the response capability of the facility and extends beyond its premises.

c) National-level emergency response plans for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents are applied when a radiation incident or nuclear incident occurs at the national level or when the incident exceeds the response capability of the province and extends beyond its jurisdiction.

2. Emergency response plans for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents at all levels shall include the following main contents: organizational structure, anticipated scenarios of incidents, response strategies, resource mobilization plans, and organization of emergency response drills.

3. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on the development and approval of emergency response plans for radiation incidents and nuclear incidents at all levels, requirements for preparation and response to radiation incidents and nuclear incidents, and responsibilities of organizations and individuals involved when such incidents occur.

Article 67. Emergency Situations Involving Radiation and Nuclear Incidents

1. An emergency situation involving radiation and nuclear incidents is a particularly serious situation arising from the following circumstances:

a) A radiation incident or nuclear incident causing radioactive leakage, strong radioactive dispersion, severely affecting people and the external environment around radiation facilities and nuclear facilities over a wide area, with an impact range of one provincial administrative unit or more, or beyond national borders;

b) A radiation incident or nuclear incident occurring abroad, causing strong radioactive dispersion, severely affecting people and the environment at one or more localities in Vietnam.

2. The declaration of an emergency situation involving radiation and nuclear incidents shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of the law on emergency situations.

3. The Government shall stipulate special measures to be taken during an emergency situation involving radiation and nuclear incidents, in addition to the measures prescribed by the law on emergency situations.

Section 2

COMPENSATION FOR RADIATION DAMAGE AND NUCLEAR DAMAGE

Article 68. Compensation for Radiation Damage

1. Radiation damage refers to losses suffered by people, property, and the environment due to incidents related to radiation safety breaches, including costs incurred for remediation.

2. Liability for compensation, the amount of compensation, and the statute of limitations for claims for compensation for radiation damage shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of civil law.

Article 69. Compensation for Nuclear Damage

1. Nuclear damage refers to losses suffered by people, property, and the environment, including economic losses resulting from costs incurred for remediation caused by nuclear incidents occurring within the territory of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, including islands, archipelagos, seas, underground areas, and airspace.

2. The project investor or the organization operating the nuclear facility shall bear the following responsibilities:

a) Only the project investor during the trial operation phase or only the operating organization shall be responsible for nuclear damage occurring anywhere if there is evidence showing that such damage was caused by a nuclear incident at the nuclear facility of the investor or operating organization;

b) Responsibility for nuclear damage caused by stolen, lost, discarded, or abandoned nuclear materials shall lie with the final authorized organization possessing such materials;

c) Responsibility for nuclear damage shall apply wherever damage occurs.

3. During the transportation of nuclear materials, the organization sending the nuclear materials shall be responsible for nuclear damage until the receiving organization has accepted the nuclear materials, except where both parties have agreed in writing to transfer responsibility to another phase of transportation or to the transport organization at its request. If responsibility is transferred to the transport organization, it shall bear the same responsibility as the operating organization specified in Clause 2 of this Article.

4. The organization operating the nuclear facility must compensate for nuclear damage even without fault, except in cases where the incident is caused by war or terrorism. The organization operating the nuclear facility may be exempted from all or part of its liability for compensation if it can prove that the damage was caused intentionally or through negligence by the person suffering the damage.

5. The level of compensation for which the project investor or the organization operating the nuclear facility is responsible, and the total amount of compensation for a single nuclear incident, shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the law and international treaties on civil liability for nuclear damage to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a party.

6. Compensation for nuclear damage shall be carried out based on the following principles:

a) The nature, form, scope, and allocation of compensation shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of atomic energy law;

b) In cases where the claim for compensation exceeds or is likely to exceed the total amount of compensation for a single nuclear incident, priority shall be given to compensating for loss of life or personal injury, and once all such claims are satisfied, other claims will be addressed.

7. The statute of limitations for claims for compensation for nuclear damage is thirty years for damage to life and health, and ten years for other damages, calculated from the date of the nuclear incident.

8. The jurisdiction for resolving claims for compensation for nuclear damage shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of civil procedure law and other relevant laws.

9. The Government shall provide detailed regulations for Clause 5 and Clause 6 of this Article.

Article 70. Financial Guarantee

1. The project investor or the organization operating the nuclear facility must purchase and maintain insurance or provide other forms of financial guarantee to fully fulfill the responsibility for compensating nuclear damage at the level of nuclear damage compensation that the project investor or the organization operating the nuclear facility is responsible for in case of a nuclear accident as prescribed in Clause 5, Article 69 of this Law.

2. When applying for an operating permit for a nuclear facility, the project investor or the organization operating the nuclear facility must provide information and documents to prove that the national radiation and nuclear safety agency approves the financial guarantee conditions as stipulated in Clause 1 of this Article.

3. The owner of the nuclear facility must facilitate the organization operating the nuclear facility to ensure financial guarantees for compensating nuclear damage when the owner of the nuclear facility is not simultaneously the organization operating the nuclear facility.

4. In cases where actual damage exceeds the level of compensation for which the project investor or the organization operating the nuclear facility is responsible, the State will ensure payment for the excess amount, but not exceeding the total compensation level for one nuclear accident.

5. The Government shall provide detailed regulations on this matter.

Chapter VIII

IMPLEMENTING PROVISIONS

Article 71. Amending, Supplementing, Abolishing Certain Articles and Clauses of Related Laws

1. Amend and supplement Item 17, Section III, Appendix No. 01 on the List of Fees and Charges issued together with the Law on Fees and Charges No. 97/2015/QH13, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 09/2017/QH14, Law No. 23/2018/QH14, Law No. 72/2020/QH14, Law No. 16/2023/QH15, Law No. 20/2023/QH15, Law No. 24/2023/QH15, Law No. 33/2024/QH15, Law No. 35/2024/QH15, Law No. 47/2024/QH15, Law No. 60/2024/QH15, and Law No. 74/2025/QH15 as follows: 17 Fee for issuing radiation worker certificates Ministry of Finance

2. Abolish Item 25 in Appendix II on the List of Technical and Specialized Planning Documents issued together with the Law on Planning No. 21/2017/QH14, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 15/2023/QH15, Law No. 16/2023/QH15, Law No. 28/2023/QH15, Law No. 31/2024/QH15, Law No. 35/2024/QH15, Law No. 38/2024/QH15, Law No. 43/2024/QH15, and Law No. 57/2024/QH15.

3. Amend and supplement Point a, Clause 10, Article 5 of the Electricity Law No. 61/2024/QH15 as follows:

"a) Nuclear power development is determined as a strategic component in national electricity development to ensure the goal of electricity supply security;"

Article 72. Effective Date

1. This Law shall take effect from January 1, 2026.

2. The Atomic Energy Law No. 18/2008/QH12, which has been amended and supplemented by some articles according to Law No. 35/2018/QH14, shall cease to be effective from the date this Law takes effect, except for the provisions in Clauses 2, 3, and 4 of Article 73 of this Law.

Article 73. Transitional Provisions

1. Special mechanisms and policies for investment and construction of nuclear power projects and research reactor projects issued before the effective date of this Law shall continue to be implemented until replaced, supplemented, or abolished by another legal document or by a competent authority.

2. Organizations and individuals who have been granted permits to carry out radiation work or registration for atomic energy application support services before the effective date of this Law may continue to operate until the expiration date stated in their permits or registrations. If they were exempted from radiation work permits before the effective date of this Law, they will continue to be exempted.

3. In cases where organizations and individuals have submitted applications for permits to carry out radiation work, registration for atomic energy application support services, or certificates for such services and radiation workers before the effective date of this Law, but have not yet received their permits, registrations, or certificates, the issuance of these documents shall continue to be governed by the laws on atomic energy in force prior to the effective date of this Law.

4. Nuclear power projects that have been approved for investment before the effective date of this Law shall be carried out according to the national electricity development plan if other plans at the same level, regional plans, provincial plans, or technical and specialized plans have not been updated, adjusted, or supplemented.

5. Within two years from the effective date of this Law, in cases where related laws, resolutions of the National Assembly, decrees, resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly have not been amended or supplemented, the Government shall issue regulatory legal documents to promptly adjust and resolve difficulties and obstacles in the field of atomic energy as prescribed in relevant articles, clauses, and points, ensuring consistency in the application of laws. The Government shall regularly report to the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; in cases where the content of adjustment relates to laws or resolutions of the National Assembly, it shall report to the National Assembly at the nearest session.

This Law was adopted by the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the 15th term, the 9 session on the 27th day of 6 2025.