Vietnam and Russia have signed an agreement to construct the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant, marking Vietnam's revival of its nuclear energy program aimed at enhancing energy security and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This deal, signed on Monday during Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính's visit to Moscow and his meeting with Russian counterpart Mikhail Mishustin, involves building two Russian-designed reactors with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts. The project, described as a "symbolic project" of bilateral friendship, comes after previous nuclear initiatives were halted in 2016 due to cost and safety concerns. The renewed push for nuclear power is driven by heightened energy security worries, particularly following the global energy shortage exacerbated by the war in Iran, which has increased fossil fuel costs and underscored Vietnam's need for stable, long-term energy solutions.