To deploy the nuclear power program effectively and sustainably, it is necessary to build scientific and technological capacity, in which specialized human resources for operation, research and development are the biggest gaps that must be filled.

Talking to VnExpress about the work that needs to be prepared when Vietnam restarts the nuclear power program, Dr. Tran Chi Thanh, Director of the Vietnam Atomic Energy Institute (Vinatom), said that building a new plant is the first step. To operate nuclear energy safely and effectively in the long term, Vietnam needs to synchronously develop scientific and technological capacity, training and management.

- You once said that developing nuclear power is not just about building a factory but also needs an ecosystem, what are the specific factors?

- Lessons from developed countries on nuclear power show that three main pillars are needed. The first is nuclear power plants - building, implementing projects and putting them into operation according to the requirements of investors. Second, regulatory agencies set requirements, evaluate, inspect and monitor to ensure human and environmental safety. Third is the research and development pillar, research institutes and universities advise, analyze and answer issues related to technology and nuclear safety raised by projects or management agencies.

In the context of new operating technologies developing, previously unknown risks will appear, so scientists need to learn, predict and propose ways to control.

Research and development also plays a role in creating the next generation of human resources for the nuclear power program. Participating in research, young staff learn from previous experts, accumulate experience and develop expertise. Research institutes and universities therefore not only provide scientific and technological support to nuclear power plants and management agencies, but also serve as a place to train and supplement the team of experts in the long term.

The factory is just the starting point. To operate safely and effectively over many generations, an ecosystem is needed in which investment, management, research and development complement each other.

- What forces can immediately participate in nuclear power projects and what is the biggest gap?

- Vinatom currently has research groups on nuclear power technology and safety and a team of experts and advisors trained in Russia and some other countries. These are people who can participate in consulting and basic training on nuclear power.

However, it is necessary to distinguish between human resources for the atomic energy industry in general, research and application of atomic energy, and specialized human resources for nuclear power operation, research, and development. This is the biggest gap. It is necessary to build a team of key engineers with experience at nuclear power plants and expand the research team capable of analyzing technology, evaluating safety and solving in-depth technical problems.

Vietnam is in the early stages of preparing human resources

- Nuclear power human resource training requires high requirements and is multi-disciplinary, so where is Vietnam in the preparation process?

- 10 years is the training period for key operations teams, according to the experience of some developed countries in nuclear power. First, the university level provides a foundation, lasting about 4-6 years. After that, learners continue with advanced, in-depth courses and training on the simulation system. Once you have completed the test and can solve hypothetical problems on the simulation system, you will need a few more years of internship at the factory before you can take on the position.

This process is accompanied by continuous selection, not everyone who graduates can enter the reactor control room. To hold a key position, an engineer must deeply understand furnace operations and demonstrate the ability to handle operating situations, especially troubleshooting.

If there is an abnormality or problem such as a broken pipe or pump failure, a good operator will know how to handle it and not let the problem progress. Ignorant operators, lack of background knowledge and skills in handling situations will make the problem more serious. Currently, AI-based simulation, calculation, situation analysis, and guidance tools will effectively support the operating process. However, the role of humans is extremely important. The Chernobyl incident is a typical example.

A nuclear power project lasts many generations, the team needs to be continuously supplemented, so it is necessary to build domestic human resources. Currently, we are still in the early stages of preparing human resources for nuclear power.

Regarding the available team, more than 300 officers have been trained in Russia on nuclear power. However, most of them changed jobs when the nuclear power program stopped. It is estimated that 20-30% can be mobilized. This group also does not have much practical experience with the factory and needs retraining if they want to be put into operating positions.

Regarding new training, there is a project to train and foster human resources to serve nuclear power development until 2035 according to Decision No. 1012/QD-TTg dated May 26, 2025 of the Prime Minister, but it is important to listen to expert opinions and jointly develop effective implementation plans.

A factory like Ninh Thuan 1 needs about 1,000 engineers, of which 200-300 directly operate the furnace, the rest are in charge of auxiliary systems. With Vietnam's current needs and capabilities, it is recommended to build a training program on Nuclear Power Technology - Nuclear Engineering - for key staff at one or two of the best technical schools, with a strong background in physics, chemistry, automation, mechanical engineering, alloy steel materials... Vinatom team can cooperate to train specialized nuclear subjects such as nuclear physics, reactor physics, nuclear power technology, nuclear power safety.

- If dividing human resource needs by each field, what are the training priority groups?

- The first is to train operators. In the immediate future, there are no nuclear power technology departments in the country. They can be sent abroad and after 4-6 years we will have a highly and methodically trained team.

Second is the need to train state management officials. For this group, it is recommended to start immediately with domestic training courses. The team of experts at Vinatom is qualified to build and implement these initial courses. Short-term study, under the guidance of Vietnamese experts, is also the most accessible way for working officials.

Finally, a necessary but more long-term goal is groups of safety management experts with good technical backgrounds and leading researchers in nuclear power. We can select candidates with natural science backgrounds for domestic training. In the process, we will find the best people, as well as the in-depth research directions suitable for them, to send to the leading research institutes and universities on nuclear power in the world.

It is necessary to determine that financial investment, including time spent studying and working at foreign research facilities, is necessary to create leading experts in Vietnam.

Need to follow international standards

- How should a university training program be built to meet the requirements of the nuclear power program?

- Among the 11 human resource training establishments serving nuclear power development by 2035, we should only focus on building a Nuclear Technology program and training key engineers at one or two schools with the strongest technical foundation. The remaining facilities can train engineers and technicians to operate auxiliary systems - mechanical, chemical, electrical engineering, automatic control, and radioactive waste management. This group only needs to have a basic understanding of nuclear energy.

Regarding the training program, it must follow international standards, refer to the world's leading universities on nuclear power training from Russia, the US, and developed countries. Currently, the curriculum standard lacks core nuclear content such as neutron physics, reactor theory and reactor dynamics, flow mechanics, and heat transfer. These subjects help engineers understand the processes taking place in the furnace and related systems. To create a team of qualified engineers to participate in nuclear power projects, it is necessary to ensure program quality, then find teaching options that can meet that demand.

Can combine the strengths of universities, research institutes and international partners. Schools with strengths in engineering and natural sciences provide multidisciplinary foundations, and research institutes participate in in-depth nuclear content. Domestic courses that do not meet teaching capacity can cooperate internationally.

- In a specific field such as nuclear power, what mechanism is needed to develop high-quality research human resources?

- First of all, we must effectively use the human resources available in the country, although the current quantity is not much. In the field of nuclear physics, we have well-trained, capable and dedicated staff. It is necessary to give them jobs with the right expertise, tasks capable of developing capacity, and conditions for infrastructure and investment to build strong research groups.

Income is an important factor, but the working environment also determines whether a person will stick with a nuclear career or not. Scientists need problems to solve, colleagues to cooperate with, and conditions to do their work.

When domestic research groups operate well, they will know what capacity is lacking and how international cooperation is needed to supplement it. Thus, the recruitment of experts from abroad has specific goals and the invited people can also develop their specialized capabilities.

Remuneration policies also need to take into account reasonableness in a work group. If the gap is too large between domestic people and people attracted from abroad, even though they participate in the same work, it will be difficult to create motivation for long-term cooperation, especially teamwork.

Nam Nguyen

• 'Vietnam implementing a nuclear power program is a long-term strategic task'