The Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plants in Dong Nai province, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Petrovietnam.

The release noted that site clearance and land handovers for grid projects related to the Nhon Trach 3 and Nhon Trach 4 thermal power plants and Tri An hydropower plant expansion project (in the southern province of Dong Nai) have not been completed per the Deputy PM's order.

Meanwhile, the selection of investors for LNG-fired power projects remains very slow; and the progress of under-construction projects shows risks of delay, Son was quoted as saying following a meeting of the National Steering Committee for Key Energy Projects.

He asked municipal and provincial People’s Committees to closely coordinate with the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) and the Ministry of Finance to complete the selection of investors for energy projects by Q4/2025.

Among such projects are the LNG-to-power plants Nghi Son (Thanh Hoa province), Ca Na (Khanh Hoa province), and Quynh Lap (Nghe An province).

For projects that already have investors, the committees must request the investors to develop detailed implementation plans with clear timelines and report to the committees and the MoIT for monitoring.

LNG-fueled power projects like LNG Quang Ninh, LNG Thai Binh, LNG Hai Lang Phase 1, LNG Bac Lieu, LNG Nghi Son, LNG Ca Na, LNG Quynh Lap, LNG Hai Phong phases 1 and 2, and LNG Cong Thanh must have their difficulties removed and progress speeded up. Removal of difficulties must be completed by October 2025.

The MoIT was assigned to draft a National Assembly resolution on mechanisms and policies to remove obstacles for national energy development in 2026-2030. It will draft a mechanism for strict handling of investors who register to develop energy projects but are slow or fail to implement them, affecting national energy security.

Bottlenecks must be resolved to upgrade the Ky Ha Port for condensate export and a gas pipeline through the Chu Lai International Airport (in the former Quang Nam province, now part of Danang city) within October 2025.

An illustration of the O Mon power center in Can Tho city, Mekong Delta region, southern Vietnam. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

The Deputy PM required Petrovietnam to focus on implementing the 2025 offshore installation campaign for the Block B-O Mon gas and power project chain in Can Tho city, ensuring progress, and prepare for drilling in Q2/2026 to achieve first gas flows no later than Q3/2027.

Petrovietnam must urgently complete procedures and submit the feasibility study of the O Mon 3 thermal power plant project to the Ministry of Finance for approval so that its members' council can decide on investment. This work is set for completion before October 15, 2025.

The group was requested to speed up the construction of O Mon 4 project after its commencement. It must submit the development plan of the Ca Voi Xanh (Blue Whale) gas field project for approval within October 2025.

Procedures must be completed for approving the feasibility study of the Son My LNG-to-power chain (located in the former Binh Thuan province, now part of Lam Dong) as a basis for implementing the Son My 1 and Son My 2 thermal power plants. Results must be reported within October 2025.

For power source and grid projects by state utility Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the Deputy PM asked for the Quang Trach 2 thermal power plant project (in the former Quang Binh province, now part of Quang Tri) to begin coal-firing for power generation in November 2025 and generate electricity on the grid in December 2025. Project completion is set for 2029.

EVN will have to complete all procedures for the Quang Trach 2 LNG thermal power plant to begin construction in December 2025 and complete in 2029.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment was missioned to coordinate with relevant ministries and agencies to immediately implement surveys of offshore wind power projects per regulations, ensuring no impact on the general progress of these projects. Results must be reported within October 2025.