Khanh Hoa, June 12 -- Two remote communes in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, long marked by sand dunes, sparse population and scant economic opportunities, are on the cusp of an industrial transformation after being tapped to host the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plants.

Betting on a breakthrough

Phuoc Dinh and Vinh Hai, two newly merged communes, came into existence on July 1, 2025 under a National Assembly Standing Committee resolution reshuffling Khanh Hoa's commune-level administrative units.

Post-merger, Phuoc Dinh spans roughly 154 sq.km, comprises 13 residential areas, and is home to about 35,300 people, with ethnic minorities making up around 7%. The commune is designated a key economic zone in t...