On the afternoon of September 26, 2025, at the Saigon Hotel – Ho Chi Minh City, an international conference was jointly organized by Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE), the Vietnam–ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC), and United Hydrogen (UH2), under the theme “United Hydrogen – Integrating Hydrogen into the Industrialization Process of Vietnam and ASEAN.”
Figure 1 – United Hydrogen Conference: Integrating Hydrogen into the Industrialization Process of Vietnam and ASEAN
The conference was honored to welcome representatives from the leadership of VAHC, UH2, and HCMUNRE, along with the participation of numerous experts, scholars, policymakers, business representatives, and financial institutions. In particular, the event attracted many major corporations, enterprises, and organizations from both domestic and international sectors, including PV Gas, the Vietnam Petroleum Institute, Trung Nam Group, Phuoc An Port, Dat Do Industrial Park, Indel Petro, Nippon Koei, Wisdom Motor, as well as companies in the steel, cement, logistics, and transportation industries, and prominent financial institutions such as Agribank.
The discussions and presentations at the conference focused on key topics, including the implementation of hydrogen solutions in industrial decarbonization; research and application of hydrogen-based mobility solutions in transportation and manufacturing; introduction of ongoing hydrogen development projects in Vietnam; and opportunities for international cooperation through financial support mechanisms, particularly within bilateral and multilateral partnership frameworks. These discussions not only carried academic significance but also offered strong practical value, laying the groundwork for concrete collaborative projects in the near future.
Figure 2 – Overview of the working session
Within the framework of the conference, the roundtable discussion themed “Hydrogen Development Orientation in Industry Toward a Greener and Cleaner Vietnam and ASEAN” took place in an engaging and dynamic atmosphere, attracting the active participation of experts, policymakers, and business representatives. The session focused on clarifying various important aspects while opening up potential avenues for collaboration among relevant stakeholders. The detailed discussion topics included:
- Topic 1 – Technological Challenges and Opportunities:
The discussion focused on identifying suitable hydrogen solutions for the contexts of Vietnam and ASEAN. Key issues highlighted included the high cost of technology, the lack of synchronized storage and distribution infrastructure, and the need for a stable supply of green hydrogen.
- Topic 2 – Green Transportation and Urban Applications:
Experts analyzed the potential for deploying hydrogen-powered bus systems in major cities such as Ho Chi Minh City, seeing this as a strong opportunity for public–private partnerships. The discussion not only covered vehicle supply but also addressed route planning, refueling station networks, as well as integrated operation and maintenance frameworks.
- Topic 3 – Investment and Legal Environment for Domestic Projects:
Domestic project developers emphasized major obstacles in project implementation, including complex legal procedures, unclear regulations, and inconsistency in policy frameworks. These bottlenecks must be resolved to stimulate investment flows into the hydrogen sector.
- Topic 4 – Financial Support and International Cooperation:
Delegates discussed Japan’s Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) and other green finance initiatives. Criteria for Vietnamese enterprises to access international funding include technical feasibility, sustainable development assurance, and transparency in project reporting.
- Topic 5 – National Policies and Strategic Directions:
The Vietnam Petroleum Institute shared insights on the crucial role of policy in shaping the hydrogen market. Participants emphasized the need for breakthrough policies and concrete incentives to promote green hydrogen production within the next 3–5 years, gradually replacing grey hydrogen and establishing a competitive market.
- Topic 6 – Role of Associations and Value Chain Linkages:
The Vietnam–ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) was recognized as a key hub connecting businesses, research institutes, and regulatory bodies. Priority plans include building a domestic hydrogen equipment supply chain, forming a regional cooperation network, and developing a high-quality workforce for this emerging industry.
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Figure 3 – Speakers delivering their presentations
Through the organization of this conference, the Organizing Committee places high expectations on establishing a prestigious and influential international forum — a gathering place for leading experts, policymakers, scholars, and business communities from both Vietnam and abroad. This platform serves as a vital academic and practical space for all stakeholders to exchange experiences, update the latest knowledge, and engage in in-depth discussions on emerging trends, challenges, and development solutions in the hydrogen sector — one of the key pillars of the future energy landscape.
Beyond the exchange of information, the conference also acts as a bridge to promote technology transfer, open up strategic cooperation opportunities, and attract sustainable investment resources for the hydrogen industry in Vietnam and the ASEAN region. The event carries great significance in supporting greenhouse gas emission reduction, contributing to carbon neutrality goals, protecting ecological environments, and enhancing economic competitiveness — thereby moving the region closer toward a green and circular development model.
With a long-term and strategic vision, the conference marks an important milestone, demonstrating Vietnam’s determination and pioneering role in joining the international community on the journey to build a sustainable hydrogen economy. This event not only reaffirms Vietnam’s proactive efforts to deeply integrate into the global energy transition but also highlights its strong commitment to fostering a future of balanced, inclusive, and sustainable development for the region and the world.
Figure 4 – Group photo of representatives from participating organizations
At the conclusion of the roundtable discussion, participants reached a consensus that success can only be achieved through a comprehensive and coordinated approach: selecting appropriate and cost-effective technological solutions; developing infrastructure in a phased roadmap; enhancing legal transparency to attract private investment and leverage international green finance; enacting breakthrough policies to establish a competitive hydrogen market; and strengthening collaboration among the government, enterprises, research institutions, while expanding international partnerships. The Organizing Committee expressed its sincere gratitude to all speakers and participants for their valuable contributions, and expressed hope that today’s discussions will pave the way for concrete cooperation opportunities — jointly advancing the integration of hydrogen into the industrialization process of Vietnam and the ASEAN region.