CONCEPT NOTE

VIETNAM HYDROGEN LEGAL & REGULATORY FORUM 2026

Legal Framework, Standards and Compliance for Hydrogen Development in Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City, April 12, 2026

1. Background

On 7 February 2024, the Prime Minister of Vietnam issued Decision No. 165/QD-TTg approving the National Hydrogen Energy Development Strategy to 2030, with Vision to 2050, identifying hydrogen as a strategic pillar in Vietnam’s long-term energy transition roadmap.

However, despite this strategic direction, Vietnam currently lacks a dedicated and comprehensive legal and regulatory framework for hydrogen development. Hydrogen project developers and investors continue to face significant uncertainty regarding:

• Legal classification of hydrogen under Vietnamese law
• Licensing and permitting requirements for hydrogen projects
• Regulations governing hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and use
• Absence of hydrogen-specific technical standards and safety codes
• Lack of certification mechanisms for green / low-carbon hydrogen
• Limited legal guidance on hydrogen/ammonia logistics, export-import, and carbon accounting

In light of these challenges, a focused industry dialogue is needed to bring together policymakers, industry leaders, legal experts, and academia to discuss pathways for establishing a bankable hydrogen regulatory framework in Vietnam.

2. Objectives

• Provide a comprehensive review of Vietnam’s current legal and regulatory framework relevant to hydrogen
• Identify regulatory gaps and implementation barriers affecting hydrogen project development
• Share international legal and policy best practices for hydrogen market development
• Facilitate dialogue among regulators, investors, developers, legal experts, and academia
• Generate practical policy recommendations to support hydrogen sector growth in Vietnam

3. Event Information

Event Title:
Vietnam Hydrogen Legal & Regulatory Forum 2026

Tentative Dates:

• Option 1: Friday, 29 May 2026
• Option 2: Friday, 12 June 2026

Time: 08:30 – 11:30
Format: Half-Day In-Person Seminar
Expected Attendance: 50 Delegates
Language: English / Vietnamese with interpretation if required

4. Organizers

Lead Organizer

Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC)

Academic Co-Host

[Proposed Leading Law University in Vietnam]
(e.g. Ho Chi Minh City University of Law / Hanoi Law University)

Knowledge Partners

Leading Domestic and International Law / Advisory Firms
(Examples: Baker McKenzie, VILAF, YKVN, DFDL, Frasers, Deloitte Legal, PwC Legal, KPMG, TÜV SÜD)

5. Roles and Responsibilities

5.1. VAHC – Lead Organizer

• Lead development of event concept, strategic direction, and overall agenda
• Invite hydrogen industry stakeholders, project developers, investors, EPCs, technology providers, and regulators from Vietnam and international markets
• Mobilize VAHC member network and strategic partners for attendance
• Coordinate event branding, marketing, communications, and registration
• Moderate and manage overall event execution

5.2. Law University – Academic Co-Host

• Provide venue / seminar hall for approximately 50 attendees
• Arrange event logistics including AV equipment, projector, microphones, seating, and venue support
• Provide tea break / refreshments for participants
• Support on-site registration and hosting logistics
• Contribute academic credibility and institutional co-branding

5.3. Law / Advisory Firms – Knowledge Partners

• Prepare and deliver legal / regulatory presentations
• Lead substantive discussions on hydrogen-related laws, permitting, compliance, and standards
• Moderate and facilitate legal / regulatory panel discussion
• Share international comparative legal and regulatory perspectives
• Support development of post-event recommendations / white paper if applicable

6. Proposed Agenda

7. Target Participants

• Ministry of Industry and Trade
• Ministry of Science and Technology
• Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment
• Ministry of Construction
• EVN, PVN, PV GAS, PV Power
• Hydrogen / ammonia / PtX project developers
• Renewable energy developers
• Investors / Financial Institutions / Funds
• EPC Contractors / OEMs / Technology Providers
• Certification / Standards Organizations
• Universities / Research Institutes
• Industry Associations / International Organizations

8. Expected Outcomes

• Establish Vietnam’s premier legal and regulatory forum dedicated to hydrogen
• Identify priority regulatory reforms needed for hydrogen investment
• Generate policy recommendations / white paper for relevant authorities
• Strengthen collaboration among industry, academia, and legal community
• Reinforce VAHC’s role as a leading hydrogen policy dialogue platform in Vietnam

9. Value Proposition for Partners

Participation as Co-Host / Knowledge Partner provides:

• Positioning as a leading advisor in hydrogen and energy transition law in Vietnam
• Branding across all event materials, media and event backdrop
• Direct engagement with hydrogen investors, developers, and policymakers
• Opportunity to demonstrate thought leadership in an emerging strategic sector
• Contribution to shaping Vietnam’s future hydrogen regulatory framework

10. Partnership Invitation

VAHC respectfully invites your organization to join the Forum as:

• Academic Co-Host
• Legal Knowledge Partner
• Strategic Advisory Partner
• Session Sponsor / Supporting Sponsor

Contact:
Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC)
VAHC Secretariat email: contact@vahc.com.vn