COP30 Amazônia BELÉM Brazil 2025 Series, COPs, HYDROGEN, AND THE NET ZERO JOURNEY
From Global Commitments to Vietnam’s Action Plan
Ngo Khuyen, Vietnam Business Forum
From the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) — beginning with COP21 in Paris (2015) and most recently COP28 in Dubai (2025) — the world has undergone a decade of transformational climate action. At the heart of this transformation lies green hydrogen, emerging as the “technological key” to the new energy era and the achievement of net-zero emissions.
For Vietnam, its Net Zero commitment announced at COP26 in Glasgow (2021) marked a turning point in national energy strategy — opening the path toward developing a national hydrogen economy aligned with global sustainability goals.
Global Momentum for the Energy Transition
COPs have become the world’s foremost diplomatic platform for climate action, uniting nations in a shared mission to accelerate the green transition. Hydrogen — serving both as an energy carrier and a bridge between renewable power generation and industrial application — is increasingly recognized as a critical enabler in the global low-carbon system.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global investment in clean hydrogen could reach USD 130 billion by 2030, with green hydrogen produced from renewable electricity projected to reduce global CO₂ emissions by up to 20% by mid-century.
Vietnam’s Commitments and Strategic Direction
As one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Vietnam has demonstrated strong determination through its national policies and international cooperation. At COP26, Vietnam joined the Energy Transition Partnership (ETP) to mobilize finance, promote technology transfer, and advance policy frameworks supporting clean energy development.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) has organized multiple policy dialogues and technical conferences on hydrogen development, and established a National Hydrogen Task Force to formulate legal frameworks and pilot project roadmaps.
Vietnam’s strategy envisions a comprehensive hydrogen economy — encompassing production, storage, transportation, and utilization of green hydrogen — alongside the development of supporting infrastructure, safety standards, and certification systems.
Regional and International Cooperation
To date, over 40 countries have released national hydrogen strategies, including Japan, South Korea, Australia, and Saudi Arabia. Vietnam is strengthening cooperation with these partners through platforms such as the Vietnam–Australia Hydrogen Workshop, the ASEAN Hydrogen Partnership, and bilateral projects supported by JICA, GIZ, and the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Vietnamese enterprises — including PetroVietnam, PV Gas, BOG Energy, T&T Group, Pacific Group, and the Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) — are actively engaging in research and investment in green hydrogen and green ammonia projects, with a long-term vision to export clean energy to Japan and South Korea within the next decade.
Building a National Hydrogen Ecosystem
Developing a national hydrogen value chain is not merely a technological ambition but a strategic pillar of Vietnam’s energy transition. Through public–private partnerships, the country aims to establish hydrogen industrial clusters in the Central and Southern regions, integrating renewable energy generation, hydrogen production, green ammonia, and clean fuels.
Experts agree that Vietnam’s Net Zero 2050 journey will be driven by the formation of a green hydrogen ecosystem — a synergy between technological innovation, international cooperation, and domestic industrial capability.
Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh, Chairman of the Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC), affirmed:
“Hydrogen is not only the energy of the future but also an opportunity for Vietnam to redefine its position in the global energy value chain — toward a green, self-reliant, and sustainable economy.”
