HCMUNRE Positions Itself as the Premier Hub for Vietnam's Hydrogen Workforce
HO CHI MINH CITY – In a decisive move to address one of the most critical barriers to Vietnam's green energy ambitions, the Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE) has unveiled a comprehensive roadmap to become the leading training center for the hydrogen industry in Southern Vietnam. The announcement was made by Dr. Tran Thanh Tam, Vice Head of the Scientific Research Department, during the recent Vietnam-ASEAN Hydrogen Human Resources Workshop 2025.
Framing hydrogen as a foundational pillar for achieving Vietnam's Net Zero 2050 commitment, developing a green industry, and boosting energy exports, Dr. Tam identified the acute shortage of a skilled workforce as the single greatest challenge—and opportunity—for the nation and the wider ASEAN region.
A University Ready for a New Mission
Leveraging over 20 years of expertise in environment, renewable energy, and industrial safety, HCMUNRE is strategically poised to answer this call. The university emphasized its three core missions: Training, Research, and Industry Collaboration, asserting its unique suitability to develop hydrogen programs from foundational theory to practical application.
"A skilled workforce is the engine of the hydrogen economy. Without it, even the most ambitious projects and investments will stall," Dr. Tam stated. "HCMUNRE is committed to building this engine for Vietnam."
A Three-Phase Roadmap to a Hydrogen-Powered Future (2025-2030)
The university presented a clear, phased strategy to systematically build human resource capacity:
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Phase 1 (2025-2026): Laying the Foundation
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Develop six foundational modules covering Hydrogen Basics, Safety, Storage, Fuel Cells, and Electrolyzers.
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Establish a state-of-the-art Hydrogen Lab & Safety Simulation Centre.
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Launch two vocational certificate programs: "Hydrogen Safety & Operation" and "Electrolyzer Technician."
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Phase 2 (2026-2028): Scaling Up
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Introduce a full, dedicated undergraduate major in "Hydrogen Engineering & Technology."
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Phase 3 (2028-2030): Going Global
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Aim to export high-quality human resources to the ASEAN and Asia-Pacific regions, establishing Vietnam as a key talent provider.
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Applied Research and a Robust Industry Partnership Model
To ensure graduates are industry-ready, HCMUNRE outlined key applied research directions, including safety modeling for hydrogen transport, developing green materials for electrolyzers, producing hydrogen from solar and wind power, and conducting environmental impact assessments for the entire hydrogen value chain.
The collaboration model is designed for deep industry integration:
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Education & Upskilling: Short-term courses on safety and maintenance.
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Research & Innovation: Enterprise-commissioned research projects.
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Internships & On-the-Job Training: Direct pipeline of students to real-world projects.
Highlighting its immediate capacity, HCMUNRE announced that over 500 students will be available for hydrogen-related internships starting in 2026, drawn from an annual pool of nearly 2,000 engineering, environment, and energy students.
Forging International Alliances for Regional Impact
Looking beyond national borders, the university laid out ambitious plans for international cooperation with partners from Germany, Korea, and Singapore. These include:
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Joint curriculum development.
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Collaborative research on Hydrogen Valleys and Green Industrial Parks.
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Expert exchange programs in safety and technology.
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The creation of an ASEAN Hydrogen Scholarship Program.
A Call to Action: "Let's Build Vietnam's Hydrogen Workforce Together"
Concluding his presentation, Dr. Tam issued a powerful call for strategic partnerships with businesses, financial institutions, and international organizations. He invited collaboration through:
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Co-developing training and education programs.
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Sponsoring laboratories and scholarships.
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Providing internship opportunities and applied research projects.
With its clear strategy, phased roadmap, and strong foundational capacity, HCMUNRE is not merely preparing for the hydrogen era but is actively working to shape it, positioning itself as an indispensable educational partner in Vietnam's and ASEAN's clean energy future.
