INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON VIETNAM AND ASEAN'S HYDROGEN ROADMAP ON DECEMBER 5 2025

On December 5th, 2025, the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) and the Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) successfully co-hosted the International Conference "Vietnam and ASEAN’s Hydrogen Pathways in the Global Landscape". The conference served as a vital academic-industrial forum, connecting global experts with Vietnamese policymakers, researchers, and businesses to outline a comprehensive and practical pathway for the green hydrogen industry.

OPENING SESSION: AN INEVITABLE TREND AND STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY

The conference was chaired by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong (IUH) and Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh (Chairman of VAHC).

• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Dam Sao Mai, Vice President of IUH, emphasized the university's commitment to training high-quality human resources and conducting applied research, ready to support the development of the new energy sector in Vietnam.

• Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh shared VAHC's vision of promoting the hydrogen ecosystem by connecting businesses, scientists, and policymakers. He noted that despite numerous challenges, Vietnam possesses significant renewable energy potential and strong industrial demand, forming a solid foundation for green hydrogen development.

IN-DEPTH PRESENTATIONS: FROM GLOBAL STRATEGIES TO LOCAL APPLICATIONS

1. Dr. Hao Ngo (NEUMAN & ESSER Group, Germany) - “Global Synergies: Unlocking Vietnam’s Hydrogen Potential Through Strategic Partnerships”

• Focus: The role of global strategic partnerships and balanced development.

• Key Points:

  • Lessons from Germany: Presented a study showing that at distances >20km from the core power grid, decentralized electrolysis systems can be more cost-effective than supplying hydrogen via trailers.

  • Three Critical Levers: To unlock hydrogen projects, simultaneous and balanced development is needed across: (1) Creating demand, (2) Developing infrastructure, and (3) Scaling up production. One-sided development hinders progress.

  • Trade Forecast: By 2050, significant global hydrogen trade flows will exist between surplus-producing regions (e.g., Middle East, Australia) and consuming regions (e.g., East Asia, Europe). Vietnam needs to position itself within these flows.

  • Call to Action: Close collaboration between industry and policy is essential, alongside establishing common standards and de-risking investments for infrastructure developers.

2. Dr. Namiko Murayama (thyssenkrupp nucera, Japan) - “Shaping Vietnam’s Green Hydrogen Landscape, Strategic Electrolyzer Selection for Sustainability”

• Focus: Optimal electrolyzer technology selection for sustainability and large-scale deployment.

• Key Points:

  • Leading AWE Technology: Highlighted the strengths of the scalum® technology with its "single-element" design, allowing maintenance and replacement of individual cells without shutting down the entire system—ideal for GW-scale plants.

  • Emerging SOEC Trend: SOEC promises 20-30% higher efficiency than AWE/PEM in applications with available waste heat. It is a flexible technology that can operate in reverse for power generation (SOFC), opening vast markets beyond pure hydrogen production.

  • Vietnam Market Analysis (per IEA): Current hydrogen demand is concentrated in fertilizer (NH3) and refining. Vung Tau is identified as a key industrial hub with significant demand aggregation potential. Key challenges are grid integration and cost of capital.

  • Key Message: "The hype is over – but the need is real. Electrolysis is the backbone of the energy transition."

3. Ms. Miho Nishida (Kawasaki Heavy Industries Group, Japan) - “Kawasaki Hydrogen Road goes on: For Coexistence of Economic Development & Decarbonization”

• Focus: Integrated solutions spanning hydrogen production, transportation, and utilization, based on Japan's development experience.

• Key Points:

  • Lessons from History: Japan experienced severe pollution from rapid economic growth and now faces challenges from natural disasters and power outages. Kawasaki emphasized the necessity for the coexistence of Economic Development, a Decarbonized Society, and Stable Energy Supply.

  • Complete Hydrogen Supply Chain: Showcased the vision from liquid hydrogen production (e.g., in Australia), transportation via the dedicated ship "Suiso Frontier", to storage and utilization.

  • High-Tech Applications: Introduced gas turbines running on 100% hydrogen (demonstrated at Port Island, Kobe), hydrogen boilers, and even hydrogen-fueled motorcycles. Highlighted the flexibility to transition from natural gas to hydrogen blends or 100% hydrogen.

  • Experience in Vietnam: Shared the project of the first gas turbine cogeneration system at a paper mill in Vietnam, helping reduce CO2 emissions by 40% and attract global brand customers.

4. Mr. Nguyen Thien Binh (HB-GREEN Company, Vietnam) - Introduction and Demonstration of Hydrogen Welding Machine and Hydrogen Gas Cooker

• Focus: Practical, safe, and efficient applications of hydrogen in Vietnam today.

• Key Points:

  • Domestic Products: Showcased a range of on-site Oxy-Hydrogen (HHO) gas generators on the market since 2019, used in jewelry welding, engine carbon cleaning, and industrial heating.

  • Technological Advantages: Emphasized safety (no high-pressure gas storage, equipped with flashback arrestors), high efficiency (LCLC technology), environmental friendliness, and low operating costs.

  • Live Demonstration: Provided a tangible display of hydrogen's immediate applicability in Vietnam's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

  • Future Plans: Aiming for international markets (Korea, Thailand...), developing high-heat applications (glass production, steel cutting), and researching membrane electrolysis for pure hydrogen production.

5. Mr. Matthew Degyansky (Utility Global, USA) - “Producing hydrogen without electricity: Technology of Utility and suggestions for collaboration with Vietnam”

• Focus: Breakthrough technology for hydrogen production without electricity, targeting decarbonization of hard-to-abate industries.

• Key Points:

  • Proprietary H2Gen® Technology: Uses industrial off-gases or biogas as an electrochemical reducing agent to extract hydrogen from water without using grid electricity, while simultaneously producing a concentrated CO2 stream.

  • Key Advantages: Compared to conventional SOEC electrolysis (requires electricity), H2Gen® offers lower costs, easier integration into existing industrial infrastructure, and very low to negative carbon intensity.

  • Solution for Hard-to-Abate Sectors: Focuses on steel, petrochemicals, refining, and oil & gas – industries accounting for over 20% of global emissions.

  • Modularity and Scalability: Standardized containerized design, connectable to scale from a few to hundreds of tons of hydrogen per day.

6. Ms. Ho Thi Bich Phuong (Izumio Japan) - “Demonstration and application in real life of Hydrogen Rich Water for healthcare and wellness”

• Focus: The non-energy application of hydrogen in the healthcare and wellness sector.

• Key Points: Introduced Hydrogen Rich Water and its potential health benefits through antioxidant mechanisms, while sharing the global market scale of such products.

ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION: BRIDGING ACADEMIA AND INDUSTRY

Featuring Ms. Miho Nishida (Kawasaki), Dr. Hao Ngo (NEA), Dr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh (VAHC), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong (IUH), the discussion centered on:

• Human Resource Needs: Industry representatives emphasized the urgent need for engineers and technicians trained in hydrogen technology, safety, and system operation.

• Collaboration Models: Proposals included internship programs, specialized short-term training courses, joint research on practical topics, and establishing pilot laboratories at universities.

• IUH's Direction: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong affirmed the university's readiness to adapt training programs and enhance applied research to meet market demands.

CONCLUSION

The conference concluded with a summary and closing remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong. The event successfully fulfilled its role as a multi-dimensional bridge:

• Connecting Global Technology with Local Application: From GW-scale solutions to SME products.

• Connecting Theory with Practice: From academic research to concrete product demonstrations.

• Connecting Education with Industry: Outlining a clear path for collaboration between universities and businesses.

The conference helped blur the lines between "potential" and "action," between "vision" and "execution," marking a significant milestone on Vietnam's sustainable development journey through hydrogen energy.

You can download the abstracts of speakers by scanning the QR code below