IUH AND THE VIETNAM–ASEAN HYDROGEN CLUB CO-HOST INTERNATIONAL HYDROGEN ROADMAP CONFERENCE

Dialogue on Vietnam and ASEAN’s Hydrogen Pathways in the Global Landscape

Background Note for the VAHC – IUH Hydrogen Workshop | December 5, 2025 | Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City

November 19, 2025 – In the context of the International Energy Agency (IEA) dedicating, for the first time, an entire chapter to Southeast Asia in its Global Hydrogen Review 2025, the Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH) and the Vietnam–ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) will co-host the international conference “Vietnam and ASEAN’s Hydrogen Pathways in the Global Landscape” on December 5, 2025.
The event aims to analyze key opportunities and challenges in unlocking hydrogen’s potential for Vietnam’s future economy.

1. REGIONAL CONTEXT AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR VIETNAM

According to the latest IEA report, hydrogen demand in Southeast Asia reached about 4 million tonnes per year in 2024, with Vietnam accounting for 15%, making it one of the region’s most important markets. However, most hydrogen today is produced from natural gas and used mainly in industrial applications such as ammonia production and refining.

The region has announced a strong pipeline of low-emissions hydrogen projects totalling nearly 480 kt/year through 2030, but only about 6% of these projects have reached Final Investment Decision (FID). Key barriers include high costs, incomplete policy frameworks, and infrastructure gaps.

2. SIGNIFICANCE FOR VIETNAM

With 15% of Southeast Asia’s hydrogen demand, Vietnam has a solid industrial foundation to deploy low-emissions hydrogen. Developing this sector offers multiple strategic benefits:

• Strengthening energy security

• Reducing emissions across heavy industry

• Supporting green export growth

• Deeper integration into ASEAN and global sustainable fuel supply chains

To overcome challenges related to cost, regulation, and infrastructure, Vietnam will require strong policy direction, targeted incentives, and close public–private collaboration — the central themes of this conference.

EVENT INFORMATION

Topic: Vietnam and ASEAN’s Hydrogen Pathways in the Global Landscape
Co-organizers: Vietnam–ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) & Industrial University of Ho Chi Minh City (IUH)
Venue: Hall E4 & Meeting Room E.3.2, IUH
Date & Time:

• Workshop: 13:00 – 17:00, Friday, December 5, 2025

• Gala Networking Dinner: 17:30 – 20:00

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES

• Present key findings of the Global Hydrogen Review 2025 and assess implications for Vietnam.

• Evaluate Vietnam’s emerging hydrogen strategy, including regulatory needs and supply-chain opportunities.

• Identify challenges related to cost, technology, infrastructure, and standardization.

• Discuss solutions involving finance, workforce development, research collaboration, and international partnerships.

• Connect academia and industry to support human-resource development for Vietnam’s future hydrogen economy.

DETAILED PROGRAM

PLENARY SESSION (13:00 – 15:15) – Hall E4

13:00 – 13:15
Reception of delegates and guests.

13:15 – 13:25
Opening remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đàm Sao Mai, Vice President of IUH.

13:25 – 13:30
Welcome remarks by Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh, Chairman of VAHC.

13:30 – 14:00
Presentation: “Exploring New Pathways for Hydrogen Development”
— Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh (Pacific Group – PCG)

14:00 – 14:30
Presentation: “Highlights of the IEA Hydrogen Review 2025 – ASEAN Outlook”
— Mr. Andy Lei, Vice Chairman of VAHC

14:30 – 14:45
Presentation: “Bioengineering and Conversions”
— Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vo The Ky (IUH)

14:45 – 15:15
Tea break & networking.

PARALLEL SESSIONS (15:15 – 17:00)

SESSION 1: THE FUTURE OF HYDROGEN – Hall E4

Chairs: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đàm Sao Mai (IUH) & Dr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh (VAHC)

15:15 – 15:45
Dr. Nguyen Huu Luong (Senior Expert, Vietnam Petroleum Institute)
“Updates on Hydrogen Production and Applications in Vietnam”

15:45 – 16:15
Dr. Nguyen Thien Binh (Founder of HB-Green)
Demonstration and introduction of hydrogen welding machine and hydrogen gas cooker.

16:15 – 16:45
Mr. Hiroshi Nagatsugu (Japan Hydrogen Association, inviting)
“How Japan Can Support Vietnam in Developing its Hydrogen Industry”

16:45 – 17:00
Dr. Murayama Namiko (APAC Regional Head, Thyssenkrupp Nucera, inviting)
“Partnerships with Vietnamese Partners (Lilama) for Electrolyzer Manufacturing”

SESSION 2: HYDROGEN AND GREEN ENERGY APPLICATIONS – Meeting Room E.3.2

Chairs: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong (IUH) & Dr. Nguyen Huu Luong (Vietnam Petroleum Institute)

15:15 – 15:45
Prof. Dr. Duong Tuan Quang (Hue University of Education)
Presentation on computational modeling in protein inhibition research for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

15:45 – 16:15
Mr. Ianton Tan (APAC Director, United Hydrogen)
“Integrated Hydrogen Solutions for Industry and Agriculture”

16:15 – 17:00
Panel Discussion: “IUH–VAHC Collaboration on Research and Training”
Featuring: Ms. Miho Nishida, Mr. Andy Lei, Dr. Nguyen Huu Luong, Dr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh, representatives from JETRO/JICA/JH2A, and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Cuong.

CLOSING SESSION (17:00 – 17:10) – Hall E4

Closing remarks by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Đàm Sao Mai (IUH) and Mr. Andy Lei (VAHC).
Group photo.

18:30 – 20:00
Gala Dinner 

This event is not only an academic forum but also a strategic platform for strengthening collaboration, accelerating technology transfer, and unlocking the potential of hydrogen energy for a sustainable future in Vietnam and the ASEAN region.