IUH–VAHC Hydrogen Conference 2025: Six Strategic Lessons for Vietnam’s Practical Pathway
From the U.S. “no-electricity” technology to the ‘Make in Vietnam’ welding machines – Where does the green hydrogen journey begin?
The Secretariat of the Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) presents the key points from the speakers’ presentations at the International Hydrogen Roadmap Conference – Vietnam and ASEAN Hydrogen Pathways in the Global Landscape, co-organized by VAHC and Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry (IUH).
The presentation by Professor Võ Thế Kỷ (IUH) will be summarized separately.
1. Dr. Hào Ngô – Neuman & Esser (Germany): “Globalizing Cooperation”
KEY POINTS
1. Critical Development Mindset
Three pillars MUST develop in balance and simultaneously:
Demand – Infrastructure – Production
Warning:
If a project focuses only on one element (e.g., only building electrolyzer plants) and ignores distribution infrastructure and end-use markets → the project will fail.
Lesson from Germany:
A fully integrated roadmap must be developed from the beginning.
2. Concrete Economic Analysis
Critical distance threshold: 20 km from the main grid
-
< 20 km: Pipeline or trailer is feasible
-
≥ 20 km: Decentralized electrolysis becomes cheaper than trailers
Implication for Vietnam:
Remote industrial zones and islands should prioritize on-site electrolysis.
3. Global Trade Outlook 2050
Vietnam has two strategic choices:
-
Become a producer exporting to East Asia
-
Become a transshipment hub in the ASEAN hydrogen chain
This decision affects:
Infrastructure investment, taxation policy, international partnerships.
4. Special Call to Action
“H2 is not a one-player game” → Cooperation is essential, even with competitors.
Governments should:
Reduce risks for infrastructure investors (early-stage public capital or depreciation-risk sharing mechanisms).
2. Dr. Namiko Murayama – Thyssenkrupp Nucera (Japan): “Electrolyzer Technology Choices”
KEY POINTS
1. Detailed Technology Comparison
| Criteria | AWE (Alkaline) | SOEC (Solid Oxide) | PEM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Efficiency | Medium | Highest (20–30% higher) | Medium |
| Operating temp | 60–80°C | 600–900°C | 50–80°C |
| Best application | Large, steady scale | Where waste heat is available | Flexible, fast start |
Operating cost:
-
AWE: low
-
SOEC: very low (waste heat)
-
PEM: high (electricity-demanding)
Durability:
-
AWE: high (single-element design)
-
SOEC: improving
-
PEM: average
2. “Single-Element” Design – Breakthrough for Maintenance
Superior advantage: Replace individual cells independently.
Economic benefit: No need for complete plant shutdown → reduced downtime.
Fit for Vietnam: Useful while local maintenance skills are still developing.
3. IEA Assessment of Vietnam Market
Vũng Tàu is the HOTSPOT:
-
Home to major steel and NH₃ production (Phú Mỹ, 540 kt/year)
-
Near Vietnam’s largest port system
Opportunity:
Aggregate demand and build centralized infrastructure.
4. Important Message
“The hype is over – demand is real.”
→ The trial phase is over; time for real deployment.
“Electrolysis is the backbone” → No green hydrogen without efficient electrolysis.
3. Ms. Miho Nishida – Kawasaki (Japan): “The Comprehensive Hydrogen Pathway”
KEY POINTS
1. Development Philosophy: The ‘Three Coexistences’
No trade-off allowed:
Economic growth ≠ Environmental destruction
Formula:
Economy + Decarbonization + Energy Security
Lesson learned:
Japan paid a heavy price for pollution in the 1970s.
2. A Complete Supply Chain – No Missing Links
Production → Liquefaction → Transport → Storage → Use
The weakest link determines success:
If there is no transport vessel, cheap imported hydrogen is impossible.
Suiso Frontier:
World’s first liquid hydrogen carrier – a lesson in high-impact tech investment.
3. 100% Hydrogen Gas Turbines – Breakthrough Achievement
Technical barriers solved:
NOx < 70 ppm (meets environmental standards)
Flexibility:
Natural gas → blends → 100% hydrogen
Implication for Vietnam:
Existing power plants can be upgraded rather than rebuilt.
4. Successful Vietnam Case Study
A paper mill using gas turbine cogeneration:
-
CO₂ down 40%
-
Attracted global clients (e.g., Uniqlo)
Lesson:
Decarbonization can deliver commercial competitiveness.
5. Realistic 2030 Roadmap
Not “tomorrow”:
5–7 years required from demo → commercial operation.
Critical period 2025–2030:
Build ecosystem, legal framework, partnerships.
4. Mr. Nguyễn Thiên Bình – HB-Green (Vietnam): “Practical Applications”
KEY POINTS
1. Proof: Vietnam Already Has Hydrogen Technology
Not “the future”: Products sold since 2019
Not “imported”: Developed domestically
Lesson:
Foundational hydrogen technologies are already within reach of Vietnamese companies.
2. Safety Technology – The Critical Factor
Three protection layers:
Pressure sensors + Dry flashback arrestor + Wet flashback arrestor
Reaction speed: < 3 ms auto flame cut-off
Smart design:
No high-pressure storage → drastically lower explosion risk
3. Concrete Economic Performance
-
88% electricity-to-gas efficiency
-
1 kWh → 6.3 L/min HHO
-
44.4 kWh → 1 kg hydrogen
-
Low OPEX: only water + electricity; maintenance every 6–12 months
4. Successful Niche Markets
Jewelry sector: replaces gas → cleaner, cheaper
Automotive service: engine cleaning → real demand, paying customers
Lesson:
Begin with small, real markets → generate revenue → advance into higher tech.
5. Practical 2025–2028 Strategy
Phase 1 (2025–2026): Dominate domestic market (PANDORA, major clients)
Phase 2 (2026–2027): Export simple technologies (ASEAN)
Phase 3 (2027–2028): Develop high-tech membranes for pure H₂
5. Mr. Matthew Degyansky – Utility Global (USA): “No-Electricity Hydrogen Technology”
KEY POINTS
1. Breakthrough: “Removing Electricity” from Hydrogen Production
Traditional: Water + Electricity → H₂ + O₂
H2Gen®: Water + Industrial off-gas (CO/H₂/CH₄) → H₂ + concentrated CO₂
Turns “waste” into “value”:
Low-value or disposal-cost gases → high-value hydrogen
Solves two problems simultaneously:
Hydrogen production + CO₂ capture
2. Superior Competitive Advantages vs. Electrolysis
| Electrolysis challenge | H2Gen® solution |
|---|---|
| Requires cheap, stable electricity | No electricity required |
| Requires new grid infrastructure | Integrates into existing systems |
| High CAPEX | Lower CAPEX (no substations, no grid upgrades) |
| Degradation reduces efficiency | More stable over time |
3. Target Sectors: Hard-to-Abate – 20% of Global Emissions
-
Steel: blast furnace gas
-
Oil & gas: associated gas (often flared)
-
Chemicals: process off-gas
-
Waste: biogas from landfills and wastewater
4. Smart Business Model
Modular: standard 40-ft containers
Scalable: 1 container → hundreds
Factory-built: high quality, low cost
Fast deployment: plug-and-play
5. Rapid Global Deployment
Not “lab stage”: demo plant operating in Houston
Negotiating with major steel company:
1 TPD (demo) → 82 TPD (commercial)
Lesson:
Commercially ready – requires first movers.
6. Ms. Hồ Thị Bích Phương – Izumio (Japan): “Hydrogen for Health”
KEY POINTS
1. Non-Energy Market – Massive Potential
No competition with energy sector
Proven scale: 280 million sachets in 12 countries
Lesson:
Hydrogen can build a billion-dollar industry WITHOUT complex infrastructure.
2. Science-Based Applications
Clear mechanism:
Molecular hydrogen (H₂) = selective antioxidant
Targets harmful radicals only:
Hydroxyl radical (•OH)
Safe:
Does not affect beneficial radicals
3. Fast Market Entry for Consumer Products
No need for: complex policies, massive infrastructure, huge investment
Need: clinical studies, educational marketing, distribution
Opportunity for Vietnam:
Develop hydrogen-based health products.
4. Successful Commercialization Model
From niche → mainstream
Start with health-conscious consumers → mass market
High added value:
Hydrogen-rich water priced far above regular water
Lesson:
Start small, generate revenue, reinvest into deeper R&D.
STRATEGIC SUMMARY FOR VIETNAM
Five Major Lessons from Six Presentations
1. Not just “Green” – It’s Economics
-
HB-Green: hydrogen saves operational costs
-
Kawasaki: decarbonization attracts global clients
-
Utility: turns waste-gas treatment cost into hydrogen revenue
2. Start from What is Possible
-
HB-Green: jewelry welding machines (hundreds of watts)
-
Izumio: drinking water
No need to start with gigawatt-scale plants.
3. Safety is Number One
All speakers emphasized safety.
HB-Green: triple protection, <3 ms response.
Technology succeeds only when trusted.
4. Borderless Cooperation
Dr. Hào Ngô: “H₂ is not a one-player game.”
Collaboration required:
Industry – Academia – Government – International partners
Even competitors may need to cooperate to build the market.
5. Need First Movers
Utility: looking for pioneering customers
Kawasaki: needs first plant willing to try 100% H₂ turbines
Policies should reward early adopters who accept risk.
PROPOSED ROADMAP FOR VIETNAM (2025–2030)
Phase 1 (2025–2026): Immediate Applications
-
Support HB-Green to expand local adoption
-
Develop consumer hydrogen products
-
Train technicians for simple hydrogen systems
Phase 2 (2027–2028): Medium Scale
-
Pilot decentralized electrolysis in remote industrial zones
-
Upgrade existing gas turbines to 20–30% hydrogen
-
Develop hydrogen industrial cluster in Vũng Tàu
Phase 3 (2029–2030): Large Scale
-
Consider H2Gen® for Formosa steel plant
-
Develop hydrogen export port in Vũng Tàu
-
Integrate into global hydrogen supply chain (production or transshipment)
Vietnam’s success will depend on:
-
Choosing the right starting point (not too ambitious too early)
-
Building trust in safety and economic performance
-
Creating successful first movers
-
Forming smart partnerships with technology leaders
Hydrogen is not a question of “IF”, but “WHERE and HOW TO START.”
The presentations clearly show: many pathways, many technologies, many business models.
Vietnam must choose the path that fits its current capabilities and unique advantages.
Please scan the QR to download speakers's presentations
