Hydrogen technology and partners

In heavy industries such as steel, chemicals, and oil refining, large volumes of hydrogen-rich waste gas have been flared or vented directly into the atmosphere for decades. This is not only a waste of resources but also a source of environmental pollution. However, with the advancement of hydrogen-rich gas power generation technology, this situation is changing.

The principle of the hydrogen fuel cell was first discovered in 1838 by Swiss chemist Christian Friedrich Schönbein. A year later, in 1839, Welsh scientist and lawyer Sir William Robert Grove built the first working fuel cell, which he called a "gas battery." Grove's device successfully generated electricity by combining hydrogen and oxygen, and he is recognised as the "father of the fuel cell."

In 1842, Grove further refined his design. In 1889, chemists Ludwig Mond and Charles Langer developed a fuel cell with longer service life and first coined the term "fuel cell."

Hydrogen itself is not a greenhouse gas, but when leaked into the atmosphere, it causes global warming through indirect mechanisms. Hydrogen molecules react with hydroxyl radicals in the atmosphere. Hydroxyl radicals act as the primary "cleanser" of the atmosphere, responsible for breaking down methane and other greenhouse gases. However, because the daily production of hydroxyl radicals is limited, large-scale hydrogen leakage consumes a significant portion of them, reducing the atmosphere's capacity to break down methane, thereby extending methane's atmospheric lifetime and intensifying the greenhouse effect. Additionally, hydrogen leakage also affects ozone and stratospheric water vapour concentrations, which are also important greenhouse agents.

On the morning of July 26, in Lâm Đồng Province, General Phan Văn Giang, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence, attended the ceremony announcing Vietnam's first aluminum ingot products. The event marked the first time Vietnam successfully produced aluminum ingots using electrolysis technology with a current intensity of 500 kA, completing the final link in the value chain from bauxite mining and alumina production to aluminum smelting. This is a pivotal milestone in the development of Vietnam's foundational materials industry, contributing to the realisation of the policy of deep processing to enhance the value of national resources.

The journey from COP26 in Glasgow (2021) to the upcoming COP31 in Antalya, Turkey (November 2026) has witnessed hydrogen's transformation from a promising technical solution into a strategic pillar of global climate negotiations.

The concept of using modern airships for freight and passenger transport in major urban centres and across Vietnam is gaining attention as the search for green logistics solutions intensifies. However, an objective assessment of economic viability requires analysis based on real technical specifications and costs, benchmarked against Vietnam's infrastructure and demand profile.

In the era of AI and high-performance computing, the semiconductor industry faces dual pressure: producing increasingly sophisticated chips while minimizing its carbon footprint. Against this backdrop, hydrogen emerges as an irreplaceable factor – both an essential "catalyst" in the microfabrication process and a key to the industry's decarbonization.

The concepts of "Hydrogen Valleys" and "Hydrogen Hubs" have become key models in the global clean energy strategy. While sharing the common goal of advancing the hydrogen economy, these two models reflect distinct approaches between Europe and Asia, stemming from different policy contexts, resources, and strategic priorities.

The Net Zero Challenge (N0C), Vietnam's largest climate technology innovation competition, has officially opened applications for its fourth edition. Co-organized by Touchstone Partners and Temasek Foundation, N0C 2026 promises significant opportunities for global climate tech solutions ready to pilot in Vietnam.

Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical LLC (NSRP) has issued a call for interest, seeking domestic and international investors for the "Hydrogen Recovery and Industrial Hydrogen Peroxide (H₂O₂) Production Plant" project at the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Thanh Hoa Province, Vietnam. This is a strategic investment opportunity leveraging the feedstock and infrastructure advantages of one of Asia's most modern refineries.

Vietnam is positioning the Cai Mep–Thi Vai port cluster as a future hub for green marine fuels, with methanol and green ammonia playing pivotal roles in the country’s long-term maritime decarbonisation strategy. Supported by the Australian Government’s Partnerships for Infrastructure (P4I) program, a recent feasibility study highlights these two alternative fuels as critical components for sustainable bunkering development in Vietnam.

The Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development Corporation (KIND) has issued a tender notice for a pre-feasibility study on a green ammonia production facility project in Binh Thuan, Vietnam.

Vietnam is at an opportunity to become a production and export hub for green hydrogen and green ammonia to Japan, while developing the domestic market through collaboration with Japanese partners and investors. This is the assessment of the Vietnam - ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) based on competitive advantages and clean energy cooperation trends between the two countries.

In the context of increasingly complex geopolitical competition, armed forces worldwide are seeking breakthrough technologies to gain battlefield advantage. Hydrogen, with its superior energy density and low-signature operational capabilities, is emerging as a strategic solution in defense, from portable power for infantry to propulsion for submarines and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

CFA Vietnam is pleased to introduce a special funding opportunity for the business community from the AGILE Matching Grant Facility 2026, an initiative funded by the Government of Canada to strengthen the climate entrepreneurship ecosystem in Vietnam.

As international investors seek opportunities in clean energy and high-tech sectors, Ho Chi Minh City's Investment Hub has officially launched an online portal to connect investment opportunities with global investors. This is a strategic step to attract new-generation FDI into the city's priority sectors.

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the Japanese government establishing the world's first Basic Hydrogen Strategy in 2017, hydrogen use in Japan is expanding from its focus on power generation and industry into the realm of daily life and consumption. In particular, the enactment of the "Act on Promotion of Supply and Use of Low-Carbon Hydrogen, etc. for Smooth Transition to Carbon-Neutral Growth-Oriented Economic Structure" in 2024 established the legal foundation for the Japanese government's support for a major transition to a hydrogen economy.

Beyond the fertilizer, chemical, and mining sectors, hydrogen plays an indispensable role in oil refining – the second-largest industrial hydrogen consumer in Vietnam, after fertilizer production. This article analyzes current and future hydrogen demand in the oil and gas sector, along with the potential for transitioning to clean hydrogen.