Hydrogen technology and partners

Yamanashi Prefecture, at the foot of Mount Fuji, is not only famous for its natural landscapes but is also asserting Japan's pioneering position in the field of green hydrogen. Leading this strategy is Governor Kotaro Nagasaki, who has been actively promoting a global green hydrogen vision, transforming Yamanashi into a technology hub and an ambitious international cooperation bridge.

On August 14, 2026, the European Commission published the CBAM guidance documents for the definitive period, including "Guidance Document 5C: Sector-Specific Guidance Document on Fertilisers." This document provides detailed explanations of monitoring and reporting requirements for fertiliser producers outside the EU when exporting to the bloc's market, effective from January 1, 2026.

Vietnam, with its strategic government policy (10 strategic technology groups including both semiconductors and green hydrogen), growing semiconductor ecosystem, and increasing foreign investment, holds significant potential to become a hydrogen consumer for semiconductor applications. Demand for pure hydrogen will grow in parallel with Vietnam's semiconductor industry development and the realization of green hydrogen production targets. The domestic production of green hydrogen to serve semiconductor fabs could create a sustainable, self-reinforcing ecosystem for high-tech manufacturing in Vietnam.

Hydrogen injection technology in internal combustion engines (H2-ICE) has made significant advances in recent years, particularly in heavy-duty trucks and industrial applications. Key technical challenges are being addressed, and the economic viability is becoming clearer. The Direct Injection (DI) method is emerging as the technology standard, outperforming Port Fuel Injection (PFI) in efficiency and abnormal combustion control.

The inauguration of Tokuyama Vietnam Co., Ltd.'s polysilicon manufacturing plant at the Phu My 3 Specialized Industrial Park on August 13, 2026, marks not only a significant milestone for Vietnam's semiconductor industry but also opens up enormous potential for the development of the hydrogen ecosystem in the region. The inherent connection between polysilicon production and high-purity hydrogen creates a strategic opportunity to build a circular economy model and integrate clean energy.

As the global renewable energy market expands, energy storage has become the industry's biggest bottleneck. With Direct Power Purchase Agreements (DPPA) gaining momentum, businesses are not only demanding clean energy but also stability in power supply.

General Secretary and President To Lam's state visit to New Zealand is opening opportunities to promote bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of energy transition and sustainable development . In this context, New Zealand's hydrogen potential and international cooperation projects are attracting significant attention.

In the context of global energy transition and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries deepening, Vietnam-Australia energy cooperation has recorded significant progress in 2026. Notably, cooperative activities are being accelerated as Party General Secretary and State President Tô Lâm makes an official visit to Australia this week, raising expectations for new strategic cooperation agreements in the energy sector and supply chains.

At the Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026 organized by VIFC-HCM, Nam Á Bank and FiinGroup supported by GGGI, Mr. Paul Xavier, Program Officer at the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a member of the World Bank Group, delivered a significant presentation on global green capital flows and opportunities for Vietnam.

At the Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026 by VIFC-HCM, Nam A Bank and FiinGroup, supported by GGGI, Mr. Le Xuan Dong, CFA, Managing Director, Head of Market Research & Advisory Services at FiinGroup, delivered a presentation on the structure of the green finance market and lessons from international financial centers (IFCs).

At the Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026, Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Huu Huan, Vice Chairman of the Executive Agency of the Vietnam International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City (VIFC-HCMC), delivered a significant presentation on the strategy for building a green finance ecosystem. According to Dr. Huan, Vietnam is facing a massive climate finance need. The World Bank's Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) shows that by 2040, Vietnam will need approximately $368 billion in additional investment to achieve its climate adaptation and mitigation targets. This figure is equivalent to about 6.8% of GDP per year, while current public resources only meet about 2% of GDP, making the mobilization of private and international capital a critical factor.

On August 6, 2026, at the Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026 co-hosted by VIFC-HCM, Nam Á Bank and FiinGroup, Mr. Matthew Batrouney, Managing Director, Commercial Lead for Sustainable Finance, APAC at S&P Global Ratings, delivered a key presentation on international experience and implications for Vietnam in the green bond sector.

On August 6, 2026, the Vietnam Green Finance Conference 2026, themed "Where Green Capital Connects Investment Opportunities," took place in Ho Chi Minh City. The event was co-organized by the Executive Agency of Ho Chi Minh City International Financial Center (VIFC-HCMC), Nam A Bank, FiinGroup, and the Vietnam Office of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI).

The global hydrogen landscape is entering a critical new phase, moving beyond pilot projects and national strategies into concrete policy actions, cross-border partnerships, and real-world infrastructure development. As the urgency to decarbonize industrial sectors and achieve energy independence intensifies, top national leaders from Asia, North America, Europe, Latin America, and Africa are increasingly placing hydrogen at the center of their economic and energy agendas. From signing landmark legislation and launching demand-creation initiatives to granting exploration permits and forging strategic alliances, these high-level moves signal a decisive shift toward a more commercially viable and globally integrated hydrogen economy. This article provides a comprehensive update on the latest hydrogen-related activities and statements from heads of state and government leaders around the world.

Against the backdrop of the global green hydrogen revolution, Vietnam is emerging as a strategic destination for clean energy projects. Mr. Manuel Baumgartner, APAC GH2 Trading Director at INDEFOL, sat down with VAHC's Annie Nguyễn for an open conversation about the company's strategy, specific projects in Vietnam, and vision for the future.

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) launched its Global Programme for Hydrogen in Industry (GPHI) in 2021, with support from the Governments of Austria, Germany, and Italy. The programme's goal is to support a just hydrogen transition in developing countries, with a focus on social and environmental considerations.

UNIDO is currently implementing hydrogen projects in more than 13 countries, including Algeria, Brazil, China, Egypt, Ecuador, Malaysia, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, and Tunisia.

Japan is a global pioneer in hydrogen strategy, targeting 3 million tons of hydrogen per year by 2030 and 20 million tons by 2050. Due to limited domestic energy resources, Japan has prioritized building cross-border supply chains by partnering with countries rich in renewable resources to import hydrogen and its derivatives, especially through the Green Innovation Fund.

The Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) is Japan's policy bank, established in April 2012 with capital of $15.6 billion, wholly owned by the Japanese government. JBIC has outstanding loans and equity participations totaling $105.6 billion, along with guarantee facilities of $8.89 billion (as of March 31, 2025). JBIC's financial instruments include export loans, import loans, overseas investment loans, untied loans, equity participation, and guarantees.

JBIC plays a key role in financing the entire low-carbon hydrogen value chain – from upstream production (water electrolysis, liquid hydrogen production), transportation (specialized vessels, hydrogen carriers like ammonia and MCH), to downstream utilization (receiving terminals, dehydrogenation, fuel synthesis).