VAHC and EVEDI (Korea) Officially Expand Strategic Cooperation – Opportunities to Participate in Seminars and Jointly Develop Hydrogen Demonstration Projects under Korean ODA and International R&D Programs
August 7, 2026
Dear Valued Members and Partners,
The Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) is pleased to formally announce the renewal and strategic expansion of its cooperation with the Energy Valley Enterprise Development Institute (EVEDI) of the Republic of Korea. This decision follows productive discussions between the two parties during the "2nd KOR-VNM Energy Week 2026" and a thorough review of the detailed cooperation proposal submitted by EVEDI to VAHC in July 2026.
VAHC and EVEDI signed the MOU in September 2024
I. Overview of the VAHC – EVEDI Strategic Cooperation
Renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU):
VAHC and EVEDI have agreed to renew the MOU signed on September 25, 2024, for an additional two-year term (from September 2026 to September 2028) through an exchange of official letters between the two institutions. The MOU reaffirms areas of cooperation: information exchange on hydrogen, renewable energy, and energy efficiency; personnel exchange; cooperation on ESG; and other technical, business, and marketing collaborative efforts subject to mutual agreement.
Three Specific Cooperation Areas to be Implemented Immediately:
A. ORGANIZATION OF SEMINARS AND NETWORKING EVENTS
Online Seminar: To be held in August or September 2026, focusing on sharing market trends, renewable energy and hydrogen policies, and project demands in Vietnam. This seminar will serve as a preparatory step for subsequent cooperation activities.
Joint Seminar and Pavilion at VINAMAC EXPO 2026: From November 23-28, 2026, at SECC, Ho Chi Minh City. EVEDI and Korean companies (approximately 8 root-industry companies from Jeollanam-do) will operate a joint pavilion. VAHC will co-organize a hydrogen and energy seminar within the exhibition framework and facilitate networking and 1:1 export consultation meetings between Korean companies and Vietnamese partners.
VAHC's Role in this Cooperation:
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Recommend experts or speakers to present on Vietnam's hydrogen, renewable energy, and energy transition policy/market trends.
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Assist in inviting government agencies, research institutes, companies, and project developers in the hydrogen/renewable energy sector.
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Coordinate on seminar topics, program content, and participant recruitment.
VAHC Chairman, Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh, taking a commemorative photo with the new EVEDI Chairman in June 2026 after a detailed working session on cooperation and MOU renewal
B. JOINT DEVELOPMENT OF DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS UNDER KOREAN ODA AND INTERNATIONAL R&D PROGRAMS
This is a core cooperation area, with detailed proposals from EVEDI based on official funding programs of the Korean Government.
1. International Joint R&D Cooperation in Energy:
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Funding Agency: Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment of Korea (through the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning – KETEP).
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Program Objective: To enhance Korea's national energy technology competitiveness, establish energy security, and create new energy markets through international joint R&D.
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Reference Model (Project in Laos):
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Project: Development and demonstration of a digital-twin-based building energy management platform linked with renewable energy for tropical urban environments.
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Duration: 3 years (2026-2029).
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Total Budget: Approximately KRW 3.7 billion (approx. USD 3 million) in Korean government R&D funding.
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Lead Organization: Hyundai Solatech.
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Participating Organizations: Green ENS, Daon Grid, EVEDI, EIUCA, EDL (Électricité du Laos), Nemo Partners.
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Direction for Cooperation with VAHC and its Members/Partners:
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Review the applicability of the Laos model to Vietnam or propose similar models suitable for the Vietnamese context, such as "Development and Demonstration of a Region-Specific Microgrid Model" for industrial zones, buildings, or manufacturing facilities with identified needs.
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Request to VAHC and its Members:
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Recommend member-owned factories, industrial complexes, or other facilities suitable as demonstration sites for hydrogen, renewable energy, or energy-efficiency solutions.
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Share information on ongoing or under-review hydrogen/renewable energy projects in Vietnam.
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Confirm the feasibility of providing electricity usage data, facility status, and renewable energy installation potential for candidate demonstration sites.
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Recommend organizations, research institutes, universities, or companies eligible to participate in the project consortium.
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Support in securing Letters of Intent (LOI/LOPI) from interested institutions/companies for participation in international joint R&D projects.
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2. Cooperation on Projects for Fine Dust and Greenhouse Gas Reduction:
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Program: Operation of an Overseas Expansion Council for Fine Dust and Greenhouse Gas Reduction through Eco-Industrial Development.
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Scope: Global, with cooperation with Vietnam to be pursued as preliminary discussions for future calls for proposals.
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Detailed Cooperation Content:
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VAHC will be invited as the official local partner channel for this program in Vietnam.
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Collaborate on conducting demand surveys of Vietnamese companies in climate-tech fields such as renewable energy, carbon capture, and new energy industries.
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Co-develop reports analyzing technology demand and policy trends in Vietnam.
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Propose suitable sites for demonstrating greenhouse gas reduction solutions, hydrogen utilization, or renewable energy integration.
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Specific Role of VAHC and its Members/Partners:
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Provide information on policies, regulations, and market trends regarding Vietnam's hydrogen, renewable energy, and energy transition.
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Recommend companies, institutions, and project sites with demand for solutions in GHG reduction, clean technology, and energy efficiency.
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Participate in overseas expansion council meetings or seminars on climate-tech, hydrogen, and energy transition.
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Recommend speakers and assist in coordinating joint seminar programs.
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Support in identifying sites suitable for demonstration projects.
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Cooperate in jointly planning ODA, mitigation projects, international joint R&D, and pilot projects.
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II. Participation Opportunities for VAHC Members and Partners
A. REGISTER AS A SPEAKER AT THE JOINT SEMINAR
VAHC is seeking experts, scientists, and managers to present at the online seminar and/or the seminar at VINAMAC EXPO 2026. Priority topics proposed by EVEDI include:
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Policies and regulations on renewable energy and hydrogen in Vietnam.
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Market trends and project demand in Vietnam's energy sector.
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Introduction of specific projects on hydrogen, renewable energy, ESS, and power equipment (by members or partners).
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Opportunities and challenges in developing hydrogen and clean energy projects between Vietnam and Korea.
B. REGISTER TO JOINTLY DEVELOP DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS
This is an opportunity for members/partners with specific projects or needs to participate in co-developing and implementing demonstration projects with support from Korean ODA and R&D programs. Specifically:
International Joint R&D in Energy (KETEP):
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Propose potential demonstration sites: industrial zones, member-owned factories, commercial or public buildings with potential for applying solutions such as digital twin-based energy management platforms integrated with renewables, or microgrid models.
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Share data on the energy status (electricity consumption, load profile, renewable energy potential) of these sites.
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Propose specific technologies or solutions that need pilot demonstration in Vietnam.
Projects for Fine Dust and Greenhouse Gas Reduction:
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Propose pilot projects for hydrogen use (e.g., fuel cell vehicles, hydrogen power generation), emission reduction solutions in industrial production (e.g., boilers, metallurgy, cement), circular economy models, and carbon capture and utilization (CCUS) applications.
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Identify companies with demand and capacity to contribute to ODA or public-private partnership projects in climate-tech fields.
III. Benefits of Participation
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Direct connection to Korea's leading research ecosystem, businesses, and financial/technical support programs.
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Access to ODA and international R&D funding to materialize demonstration projects, reducing technological and financial risks.
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Enhanced technological capacity and experience in implementing new clean energy and climate-tech models.
IV. Contact and Registration Information
Interested parties, please send a brief introduction (proposed topic/company, CV of the speaker, or a short description of the project/need) to the VAHC Secretariat email: contact@vahc.com.vn, or contact Mr. Le Phuc An directly at phone number: 0768 563 702 for detailed consultation.
Priority Registration Deadline: August 22, 2026, to allow the VAHC working group to compile information and coordinate with EVEDI for the upcoming agenda (online seminar and preparations for VINAMAC EXPO).
VAHC believes that this detailed and expanded cooperation will bring practical networking and project development opportunities, contributing to the realization of energy transition and sustainable development goals in Vietnam. We look forward to your interest and active participation.
Sincerely,
VAHC Secretariat
Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC)
