Vietnam Can Position Itself to Become a Major ASEAN Hydrogen Hub Through 2026–2027 Execution Blueprint
VAHC Chairman and Vice Chairman Outline Strategic Vision at Vietnam–U.S. Hydrogen Workshop 2026
Edited by VAHC Secretariat
11 April 2026
At the Vietnam–U.S. Hydrogen Workshop 2026, held on April 10 in Ho Chi Minh City under the theme “Advanced Hydrogen Technologies and Semiconductor Supply Chain – Vietnam & ASEAN”, leadership of the Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC) delivered a strong strategic message regarding Vietnam’s ambition to become a leading hydrogen hub in ASEAN.
The event opened with remarks by Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh, Chairman of VAHC, followed by a keynote strategic presentation from Mr. Andy Lei, Vice Chairman of VAHC, titled: “Vietnam Hydrogen Market Overview & Execution Blueprint 2026–2027.”
VAHC Chairman: Vietnam Faces a Golden Window to Join the Global Hydrogen Transition
Opening the workshop, Mr. Minh emphasized that Vietnam is entering a decisive period in its energy transition and hydrogen economy development.
He stressed that broader international collaboration among technology providers, investors, and domestic enterprises will be essential to move from pilot projects to commercial-scale hydrogen deployment across Vietnam and ASEAN.
“VAHC is not merely a think tank — we are a project enabler,”
Mr. Minh stated.
He noted that VAHC is conducting monthly hydrogen workshops to continuously foster knowledge exchange, project matchmaking, and ecosystem development.
Mr. Minh also called upon sponsors and strategic partners to support the continuation of these efforts through venue sponsorship, financial contributions, and institutional collaboration.
Andy Lei: Vietnam Has the Fundamentals to Become ASEAN’s Next Hydrogen Hub
In a detailed 20-minute presentation, Mr. Andy Lei provided a comprehensive assessment of Vietnam’s hydrogen market as of March 2026 and introduced VAHC’s Execution Blueprint 2026–2027, a strategic commercialization roadmap for the sector.
He stated that Vietnam possesses key structural advantages:
- Abundant renewable energy resources, particularly wind and solar
- Strategic proximity to Northeast Asian and European import markets
- Rising hydrogen demand from hard-to-abate sectors including steel, chemicals, refining, semiconductors, and heavy transport
According to Mr. Lei, these fundamentals position Vietnam to become one of ASEAN’s most important hydrogen hubs if implementation momentum is maintained.
Policy Framework Rapidly Advancing
Mr. Lei highlighted accelerating regulatory progress, including:
- Vietnam’s Hydrogen Development Program under Decision 165/QD-TTg
- Expected issuance of the National Hydrogen Strategy in 2026
- Investment incentives and project support mechanisms
- Hydrogen integration into PDP8 and National Energy Strategy
- Emerging standards for hydrogen safety, green certification, and carbon credits
He noted that the improving regulatory framework is materially enhancing project bankability for investors.
Pilot Projects Transitioning Toward Commercialization
Mr. Lei also updated delegates on multiple hydrogen initiatives underway:
- Green hydrogen projects in Ninh Thuan, Binh Thuan, and Ba Ria–Vung Tau
- Green port hydrogen initiatives at Cai Mep–Thi Vai
- Semiconductor and industrial hydrogen pilot applications in southern Vietnam
- Strategic partnerships with U.S., Japanese, Korean, and European stakeholders
Most projects, he said, are approaching or completing FEED and are expected to enter FID during 2026–2027.
Execution Blueprint 2026–2027: A Practical Commercialization Roadmap
The core of the presentation centered on VAHC’s Execution Blueprint 2026–2027, structured around five strategic pillars:
- Finalize hydrogen regulations and national standards
- Launch Vietnam’s first Hydrogen Hub in Ho Chi Minh City
- Attract FDI from U.S., Japan, Korea, and Europe
- Stimulate domestic hydrogen demand across industry and logistics
- Prepare export capability for green hydrogen and green ammonia
Proposed implementation timeline:
- Q2–Q3 2026: Regulatory completion and major project approvals
- Q4 2026: Groundbreaking of first Hydrogen Hub
- 2027: Launch of 3–5 larger-scale commercial projects
VAHC Reinforces Role as Hydrogen Ecosystem Integrator
Concluding the presentation, Mr. Lei stated that VAHC will continue serving as a central platform linking government agencies, domestic companies, and international stakeholders through:
- Specialized workshops
- Project and investor matchmaking
- National hydrogen project database development
- Execution Blueprint implementation support
“Vietnam has every potential to become a major hydrogen hub in ASEAN—if we act decisively starting in 2026,”
Mr. Lei concluded.
The presentation received strong interest from international delegates, with multiple stakeholders from the U.S., Japan, Korea, and Europe expressing concrete interest in partnering with VAHC to implement the blueprint this year.
Contact for Collaboration: contact@vahc.com.vn
