Vietnam’s Strategic First Step in Building the Hydrogen Workforce – From Vision to Action

In an intimate setting of 35 delegates at the Saigon Hotel—bringing together academics, industry leaders, and financial institutions from several countries—the keynote by Dr. Duong Mien Ka (Vice Chairman of IKONOMY and lecturer at Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry) left a distinct impression. With a clear, practical, and inspiring presentation style, he guided the audience into exploring one defining question: “Where must Vietnam begin to enter the hydrogen era?”

Why Vietnam Must Act in 2025

Dr. Ka began by framing the global context: hydrogen is no longer an option but a cornerstone of the energy-transition strategies worldwide. From Vietnam’s Power Development Plan VIII (PDP8) to its Net-zero 2050 commitment, hydrogen has been identified as a critical growth driver. Yet the biggest paradox hindering projects from Binh Thuan and Ninh Thuan to Quang Tri is a shortage of skilled human resources at every stage of the value chain.

“Whoever owns the talent will lead the market,” he emphasized. While ASEAN countries are racing to train their workforce from 2025 to 2030, Vietnam cannot afford to fall behind.

Current Workforce Gaps: A Wider Hole Than Expected

Based on field assessments, Dr. Ka noted that Vietnam has no dedicated university or college-level hydrogen training program. Existing manpower is fragmented and drawn from mechanical engineering, electrical–electronics, chemistry, environment, or automation—resulting in major skill deficits:

• Electrolysis technologies (PEM, Alkaline)

• Hydrogen storage and transportation

• Hydrogen fire, explosion, and leakage safety

• Industrial hydrogen applications

• ESG and green finance for hydrogen projects

Universities lack internationally qualified trainers, standardized curricula, and simulation laboratories—critical gaps if Vietnam hopes to absorb gigawatt-scale investments.

Hydrogen Value Chain Needs: Workforce Across Every Link

Walking the audience through the “journey of a hydrogen molecule”—from production → storage & transport → end-use → management & finance—Dr. Ka outlined the human resources Vietnam must prepare:

• Electrolyzer engineers

• Cryogenic specialists

• Pipeline and pressure vessel engineers

• Hydrogen–ammonia logistics experts

• Fuel-cell engineers

• LCA & carbon-market analysts

• ESG and sustainability specialists

This is not merely a technical challenge; it is the construction of an entire multidisciplinary ecosystem.

A Practical Five-Step Roadmap: Vietnam’s Guiding Blueprint

The highlight of the presentation was a five-step national roadmap, described as a foundational blueprint for Vietnam’s hydrogen workforce development:

1. Standardize the National Hydrogen Competency Framework

Five competency clusters: foundational knowledge; hydrogen technologies; industrial operations; hydrogen economics & ESG; project management & safety (including HAZOP and hydrogen dispersion modeling).
The framework draws from EU Hydrogen Skills Strategy, Japan’s METI, and Korea Hydrogen Safety models.

2. Develop 3–6 Month Training Programs (12 Modules)

A 100–150-hour curriculum to be offered at HCMUNRE, IUH, HCMUTE, and HCMC University of Technology.
Includes mini-projects, field trips, and internships with real hydrogen projects.

3. Establish the National Hydrogen Training Center (H2 Training Center)

A multi-functional hub:

• Training for enterprises and universities

• National hydrogen safety certification center

• Mini electrolysis and fuel-cell laboratories

• Pilot-scale technology testing and demonstration

4. Build an International Partnership Network

Collaboration with:

• Germany (electrolysis & standards)

• South Korea (advanced safety training)

• Singapore (micro-credentials)

• Russia (liquid hydrogen technologies)

• EU (CEN–ISO hydrogen standards)

• NEUMAN & ESSER – VAHC’s strategic partner

5. Build the 2025–2035 Talent Pipeline

• 2025–2027: 500–800 engineers/technicians

• 2028–2030: 2,000 hydrogen professionals

• 2030–2035: 5,000–7,000 personnel for gigawatt-scale projects

The Roles of Academia, Industry, Finance, and Government

Dr. Ka underscored that this is a mission requiring the cooperation of “four pillars”:

• Universities: lead curriculum development and standardization

• Industry: define real-world skill requirements and host internships

• Finance: provide capital for training and lab infrastructure—highlighting TPBank’s green-finance readiness

• Government: approve occupational standards, license the national training center, and offer tax incentives

He emphasized particularly the enabling role of TPBank’s green credit framework, which opens a new bridge between the financial sector and education in renewable energy.

Conclusion: 2025 as Vietnam’s “Zero-to-One” Moment

Closing his presentation, Dr. Ka delivered a clear message:

“Hydrogen will become a billion-dollar industry in Vietnam within the next decade. If we do not begin in 2025, we will lose our ASEAN advantage. Vietnam can absolutely become the region’s Hydrogen Training Hub.”

The room rose in a long round of applause—not only for an insightful presentation, but for a concrete, feasible, and inspiring roadmap that could shape an entirely new economic sector for Vietnam.