VIETNAM TOUCHES THE HYDROGEN ERA: THE HUMAN RESOURCE PUZZLE SOLVED AT AN INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP
Amid the intensifying global clean energy race, the International Workshop “Vietnam – ASEAN Hydrogen Human Resources 2025” took place on 28 November 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, serving as a strong statement of Vietnam’s determination to catch up with global trends. The event, co-organized by the Vietnam–ASEAN Hydrogen Club (VAHC), Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE), Pacific Group, and TPBank, was not merely a workshop but a “historic appointment” of four pillars—Academia, Industry, Finance, Policy—working together to address the biggest bottleneck: the high-quality human resources challenge.
A Warning from Reality: “Whoever owns talent leads the market”
At the opening of the workshop, Mr. Lê Ngọc Ánh Minh, Chairman of VAHC, painted a comprehensive picture of the global green hydrogen investment wave, in Vietnam and ASEAN. However, he emphasized: “All of this will remain on paper if we do not have a skilled team of engineers, technicians, safety experts, and operators. This is the biggest barrier today and also an opportunity for Vietnam to rise as a regional leader in ASEAN.”
From the academic perspective, Dr. Trần Thanh Tâm (HCMUNRE) confirmed the readiness of universities but also candidly pointed out the challenge: Vietnam currently does not have any in-depth hydrogen training programs. Existing personnel are trained piecemeal from mechanical, electrical-electronic, and chemical fields, with a severe lack of core specialized skills.
A “Five-Step” Roadmap Firmly into the Hydrogen Era
The most anticipated presentation, “Building the Hydrogen Workforce for Vietnam: Where to Start?” by Dr. Dương Miên Ka (Ikonomy), proposed a practical and feasible roadmap, described as a “guiding compass” for action in the upcoming phase:
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Standardize the National Competency Framework: Develop a unified skills standard, referencing advanced models from the EU, Japan, and South Korea.
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Basic Training: Develop short-term courses of 3–6 months covering 12 key modules, from electrolysis technology and fire safety to green finance and ESG.
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Establish the National Hydrogen Training Center: A multifunctional “cradle” serving as a training and safety certification center, with practical labs including mini electrolysis and fuel cell models.
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Expand International Cooperation: “Leapfrog” through strategic partners: Germany (electrolysis technology), South Korea (top Asian safety standards), Singapore (micro certification), Russia (liquefaction technology), and corporations such as NEUMAN & ESSER.
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Build the Talent Pipeline 2025–2035: Target training 500–800 engineers and technicians from 2025–2027, and up to 5,000–7,000 personnel for gigawatt-scale projects by 2035.
Hard Lessons from South Korea and Cooperation Opportunities
A highly impressive international presentation came from Mr. Heejeong Kim (UNIHIYS, South Korea). He not only shared real images and data on hydrogen explosions in South Korea from 2020–2025 but also analyzed the root causes: 75% of incidents came from leaks in pipelines, flanges, and joints. This lesson is invaluable for Vietnam as it begins to build infrastructure. UNIHIYS also proposed an ODA (Official Development Assistance) project to transfer safety standards, products, and workforce training to Vietnam, aiming to make Vietnam the next safe green growth destination.
Ready to collaborate with Vietnamese universities about H2 training courses
Dr. Hao Ngo (Neuman & Esser) shared about NEA's experience in collaborating with German and Chinese universities to train H2 human resource and what could work with Vietnam Universities.
Green Capital is Ready
TPBank representatives demonstrated commitment beyond words. They announced a Green Credit framework certified by KPMG, with preferential credit packages of up to VND 5,000 billion for green projects, in which eligible hydrogen projects are prioritized. Specifically, TPBank is ready to fund green hydrogen and ammonia production plants, hydrogen refueling stations, and distribution systems. This removes financing concerns for both enterprises and training programs.
A Symbol of Synergy: The Strategic Partnership Signing Ceremony
A highlight of the workshop was the signing of a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Pacific Group and TPBank. This agreement not only promotes investment in hydrogen projects but also commits to mobilizing green financial resources to directly support workforce development—a key link often overlooked.
Workshop Conclusion: VAHC’s Concrete Action Roadmap
The workshop concluded not with general statements but with a concrete action roadmap, with clear steps from stakeholders, promising to turn discussions into tangible projects:
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Reaffirming the Vietnam–Russia Strategic Partnership in Emerging Sectors:
A notable highlight was the agreement between VAHC and the Consulate General of the Russian Federation in Ho Chi Minh City. Building on the traditional and close cooperation, where Russia has significantly contributed to training and nurturing generations of Vietnamese leaders and experts, both parties will jointly develop a proposal to support specialized hydrogen and new energy workforce training to be submitted to the Russian Government. This initiative leverages Russia’s advanced liquefied hydrogen and energy technology while deepening comprehensive strategic relations in the new development era.
2. Bringing Enterprises into Academia through German Partners:
International cooperation is also strengthened with participation from a leading European engineering group. VAHC will closely coordinate with NEUMAN & ESSER to design and implement integrated training programs, bringing practical hydrogen technology knowledge and skills directly into corporate and workforce training. These courses will be delivered via partner universities, first among them HCMUNRE and Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry (IUH), to create a workforce “ready to work immediately after graduation.”
3. Green Capital Ready to Flow into Projects:
On the financial side, TPBank once again affirmed its pioneering role. The bank commits to proactively and comprehensively providing green banking and financial services for all hydrogen, new energy, and energy transition projects. With a transparent, internationally certified green credit framework, TPBank is ready to be a trusted financial partner, providing preferential capital to turn ideas into reality—from production and storage to infrastructure development. UNIHYS Co Ltd is currently promoting Vietnam–South Korea hydrogen project cooperation and negotiating with KOICA to fund these collaborative projects.
4. Hydrogen Safety Training with UNIHYS, South Korea:
UNIHYS is ready to cooperate with VAHC and universities (Ho Chi Minh City University of Industry, HCMUNRE) to establish hydrogen safety training programs for projects and enterprises in Vietnam and ASEAN.
Conclusion
The workshop concluded opening a promising new chapter. Rather than stopping at discussion tables, a clearly defined “Four-Party” collaboration network was established: the State (via Vietnam–Russia relations), Academia (HCMUNRE, IUH), Enterprises (VAHC, NEUMAN & ESSER, UNIHYS Co Ltd), and Banks (TPBank). This seamless coordination forms a solid “tank,” ready to reach the finish line, transforming Vietnam from a potential market into a regional leader in hydrogen energy in Southeast Asia. The journey, starting in 2025, with unprecedented unity, can realistically turn this vision into reality.
