Event report
HN | Throwback | Hydrogen Horizons: Fueling Vietnam–France Energy Collaboration
Hydrogen Horizons, organized by the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Vietnam, with the support of the University of Science and Technology of Hanoi and the Vietnam ASEAN Hydrogen Club, brought together key stakeholders to explore the future of hydrogen and unlock new opportunities for Vietnam–France collaboration.
A special thank you to Prof. Jean-Marc Lavest, Principal Rector of USTH, and Prof. Patrice Estellé, Director of Research and International Affairs, as well as the USTH and VAHC teams, for their invaluable support in making this event a success.
The event opened with remarks from Dr. Rémi Nguyen, Vice President of CCIFV, setting the tone for a forward-looking and action-driven discussion.
- Setting the scene
The first session set the stage by exploring Vietnam’s hydrogen landscape and regulatory framework. Assoc. Prof. Tran Dinh Phong (USTH) outlined national ambitions for green hydrogen production, highlighting early applications across key sectors and opportunities for research collaboration. Building on this, Mr. Le Ngoc Anh Minh (VAHC) shared insights on global market trends and the rapid rise of investment in hydrogen. Dr. Cao Thuy Oanh (VAHC) then framed Vietnam’s strategy as a “triple opportunity” — strengthening energy security, driving industrial development, and expanding export potential. From a regulatory standpoint, Mr. Pham Bach Duong (Hogan Lovells) provided a clear overview of the legal framework, balancing stringent project requirements with attractive incentives such as cost reductions and minimum offtake guarantees.
- From strategy to action
The second session shifted from strategy to action, focusing on industrial applications and French expertise. Mr. Edward Jung (Air Liquide Vietnam) presented the group’s global hydrogen vision, emphasizing its role in decarbonizing industry and enabling clean mobility, as well as the need to scale solutions to enhance cost efficiency across the value chain. Dr. Tran Khanh Viet Dung (HDF Energy) complemented this perspective with a strong focus on implementation, highlighting the importance of pilot projects and outlining key next steps, including feasibility studies, regulatory approvals, and access to international financing.
- The takeaway
Overall, the discussions confirmed hydrogen’s strong potential in Vietnam, not only as a clean energy solution, but as the foundation of a new industrial ecosystem. The priority now is clear: move from strategy to concrete projects, with Vietnam–France cooperation playing a pivotal role in accelerating this transition.
