A comparative research on the catalytic activity of La2O3 and gamma-Al2O3 supported Ni and Co catalysts was conducted for hydrogen production via acetic acid steam reforming. Supported on the special La2O3, Ni and Co showed higher H-2 and CO2 selectivities due to the basicity and CO2 absorption characteristics compared with that on gamma-Al2O3. Moreover, Ni catalysts performed better than Co by largely suppressing CH4 formation. Ni/La2O3 presented the best activity towards hydrogen production by totally converting acetic acid with a hydrogen yield of 80.9% at 700 degrees C. And it was found that S/C = 2.5 was essential for sufficient hydrogen yield. The high performance of Ni/La at S/C = 2.5 and T = 700 degrees C was stably maintained for 38 h. In addition, the decrease in activity was kept less than 10% and the final hydrogen yield was at about 73%. (C) 2016 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.