Summer and autumn rice harvesting has been completed, while late rice is still in its growing season. Generally, compared with the average of the past five years and the last year, the crop condition in Vietnam was rather low, but increased over the 5YA after September. About 32.6% of cropped areas in the south and north showed favorable crop condition throughout the monitoring period, an improvement during this period, which is in agreement with the high VCIx in this area.

High rainfall fell over the country in August, but low precipitation set in after September, so that total rainfall (1310 mm) was below average by -5%. The temperature profile shows heat peak in July. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators also show globally average temperature (0.1°C), abundant sunshine (RADPAR up 6%), high CALF at 98%, VCIx at 1.0 and slight increase in BIOMSS (+2%).  Overall current crop condition in the country is average.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, several agro-ecological zones (AEZ) can be distinguished for Vietnam, among which three are most relevant for crops cultivation: Northern zone with Red river Delta, the Central coastal areas from Thanh Hoa to Khanh Hoa and Southern zone with the Mekong Delta.

The Northern zone with the Red river Delta recorded just above average precipitation (RAIN +3%) with abundant sunshine (RADPAR +7%). With average temperature (TEMP +0.3°C anomaly)，above average cropping intensity (+10%), CALF at 99% and VCIx at 0.98, the BIOMSS increased 1% compared to the average. The NDVI development graph showed values were around the 5 years average. Based on the agro-climatic indicators and NDVI development graph, output is likely to be at least average.

The situation in the Central coastal areas from Thanh Hoa to Khanh Hoa is conditioned by low precipitation (RAIN -13%) and a mixture of single and double cropping (CI -5%), about average temperature (TEMP +0.2°C) and abundant sunshine (RADPAR +8%). BIOMSS is about average. VCIx (0.95) and CALF (+0.9%) describe fair to good condition. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI showed that crop condition was below the 5 years average from July to September, but surpassed the 5 years maximum of 5 years in October. Output is likely to be about the average.

The Southern zone with the Mekong Delta recorded low RAIN (-8%), above average RADPAR (+5%) and cropping intensity (+12%), and average TEMP (-0.1°C). As a result BIOMSS increased by 3% compared with averages. VCIx was high (0.96) with CALF up 2.5% above the average. The crop condition development graph of NDVI indicates below average crop condition from July to September, but above average and the last year after September. CropWatch expects slightly increased production, especially for late crops.

Figure 3.33. Vietnam crop condition, July - October 2019

Figure 3.33a. Vietnam phenology of major crops 

Figure 3.33b. Vietnam national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the July - October 2019 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.33c. Vietnam maximum VCI for July - October 2019 by pixel

Figure 3.33d. Vietnam spatial NDVI patterns up to October 2019 according to local cropping patterns and compared to 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVI profiles (right)

Figure 3.33f. Southern Vietnam (Vietnam) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.33g. Northern Vietnam (Vietnam) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Figure 3.33h. Central Vietnam (Vietnam) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.87 Vietnam’s agroclimatic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, July - October 2019

Table 3.88 Vietnam’s agronomic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA/15YA, July - October 2019