This report summarizes the rice production conditions in Vietnam in the reporting period. Summer and autumn rice harvesting has been completed, while late rice is still in its growing season. Precipitation for the country was nearly 13% higher as compared to the 15YA. South Central Coast (+25%) and Northern Vietnam(+21%) are the two regions that received the highest precipitation, alleviating the drought conditions which were observed during the previous reporting period.  Apart from precipitation, temperature (+0.2 °C) and RADPAR (-1%) were slightly above average.

Crop condition development based on NDVI was significantly lower than the 5YA. Apart from the Red River Delta and the North West region, all the regions had a similar pattern of NDVI, starting close to but below average and staying below average until October. The drops in October might have been due to cloud cover in the satellite images or floods caused by typhoons. The VCIx was generally above 0.8, except for the South Central Coast and the coastal provinces of the Mekong Delta where VCIx was low.  The CALF was stable as compared to the recent five-year average. Vietnam was hit by a series of typhoons in October. Most of the rice had been harvested by then. Overall, due to slightly unfavorable crop conditions and stable cropped areas, crop outputs are estimated to be slightly below normal.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones and topographic conditions, several agro-ecological zones (AEZ) can be distinguished for Vietnam: North   Central Coast (202), North East (203), Red River Delta (204), South East   (205), South Central Coast (206), North West (207), Central highlands (208),   Mekong River Delta (209).

During this reporting period, the rainy season rice crop cultivation in the North Central Coast passed through 3 phases: sowing, growing and harvesting. RAIN was 21% above average, while the temperature was 24.1°C, an increase by 0.5°C as compared to the 15YA. RADPAR was below average (-2%) and BIOMASS was   above average (+ 6%). The crop conditions were below average from July to September.  Overall, VCIx was 0.94 and CALF was close to average, indicating moderate  conditions in this region.

In the North West, the average rainfall was 21% above average and TEMP was also higher (+0.2°C) as compared to the 15YA. RADPAR was below average (-4%). In general, the climate condition pattern showed a small departure from the 15-year baseline. BIOMSS was above   average (+ 2%) and the VCIx was in the range of 0.8 to 1. The NDVI profiles in   the region showed spatial variations, and the values of this indicator  decreased between July and September. CALF reached 100%. Generally, the crop conditions were close to average.

In the Red River Delta, RAIN (+9%) and TEMP  (+0.1°C) were above average and the VCIx was 0.92. RADPAR (-6%) and   BIOMSS (-6%) were below the 15-year average. The crop condition development  graph based on NDVI fluctuated greatly from 0.3 to 0.7. CALF increased by 1%. Overall, this region had below average crop conditions.

In the South East, total rainfall was 1553 mm, 2% below 15YA. Temperature was 25.4°C (+0.3°C). RADPAR was higher than average (+2%). BIOMSS was above average (+2%) as well. The crop condition graph based on NDVI presented some below-average values. Overall, VCIx (0.95) and CALF (+1%) indicated normal conditions in this region.

During this reporting period, the summer-autumn rice crop in the South  Central Coast reached maturity. Most of the crop was harvested before the typhoons hit the region.  RAIN was 25% above average, while TEMP was 23.7°C(0.4°C) and  RADPAR (+4%) were above average. BIOMSS was also above average (+4%). The crop conditions were below average from July to  September. VCIx (0.89) and CALF (96%), in combination with the other CropWatch indicators, presented generally favorable crop conditions.

The summer-autumn rice crop in the Central Highlands passed  through 2 phases: sowing and growing. RAIN was 3% above average and TEMP was 22.8°C(+0.2°C) as compared to the 15YA. RADPAR was above average (+12%). Despite the big reduction in rainfall, BIOMSS was above average (+9%). The crop   conditions were below average . Overall, high VCIx (0.98) and stable CALF(100%)   indicated normal conditions in this region.

During this reporting period, the Spring-Winter rice crop in the Mekong River Delta had reached maturity and got harvested in October. RAIN (+7%) and TEMP (+0.1℃) were above average. RADPAR stayed near average (0%) and BIOMSS was slightly below average (-1%). The crop condition graph based on NDVI was below average during the previous monitoring period and stayed below average during this period as well. The poor water supply from the Mekong River continued to have a detrimental effect on rice production in the delta. VCIx (0.88) and CALF (86%) indicated unsatisfactory conditions in this region.