Vietnam is the world’s second largest exporter of rice. The monitoring period covered the growth of the 10th month rice, as well as the sowing of winter and spring rice. Most of the rice cultivation regions are distributed over the northern Red River delta and the Mekong Delta in the south. Precipitation for the country was nearly 31% higher as compared to the 15YA, and Temperature (-0.6 °C) was below average slight. North Central Coast (+77%) and South Central Coast (+43%) are the two regions that received the highest precipitation, alleviating the drought conditions which were observed during the previous reporting period. But more precipitation leads to less sunlight and photosynthesis decreased, with RADPAR (-9%) and BIOMSS (-18%) were below average significantly.

Crop condition development based on NDVI was significantly lower than the 5YA. Apart from the Red River Delta and North West, the rest of regions had a similar pattern of NDVI, starting below obviously and then were closed to average until January. 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. Overall, crop condition in the country is unsatisfactory.

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).

In the Central Highlands, TEMP was below average (-0.5°C), while rainfall was above 31% significantly. But more precipitation leads to less sunlight and photosynthesis decreased, with RADPAR (-10%) and BIOMSS (-18%). Although high VCIx (0.94) values and cropped arable land fraction (99%) , crop condition in this region was unsatisfactory.

The situation in the Mekong River Delta was closed to average, (RAIN +13%) and average temperature (TEMP +0.2°C). But RADPAR and BIOMSS were below average (-6% and -12%, respectively). VCIx was 0.88 and CALF was 90%. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI showed that crop condition was below to the 5 years average and up to average until January. Overall, crop conditions were below average.

During this reporting period, the winter-spring rice crop cultivation in the North Central Coast passed through 2 phases: sowing, harvesting. RAIN was 77% above average, while the temperature was 17.2°C, a decrease by 0.8°C as compared to the 15YA. RADPAR was below average (-18%) and BIOMSS was below average obviously (-33%). The crop conditions were below average during the whole monitoring period. Overall, crop conditions were poor in this region.

North East recorded 387 mm of rainfall over four months (RAIN +4%). Temperature (-0.7°C) and RADPAR(-3%) was average. The decrease in BIOMSS was 15% compared to the 15 years average. Crop condition development graph based on NDVI showed condition was below average in this region.

North West recorded RAIN (+5%), below average RADPAR (-4%) and temperature (-0.6°C). As a result, BIOMSS decreased by 18% compared with average. VCIx (0.99) and CALF (100%) were high. The crop condition development graph of NDVI indicated average crop condition from October 2020 to January 2021.

In the Red River Delta, rainfall was 12% above the average and the temperature was down by 0.8°C. Both RADPAR and BIOMSS were all below average (-8% and -18%, respectively). This region is known for the wide cultivation of rice. The crop condition development graph of NDVI was below average and crop conditions turned to be closed to average in January. The VCIx (0.87) and CALF (91%) also confirmed the unfavorable crop conditions.

In the South Central Coast, the average rainfall was 43% above average and TEMP (-0.4°C) was closed to average. RADPAR was below average (-30%). Despite the dramatic increase in rainfall, BIOMSS was below average (-40%) due to less sunshine, and the crop condition was below the average during the whole monitoring period. Overall, crop conditions were bad in this region.

In the South East of Vietnam, crop conditions were below to average from October to December in 2020, but were closed average since January 2021. The agro-climatic condition showed that rainfall (+21%), TEMP (-0.4°C), RADPAR (-6%), VCIx (0.92), and CALF (96%) compared to be the average, and BIOMSS decreased by 11%.

Figure 3.44 Vietnam's crop condition, October 2020-January 2021

Table 3.78 Vietnam’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, October 2020-January 2021