This monitoring period covers the entire period from the planting to harvesting of spring-winter rice in the Mekong river delta and rainy season rice in the north. In July, summer rice in Central Vietnam was harvested, followed by the planting of rainy season rice in August and September. It will be harvested in November.

CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed higher precipitation (1451 mm, +3%), and TEMP (24.0°C, +0.2°C) as compared to the 15YA. Combined with above average radiation (1152, +5%), the BIOMSS (+2%) showed an increase compared to the 15YA. The VCIx (0.95) was high, and the CALF (97%, +1%) was above the 5YA. The cropping intensity was also above the five-year average (139%, +2%).

Based on the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were below the 5YA during the whole monitoring period, especially from September to the end of this monitoring period. From July to August the precipitation was below the 15YA,  but surpassed it after September, while the temperature was near the 15YA, except for a spike in early August. As to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, crop conditions on about 48% of the country were above the average, mainly distributed over Tuyen Quang Province, Cao Bang Province, Thai Binh Province, Thanh Hoa Province and Nam Dinh Province. Overall, the crop conditions are assessed as normal, except for the South Central Coast, where they were below average.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, several agro-ecological zones (AEZ) can be distinguished for Vietnam: Central Highlands, Mekong River Delta, North Central Coast, North East, North West, Red River Delta, South Central Coast, and South East.

In the Central Highlands, RAIN was significantly higher than the 15YA (1658 mm, +9%) and TEMP was near the 15YA (22.7°C). The RADPAR (1058 MJ/m², +3%) and the BIOMSS (1473 gDM/m², +2%) were both above the 15YA. Cropping intensity (115%, -9%) significantly decreased. CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.96. The crop condition development graph shows that NDVI fluctuated greatly. Based on the agroclimatic indicators, the crop conditions were mixed.

In the Mekong River Delta region, TEMP (26.9°C, +0.2°C) was close to the 15YA, and RADPAR (1240 MJ/m², +4%) was above the 15YA. The RAIN (1259 mm, -7%) was below average. The cropping intensity (184%, +7%) was significantly higher than the 5YA. CALF was higher (91%, +4%) and VCIx was 0.91. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were above the 5YA in early July and August. Overall, the crop conditions were near average. 

In the region of North Central Coast, RAIN increased 3% compared to the 15YA, and TEMP was 23.8°C with an increase by 0.2°C. RADPAR (1133 MJ/m², +7%) showed a significantly increase, and BIOMSS increased slightly (+3%). Cropping intensity (119%, -7%) was significantly below the 5YA. CALF was the same as the 5YA, and VCIx was 0.96. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were slightly below the 5YA, expect in the July showing a high value exceeding the 5-year-maximum. Crop condition in this region are expected to be near average.

In the North East region, TEMP (23.5°C, +0.1°C) was about the 15YA. As the RAIN (1565 mm, +4%) and RADPAR (1165 MJ/m², +6%) both increased and were above the 15YA, the BIOMSS (1534 gDM/m², +5%) was above average. Cropping intensity (146%, +13%) was significantly higher than the 5YA. CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.98. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions were below the 5YA, especially in the early September and October. Overall, the crop conditions were expected to be favorable at most.

In the North West region, RAIN (1143 mm, +8%) showed a remarkable increase, and the TEMP (22.0°C, +0.2°C) was about the 15YA. RADPAR increased by 6%, which resulted in an increase of the BIOMSS (1399 gDM/m², +2%). Cropping intensity (127%, +5%) was higher than the 5YA. CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.98. According to the NDVI development graph, except in early September and October, NDVI values were below the 5YA. Crop conditions in this region were expected to be average at most.

In the region of Red River Delta, RAIN (1572 mm, +7%) and RADPAR (1185 MJ/m², +3%) increased significantly. TEMP (26.4°C, +0.1°C) was near the 15YA and the BIOMSS (1662 gDM/m², +4%) was higher. Cropping intensity (151%, +1%) was slightly above the 5YA. CALF was 97% and VCIx was 0.93. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was generally below the 15YA. Regarding the agroclimatic indicators, the crop conditions in this region were near average.

In the South Central Coast, despite the increases of RAIN (1464 mm, +14%), TEMP (23.8°C, +0.4°C) and RADPAR (1109 MJ/m2, +4%), BIOMSS (1379 gDM/m², 0%) was still the same as the 15YA. Cropping intensity (135%, -3%) was reduced. CALF was 96% and VCIx was 0.89. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was both below the 5YA and the value of last year. Thus, crop conditions in this region were below average.

In the South East region, RAIN (1553 mm, -3%) was below the 15YA, TEMP (25.4°C, +0.2%) and RADPAR (1191 MJ/m², +4%) were both above the 15YA, while BIOMSS (1542 gDM/m², 0%) was the same as the 15YA. Cropping intensity (124%, -3%) was below the 5YA. CALF was 96% and VCIx was 0.97. As shown by the crop condition development graph, the NDVI fluctuated greatly. According to the agroclimatic indicators, crop conditions in this region were mixed.

Figure 3.44 Vietnam's crop condition, July - October 2021

(a). Phenology of major crops

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI

(c) Maximum VCI

(d) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                          (e) NDVI profiles

(f) Rainfall profiles                                                                 (g) Temperature profiles

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI Central Highlands Vietnam (left), and Mekong River Delta (right).

(i) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI North West Vietnam (left), and Red River Delta (right).

(j) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI South Central Coast Vietnam (left), and South East Vietnam (right).

(k) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI North Central Coast Vietnam (left), and North East Vietnam (right).

(l) Proportion of NDVI anomaly categories compared with 5YA

(m) Proportion of VHIm categories compared with 5YA

Table 3.79 Vietnam's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  July - October 2021 

Table 3.80 Vietnam's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA, July - October 2021