This report covers the entire period from the sowing to harvesting of summer-rice in the central part. Spring-winter rice was harvested in May. The planting of summer-autumn rice and rainy season rice in the North had started in July, and they will be harvested in September and October.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Vietnam is 32%. Therefore, precipitation is an important factor controlling crop production. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed average precipitation (1128 mm) and TEMP (24.5°C, -0.4°C). Because of higher RADPAR (1262 MJ/m2, 5%), an increase in estimated biomass resulted (BIOMSS +3%), as compared to the 15YA. The CALF was close to the 5YA (at 97%, +1%) while the VCIx (0.94) was at a high level.

Based on the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were generally close to the 5YA. In April, the crop conditions were above the 5YA and almost reached the maximum of 5 years. Due to the presence of clouds in the satellite images, the NDVI suffered a serious drop in May, and in subsequent months, but it reached the 5YA in late July. From April to July, the precipitation was generally near the 15YA and even surpassed the average in early April and May. The temperature was below the 15YA in the early monitoring period except for late April but it was near the 15YA in June and July. As to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, crop conditions on 47.3% were near average, mainly located in Thanh Hoa Province, Nghe An Province, Ha Tinh Province, Quang Binh Province and the South Central Coast of Vietnam. Overall, the crop conditions were favorable.

Regional analysis

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

In the Central Highlands, RAIN was above the 15YA (1274 mm, +5%) and TEMP was below the 15YA (23.2°C,-0.5°C).  Due to an 8% RADPAR increase, BIOMSS also increased slightly (1476 gDM/m2, +5%). CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.96. The crop condition development graph based on the NDVI indicated that the crop conditions were near the average in May and early June, and surpassed the 5-year-maximum in April. Because of the influence of the clouds in the satellite images the NDVI suddenly dropped below the 5YA in early July, and then returned to the 5YA by the end of this monitoring period. Crop conditions were expected to be above average.

In the Mekong River Delta, with decreased TEMP (27.5°C, -0.5°C), significantly increased RAIN (1171 mm, +12%) and RADPAR (1341 MJ/m2, +5%), BIOMSS increased by 6%. VCIx was 0.90 and CALF was 87%. According to the NDVI‐based development graph, crop conditions were below the 5YA during the whole monitoring period. The crop conditions were expected to be slightly below average.

The situations of agro-climatic indicators in the North Central Coast were the same as in the Mekong River Delta. Increased RAIN (1030 mm, 11%) and RADPAR (1267 MJ/m2, +6%) and decreased TEMP (24.1°C, -0.8°C) all resulted in the increased BIOMASS (1414 gDM/m2, +6%). CALF was 99% and VCIx was 0.96. According to the NDVI-based development graph, crop conditions were below the 5YA, except in April and late July. Crop production was expected to be below average.

In the North East, TEMP was near the 15YA (23.8°C, -0.1°C) and RADAR was above the average (1199 MJ/m2, +3%). Although RAIN (1267 mm) decreased by 11%, BIOMSS (1484 gDM/m2) was still the same as the average (+0%). CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.94. According to the NDVI‐based development graph, due to the influence of cloud, the NDVI greatly dropped below the 5YA in May and June. It was at average levels in April and July. Overall, the crop conditions were estimated to be average.

In the North West, RADPAR was above the 15YA (1241 MJ/m2, +4%). While TEMP and RAIN were both below the 15YA (22.8°C, -0.2%; 1078 mm, -5%), BIOMSS decreased slightly (1397 gDM/m2, -1%). CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.86. According to the agroclimatic indicators, crop conditions in this region had a big fluctuation: In the middle of the monitoring period, the NDVI sharply dropped below the 5YA, which may have been caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. In April and July, the conditions were average. Overall, crop conditions in this region were slightly below the average.

In the Red River Delta, RAIN and RADPAR increased significantly (1153 mm, +8%; 1244 MJ/m2, +4%). TEMP was slightly below the average (26.0°C, -0.8°C) and BIOMSS was near the 15YA (1495 gDM/m2, +1%). CALF was 96% and VCIx was 0.88. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was below the 5YA during the whole monitoring period except late April and early June. Based on the agroclimatic indicators, the crop conditions in this region were below the average.

In the South Central Coast, TEMP (24.0°C, -0.2°C) was on average. Because of the increased RAIN (1112 mm, +8%) and RADPAR (1293 MJ/m2, +5%), the BIOMSS increased by 7%. CALF was 96% and VCIx was 0.88. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was above the 5YA during the whole monitoring period. Crop conditions were expected to be favorable.

In South East, average TEMP (26.2°C, -0.2%), slightly decreased RAIN (1112 mm, -6%), increased RADPAR (1293 MJ/m2, +5%) all resulted in increased BIOMSS (1517 gDM/m2, +3%). CALF was 95% and VCIx was 0.91. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was closed to the 5YA in April and May, but it dropped at the end of this monitoring period. Crop production in this region was close to the 5YA.

Figure 3.45 Vietnam's crop conditions, April – July 2022

(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 Central Coast Vietnam (left), and North East Vietnam (right).

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

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

Table 3.80 Vietnam's agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA,  April – July 2022

Table 3.81 Vietnam's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA,  April - July 2022