This report covers the entire period from the sowing to the 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 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 in controlling crop production. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators showed TEMP (25.7°C, +0.8°C) was above the average. Although there was a higher RADPAR (1267 MJ/m2, 5%), BIOMSS (1433 gDM/m²) was the same as the 15YA due to the below-average RAIN (1039 mm, -9%). The VCIx was 0.92, and the CALF (97%, 0%) was at 5YA. The CPI in this monitoring period was 1.11, which represents a normal crop production situation.

Based on the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were below the 5YA throughout the whole monitoring period. The precipitation was below average during the monitoring period except in June. The temperature was also below the 15YA in the whole monitoring period. The spatial distribution of the NDVI profiles shows that the crop conditions in most of the country were below average during the whole monitoring period. But 5.5% of the national crop land exceeded the average in May and June. The drops in NDVI are most likely artifacts caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. Therefore, crop conditions can be assessed as normal.

Regional analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, Vietnam can be divided into several agro-ecological zones (AEZ): Central Highlands (213), Mekong River Delta (214), North Central Coast (215), North East (216), North West (217), Red River Delta (218), South Central Coast (219) and South East (220).

In the Central Highlands, RAIN was above the 15YA (1294 mm, +5%), and TEMP was above the 15YA (24.0°C, +0.4°C).  Due to a 5% RADPAR increase, BIOMSS also increased slightly (1465 gDM/m², +4%). CALF was 99%, and VCIx was 0.94. The crop condition development graph based on the NDVI indicated that the crop conditions were near the average in most of the monitoring period. Because of the influence of the clouds in the satellite images, the NDVI suddenly dropped below the 5YA in July. The CPI was 1.14. Crop conditions were expected to be above average.

In the Mekong River Delta, the TEMP (28.2°C, 0.3°C) was above the average. The RAIN (1028 mm, -2%) and RADPAR (1258 MJ/m², -2%) were below 15YA. The BIOMASS (1627 gDM/m², 1%) was above average. VCIx was 0.90 and CALF was 86%. According to the NDVI‐based development graph, crop conditions were below the 5YA in most of the monitoring period, and there was a sharp drop in July, which may have been caused by the cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.12. The crop conditions were expected to be slightly below average.

In the North Central Coast, the TEMP (25.8°C, +1.0°C) was above the average. Although the RADPAR (1294 MJ/m², +7%) was above the average, the BIOMSS (1346 gDM/m²) was at an average level; this condition can be attributed to the decrease of RAIN (846 mm, -12%). The VCIx was 0.91, and CALF was 99%. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was below the average throughout the whole monitoring period. The CPI was 1.06. The crop conditions in this region are expected to be below the average due to the impacts of rainfall deficit.

In the North East, the TEMP (25.1°C, +1.2°C) was above the average. Although the RADPAR increased by 5%, the BIOMSS still dropped by 1%, which may have been caused by the decrease in RAIN (1235 mm, -14%). CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.94. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI was close to the 5YA in May but dropped in April and June, which may have been caused by the cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.12. The crop conditions were close to the average.

In the North West, the TEMP (24.4°C, +1.4°C) was above the average. Although the RAIN (987 mm, -14%) decreased by 14%, the BIOMSS was above average, which may have been caused by the increase of RADPAR (1311 MJ/m², +9%). CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.93. According to the agroclimatic indicators, crop conditions were generally near the 5YA during the whole monitoring period. The CPI was 1.12. The crop conditions were close to the average.

In the Red River Delta, TEMP (27.3°C, +0.5°C) was above the average. Although the RADPAR increased by 2%, the BIOMSS still dropped by 4%, which may have been caused by the decrease in RAIN (925 mm, -16%). CALF was 97% and VCIx was 0.90. According to the agroclimatic indicators, crop conditions were generally near the 5YA during most of the monitoring period, and there was a sharp drop in April, which may have been caused by the cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.12. The crop conditions were close to the average.

In the South Central Coast, TEMP (25.3°C, +1.0°C) and RADPAR (1353 MJ/m2, +10%) were above the average. Although RAIN (801 mm) decreased by 16%, BIOMSS (1281 gDM/m2) was still above the average (+1%). CALF was 97%, and VCIx was 0.93. According to the crop condition development graph, crop conditions were generally near or slightly above the 5YA during the whole monitoring period. The CPI was 1.15. Crop conditions were expected to be favorable.

In the South East, the RAIN (1164 mm, -2%) was lower than the 15YA. But with the RADPAR (1254 MJ/m², 1%) close to the average and the TEMP (26.8°C, 0.5°C) increased by 0.5°C, the resulting BIOMASS (1463 gDM/m², -1%) showed a slight decrease by 1%. CALF was 95%, and VCIx was 0.90. According to the agroclimatic indicators, crop conditions were generally near the 5YA during most of the monitoring period, and there was a sharp drop in July, which may have been caused by the cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.12. Crop production in this region was close to the 5YA.

Figure 3.45 Vietnam's crop conditions, April – July 2023

(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 2023

Table 3.81 Vietnam's agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 5YA,  April - July 2023