This monitoring period covers the entire growth period from sowing 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, which will be harvested in November.

The proportion of irrigated cropland in Vietnam is 32%. Therefore, precipitation is an important factor controlling crop production. CropWatch agro-climatic indicators shows slightly decreased RAIN (ΔRAIN -7%) and increased TEMP (ΔTEMP +0.9°C) compared to the 15-year average. With the decreased precipitation, the BIOMSS (1488 gDM/m²) was the same as 15YA due to the increase in RADPAR (ΔRADPAR +4%). The VCIx was 0.94 and the CALF was at the 5YA. The cropping intensity (153%) was at an average level. The crop production index in this monitoring period was 1.00, which represented a normal crop production situation. 

Based on the NDVI development graph, the crop conditions were below the 5-year average throughout the whole monitoring period. Particularly in August, the NDVI showed a sharp drop which may have been caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. During the whole monitoring period, precipitation was generally below the 15YA but surpassed the average in late September and late October. The temperature was above the 15-year average. As to the spatial distribution of NDVI profiles, the crop conditions in most of the country were below average during the whole monitoring period. The drops in NDVI are most likely caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. The peaks in all clusters were close to the average. 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, the TEMP (ΔTEMP +0.6°C) was above the average. Although the RAIN decreased by 7%, the BIOMSS still had a slight increase (ΔBIOMSS +1%), which may have been caused by the increase of RADPAR by 8%. The cropping intensity (147%) decreased by 4%. CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.96. According to the crop condition development graph, the NDVI dropped in late July, early August and early September, which may have been caused by the cloud cover in the satellite images，while NDVI fluctuated around the average level in other times. The CPI was 1.01. The crop conditions were close to the average.

In the Mekong River Delta, the TEMP (ΔTEMP +0.3°C) was above the average. Although the RAIN (ΔRAIN -1%) was below the 15YA, the BIOMASS (ΔBIOMSS +1%) was above average due to the increase of the RADPAR (ΔRADPAR +3%). The cropping intensity (179%) dropped by 2%. VCIx was 0.89 and CALF was 90%. 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 and late August, which may have been caused by the cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.01. Crop production was expected to be close to the average.

In the North Central Coast, due to significantly decreased RAIN (ΔRAIN -10%), increased TEMP (ΔTEMP +1.0°C) and RADPAR (ΔRADPAR +1%), the BIOMSS showed a decrease compared to the 15YA (ΔBIOMSS -1%). VCIx was 0.93 and CALF was 98%. The cropping intensity (129%) decreased by 4%. According to the NDVI-based development graph, the crop conditions were below the 5YA during the whole monitoring period. NDVI dropped sharply in late July, which may have been caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 0.98. Crop conditions in this region were slightly below the average.

In the North East, TEMP and RADPAR were both above the average (ΔTEMP +1.2°C; ΔRADPAR +4%). Although RAIN decreased (ΔRAIN -9%), BIOMSS  was at an average level. The cropping intensity was higher than the 5YA (+3%). CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.95. According to the NDVI-based development graph, the NDVI was below the 5YA during the whole monitoring period. Because of the influence of the clouds in the satellite images the NDVI suddenly dropped below the 5YA in August. The CPI was 0.98. Overall, the crop conditions were estimated to be below the average.

In the North West, the TEMP (ΔTEMP +1.0°C) was above the average. Although the RAIN decreased by 14%, the BIOMSS (ΔBIOMSS +2%) was above average, which may have been caused by the increase of RADPAR (ΔRADPAR +3%). CALF was 100% and VCIx was 0.96. According to the agroclimatic indicators, crop conditions were generally near the 5YA in most of the monitoring period. In August, the NDVI dropped sharply because of the influence of the clouds in the satellite images. The CPI was 0.99. The crop conditions were close to the average.

In the Red River Delta, increased TEMP (ΔTEMP +0.9°C), sharply decreased RAIN (ΔRAIN -22%), and increased RADPAR (ΔRADPAR +2%) all resulted in decreased BIOMSS (ΔBIOMSS -5%). The CALF was 97% and the VCIx was 0.93. The region showed a high cropping intensity of 178, above the 5YA by 9%. According to the crop condition development graph, crop conditions were below the 5YA in most of the monitoring period, particularly in August, the NDVI dropped sharply which may have been caused by cloud cover in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.02. The crop conditions were below the average.

In the South Central Coast, TEMP was above average (ΔTEMP +1.3°C). Although the RAIN decreased by -8%, the BIOMSS still enhanced by 1%, which may have been caused by the significant increase of RADPAR (ΔRADPAR +10%). CALF was 97% and VCIx was 0.95. The cropping intensity was 130%, with a drop of 6%. According to the crop condition development graph, crop conditions were generally near the 5YA during the whole monitoring period. The CPI was 1.04. Crop conditions were expected to be favorable.

In the South East, the RAIN (ΔRAIN -1%) was lower than the 15YA. But with the TEMP (ΔTEMP +0.6°C) close to the average and the RADPAR increased significantly by 7%, the resulting BIOMASS showed a slight increase by 1%. CALF was 96% and VCIx was 0.92. The cropping intensity (142%) decreased by 1%. According to the crop condition development graph, crop conditions fluctuated greatly. In mid-July and late August, the NDVI was far below average because of the influence of the clouds in the satellite images. The CPI was 1.01. Crop production in this region were estimated to be near average.

Figure 3.45 Vietnam's crop conditions, July – October 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