The monitoring period covers the growth of the 10th month rice, as well as the sowing of winter and spring rice in Vietnam. Most of the rice  cultivation regions are distributed in the northern Red River delta and the Mekong delta in the south.  Overall, the condition is above the reference 5YA in 43.4% of croplands where a VCIx near 0.93 confirms the favorable situation. Unfavorable crops occur in about 11.5% of the arable land (mainly in the southwest and a small area in the north of the country). CropWatch agroclimatic indicators show that precipitation（+38%）, BIOMSS (+27%) and VCIx（0.93） were above their respective reference averages (15YA and 5YA) while temperature（-0.4°C） and CALF（0.95） were about average. RADPAR was significantly below average（14%）.Overall crop condition in the country is satisfactory.

Region analysis

Based on cropping systems, climatic zones, and topographic conditions, several agro-ecological zones (AEZ) can be distinguished for Vietnam, among which three are most relevant for crops cultivation: the Southern zone with the Mekong Delta, Northern zone with Red river Delta and Central coastal areas from Thanh Hoa to Khanh Hoa.

The fraction of cropped arable land (CALF) in the Southern zone for the reporting period is similar to the five-year average (+2%). Vegetation condition indices (maximum VCI) are quite favorable (0.96), accompanied by an increase in BIOMSS (+34%) resulting from good rainfall (RAIN, +35%) along with a decrease in radiation (RADPAR, -8%) and average temperature (TEMP, -0.3°C). CropWatch expects good production in the area.

The Northern zone recorded abundant rainfall (RAIN +58%), well below average RAPAR (-21°C) and average TEMP (-0.4°C). With the CALF and BIOMSS unchanged compared to the average (5YA), VCIx was high (0.93). While the crop condition development graph of NDVI indicates values below the average of 5 years, except in November and December. Based on the agroclimatic indicators and NDVI development graph, below average output is likely.

The situation and expected impact on crop production is almost identical to the Southern zone in the Central coastal areas with the exception of more abundant rainfall and average temperature: RAIN +32%; TEMP  -0.5°C; RADPAR  -18%; BIOMSS +27%; VCIx 0.89; and CALF, +30%. The crop condition development graph based on NDVI an erratic behavior and its interpretation is inconclusive. According to agroclimatic indicators, average output is expected.

Over 80% of the croplands show average or better than average crop condition, with unfavorable crops in some  mountain areas such as Ha Nam, Hoang Mai, and Hung Yen. Overall, with the mentioned caveats, crop prospects are expect to be satisfactory.

Figure 3.33. Vietnam crop condition, October 2017-January 2018

                                     Figure 3.33a. Vietnam phenology of major crops

Figure 3.33b. Vietnam national level crop condition development graph based on NDVI, comparing the October 2017-January 2018 period to the previous season and the five-year average (5YA) and maximum

Figure 3.33c. Vietnam maximum VCI for October2017-January 2018 by pixel

Figure 3.33d. Vietnam spatial NDVI patterns up to October 2017-January 2018 accordingto local cropping patterns and compared to 5YA (left) and (e) associated NDVIprofiles (right)

Figure 3.33f. crop condition development graph based on NDVISouthern zone with Mekong Delta ((right)
Northern zone with REd river Delta (left)

Figure 3.33h. Central coastal areas from Thanh Hoa to Khanh Hoa (Vietnam) crop condition development graph based on NDVI

Table 3.87 Vietnam agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current seasonvalues and departure from 15YA, October 2017-January 2018

Table 3.88 Vietnam agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season values and departure form 5YA, October 2017-January 2018