AI-enabled integrated monitoring and forecasting of saltwater intrusion in the Red River Delta coastal region

In response to increasingly unpredictable saltwater intrusion that threatens livelihoods in Vietnam’s coastal Red River Delta, VinFuture Foundation, in collaboration with the University of Natural Sciences of Vietnam National University Hanoi, has launched the project “Integration of physical models and data-driven models in monitoring and forecasting saltwater intrusion to support green agriculture development in several coastal areas of the Red River Delta.”

Project scope and technology approach

The project will build an integrated, multi-technology monitoring and forecasting system. It combines physical models and AI models, including machine learning and deep learning, with remote sensing data, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and a network of IoT sensors.

According to the research team, multi-source data will be synchronized on the space-time DataCube platform. When integrated with physical models, AI models, remote sensing, IoT, and WebGIS, the platform is designed to generate a digital map that monitors conditions and issues saltwater intrusion alerts with near real-time timeliness.

Early warning timeline and intended benefits

The platform is expected to provide early warnings of saltwater intrusion 1–5 days in advance. The “golden window” is intended to help coastal farmers adjust planting schedules and plan water storage and management, with the goal of reducing economic losses caused by environmental impacts.

Implementation timeline and participating organizations

The project is expected to run for two years. It involves domestic and international organizations, including Thuy Loi University (Vietnam), the Institute of Water Resources Science (Vietnam), Nanyang Technological University (Singapore), and the University of Edinburgh (Scotland).

Expected impact and leadership perspective

The research team expects the project to function as a “digital shield,” enabling coastal provinces to help farmers proactively respond to saltwater intrusion, minimize losses, and protect livelihoods. The initiative is also intended to support a transition toward green, climate-resilient agriculture.

Dr. Le Thai Ha, Executive Director of VinFuture Foundation, said the project is expected to enhance saltwater intrusion monitoring and forecasting capabilities while providing practical support for citizens and authorities in decision-making, contributing to improved adaptation to climate change and a shift to sustainable agriculture.