{"id":618,"date":"2026-03-20T15:13:42","date_gmt":"2026-03-20T06:13:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vietnam-agri.com\/vietnam-agri\/vietnam-smart-agriculture\/"},"modified":"2026-06-10T00:36:46","modified_gmt":"2026-06-09T15:36:46","slug":"vietnam-smart-agriculture","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vietnam-agri.com\/en\/vietnam-agri\/vietnam-smart-agriculture\/","title":{"rendered":"The Latest Smart-Farming Adoption Cases in Vietnam"},"content":{"rendered":"

'Isn't Vietnamese agriculture still mostly manual work?'<\/p>\n

No doubt many people feel that way. Until the 2010s, that was the reality. But now, Vietnam's farming fields are changing rapidly.<\/p>\n

Through practical examples of IoT sensors, automated irrigation systems and greenhouse environment control, this article explains the cutting edge of Vietnamese smart agriculture in concrete terms. It is especially useful for people in agriculture, food importers and anyone interested in doing business in Vietnam.<\/p>\n

Why Vietnam Got Serious About Smart Agriculture<\/h2>\n

A Turning Point Told by Policy and Numbers<\/h3>\n

In 2020, the Vietnamese government formulated the 'Agriculture and Rural Development Strategy 2030.' At its core is the nationwide rollout of smart agriculture using digital technology.<\/p>\n

The goals are clear: to bring 30% of agricultural production under digital management by 2025, and to maintain an annual agricultural GDP growth rate of 3% or more through 2030.<\/p>\n

Behind this lie compound challenges. The flight of young people from rural areas is accelerating, and the aging of farmers is advancing. Droughts and salt damage from climate change are also serious. With labor-dependent farming, it is no longer possible to stay competitive.<\/p>\n

Startups Driving the Field<\/h3>\n

Within Vietnam, agricultural IoT startups are rapidly increasing. As of 2023, more than 100 Agritech<\/a> companies are active, and many of them are based in Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.<\/p>\n

Government subsidies and funding from foreign venture capital are flowing in, and the pace of technology development is rising year by year. On the ground, the term 'Nong nghiep so' (digital agriculture) has begun to take hold even among farmers.<\/p>\n

The Cutting Edge of IoT Sensor Field Monitoring<\/h2>\n

Practice at a Coffee Farm in Dak Lak Province<\/h3>\n

In Dak Lak province in southern Vietnam, the introduction of IoT sensors at coffee farms is advancing. Soil moisture, pH and temperature are measured in real time around the clock and can be checked in a smartphone app.<\/p>\n

A representative example is Phong Binh Farm (about 50 hectares). After introducing sensors, it succeeded in cutting fertilizer use by about 20%, because data-based fertilization management became possible. Pesticide use has also been cut by more than 15%, and quality ratings from export destinations have improved.<\/p>\n

Configuration of the Sensor Network<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Measured Item<\/th>\nSensor Type<\/th>\nInstallation Spacing<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Soil moisture<\/td>\nVolumetric sensor<\/td>\n1 unit per hectare<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Temperature and humidity<\/td>\nTemperature\/humidity sensor<\/td>\n1 unit per 5 hectares<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Precipitation<\/td>\nRain gauge<\/td>\n1 unit per farm<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CO2 concentration<\/td>\nInfrared sensor<\/td>\nGreenhouse interior only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Solar radiation<\/td>\nSolar radiation sensor<\/td>\nGreenhouse interior only<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

By building a network like this, the whole farm's condition can be managed centrally on a dashboard. When abnormal readings are detected, an instant alert is sent to the farmer's smartphone.<\/p>\n

Accumulating and Analyzing Data via the Cloud<\/h3>\n

Data collected by the sensors is accumulated on cloud servers. By analyzing the accumulated data, crop growth patterns and the risk of disease outbreaks can be predicted.<\/p>\n

At some farms, AI-based optimization of harvest timing has also begun. By combining sensor data with past yield data, scientific farm management that does not rely on rules of thumb is being realized.<\/p>\n

Case Studies of Automated Irrigation Systems<\/h2>\n

Combining Drip Irrigation with Smart Controllers<\/h3>\n

Near Nha Trang in central Vietnam, automated irrigation systems have spread in watermelon and melon growing. Based on soil-moisture sensor data, irrigation pumps run automatically.<\/p>\n

There are reports of water use being cut by an average of 35% compared with conventional manual irrigation. In regions where dry-season water shortages are severe, this water-saving effect is directly tied to a farm's survival.<\/p>\n

The effect on crops is also significant. Giving the right amount of water at the right time reduces root stress and stabilizes quality and yield.<\/p>\n

Cost and Payback Period of Introducing Automated Irrigation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Farm Size<\/th>\nInitial Cost (Guideline)<\/th>\nPayback Period<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
1-5 hectares<\/td>\n500,000 to 1.5 million yen<\/td>\n2-3 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
5-20 hectares<\/td>\n1.5-4 million yen<\/td>\n3 to 5 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
20 hectares or more<\/td>\n4 million yen and up<\/td>\n4-6 years<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

By using local subsidies, out-of-pocket costs can be greatly reduced. The grant programs offered by Vietnam's Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development are designed to be especially favorable to small and medium farmers.<\/p>\n

Combining with Drones Raises Precision<\/h3>\n

Recently attracting attention is the combination of agricultural drones and automated irrigation. By photographing the field from above with a drone and analyzing near-infrared images, areas that need irrigation can be identified.<\/p>\n

Using this method raises irrigation efficiency even further, because even on a vast farm you can focus on the problem spots.<\/p>\n

Practical Examples of Greenhouse Environment Control<\/h2>\n

The Highland Vegetable Region of Da Lat, Lam Dong Province<\/h3>\n

Near Da Lat in Lam Dong province, Vietnam's largest vegetable-growing area, greenhouse cultivation is expanding rapidly. Making use of the highland climate at an elevation of 1,500 meters, high-quality vegetables are produced year-round.<\/p>\n

In this region, systems that integrate control of CO2 concentration, temperature, humidity and solar radiation have spread. Everything, from opening and closing the roof vents to running the ventilation fans, is controlled automatically. Even when the farmer is not in the field, it can be operated remotely from a smartphone.<\/p>\n

How Environment Control Changes Yield and Quality<\/h3>\n

At a system introduced by one agricultural company, the annual tomato yield more than doubled compared with before introduction. Thanks to more uniform quality, the share meeting Japan's export standards has also improved significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Control Target<\/th>\nChallenge under Manual Management<\/th>\nEffect of Automatic Control<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Temperature and humidity<\/td>\nFrequent daytime heat damage<\/td>\nAutomatically keeps the optimal range<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CO2 concentration<\/td>\nVentilation timing is difficult<\/td>\nYield up 10-20%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Solar radiation<\/td>\nStrong-light damage is likely to occur<\/td>\nAutomatically adjusts the shading rate<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Irrigation timing<\/td>\nOver- or under-watering causes variation in quality<\/td>\nStabilized by linking to soil moisture<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The challenge with greenhouse environment control is its high introduction cost. However, thanks to improved earnings from higher yields and better quality, many farms achieve payback on their investment within three to four years.<\/p>\n

Cooperation with Japan Is Accelerating<\/h2>\n

Why Japanese Agricultural Technology Is Valued in Vietnam<\/h3>\n

Japanese makers of farm machinery, materials and IoT systems are actively promoting technology exports to Vietnam. In the fields of IoT systems and agricultural drones in particular, Japanese products are highly regarded.<\/p>\n

Many people in Vietnamese agriculture praise their 'high precision' and 'durability.' Local climate conditions are harsh, hot and humid, but Japanese products earn trust by delivering stable performance.<\/p>\n

Support from JICA and Private Companies<\/h3>\n

Since 2022, JICA has supported a smart-agriculture promotion project in central Vietnam, covering a wide range from providing sensor equipment to farmers to training in data analysis.<\/p>\n

In the private sector, cases of Japanese agricultural trading firms and IT ventures rolling out services in joint ventures with Vietnamese companies are also increasing. By combining Japanese technological capability with local networks, new business models are being born.<\/p>\n

For food importers, too, this trend is impossible to overlook. As smart agriculture spreads, the quality and stable-supply capacity of Vietnamese farm products are improving. For companies considering diversifying their sourcing, this is a welcome change.<\/p>\n

Summary<\/h2>\n

Vietnam's smart agriculture is evolving rapidly through government policy support and private-sector practice.<\/p>\n

Field management with IoT sensors, 35% water savings through automated irrigation, and more than doubled yields through greenhouse environment control: these results have already been demonstrated at many farms.<\/p>\n

For people in agriculture and food importers, the change in Vietnam's agricultural productivity is important information. Grasping the latest local trends directly affects business decisions.<\/p>\n

Cooperation with Japan is also strengthening, and opportunities for technology transfer and joint ventures are increasing. Now that interest in Vietnamese agriculture is rising, accessing the latest information is more important than anything.<\/p>\n

At VN AGRI, we share the latest information on Vietnamese agriculture.<\/p>\n

You May Also Like<\/h2>\n