Hydrometeorology – A scientific foundation accompanying the nation

At the Opening Ceremony of the Exhibition on 80th anniversary of Vietnam's Agriculture and Environment sector, a reporter from Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper spoke with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, Director of the Viet Nam Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change, about the sector’s accomplishments over the past eight decades, its role in disaster forecasting, and her message to the younger generation.

Madam Director, how do you assess the significance of the Exhibition on 80 Years of National Achievements for the field of meteorology, hydrology, and climate change?

This exhibition is not only an occasion for the entire nation to look back on a challenging yet profoundly proud 80-year journey, but also an opportunity for the hydrometeorology sector, together with environmental sciences, to affirm their role in the country’s development.

For us, every forecast bulletin and every climate model is not just a scientific product but also a “soft shield” safeguarding people’s lives and property against natural disasters. Being presented at such a significant event only deepens our sense of responsibility to keep innovating, improving accuracy, and modernizing further.

What message does the exhibition booth of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, including the field of meteorology and hydrology, wish to convey to the public, especially the younger generation?

We want everyone, particularly young people, to understand that meteorology and hydrology are not just dry numbers on a weather screen, but a “companion” present in every rice field, household, and roadway. From agricultural production and transportation to climate change adaptation, all rely on timely forecasts and early warnings. The message we wish to send is: “Understand nature to live in harmony with nature.”

Could you share some of the most remarkable achievements of Vietnam’s meteorology and hydrology sector over the past 80 years?

From a rudimentary observation system, we have built a nationwide meteorological and hydrological network, extending from remote islands to high mountainous regions. Today’s forecasting technology is approaching regional standards, with many storm, tropical depression, and heavy rainfall forecasts issued 3 to 5 days in advance with high accuracy, helping to minimize disaster-related losses.

In particular, over the past decade, the sector has strongly applied artificial intelligence, remote sensing, and numerical modeling to develop long-term climate change scenarios, serving the country’s sustainable development strategies.

So, in the context of increasingly complex climate change, how is the meteorology and hydrology sector innovating to meet these new challenges?

Climate change is making natural disasters increasingly severe and unpredictable. The hydrometeorology sector has had to adapt quickly - by modernizing its observation network, integrating with international data systems, applying advanced numerical forecasting technologies, and most importantly, ensuring that information reaches people in a timely manner. Forecasts are no longer aimed solely at the Government, but are tailored to serve each farming household, each fisher, and every community in vulnerable areas.

Looking further ahead, how do you think hydrometeorology will contribute to sustainable development?

I believe that sustainable development cannot be separated from climate forecasting and disaster risk management. A field cannot achieve high productivity without considering rainfall and drought; a city cannot prosper without anticipating scenarios of flooding or extreme heat. Hydrometeorology serves as the “navigational chart” that guides the Government and the people in choosing a development path that is harmonious, safe, and sustainable.

What message would you like to convey to the younger generation through this exhibition?

I hope young people will understand that protecting the environment and responding to climate change are not distant slogans, but practical actions in daily life: saving electricity and water, planting trees, reducing plastic waste, and above all, nurturing a spirit of science - exploring the secrets of nature to serve human well-being. I also hope that many young people will choose to study and conduct research in hydrometeorology, a profession that may seem quiet but carries profound meaning.

If I had to sum it up in one sentence, I would say this: “Our nation needs young people who love the sky, love the rivers, and cherish the very life that flourishes on this land.”

Thank you, Madam Director, for your thoughtful reflections on this special occasion.