Viet Nam to localize early warning technologies

Building a legal framework to facilitate the development of new technologies

Speaking at the forum 'Application of Science and Technology in Disaster Forecasting and Early Warning," Dr. Cao Duc Phat, Chairman of the Management Council of the Disaster Prevention Community Fund, said that the discussions at the program have shown that many early warning and disaster prevention support technologies are entirely capable of widespread application in Viet Nam, as they have already been proven in practice.

Digital technologies and artificial intelligence are advancing every day, with new applications emerging at every international forum. According to him, Viet Nam must keep pace with these global trends; however, when adopting them domestically, it is essential to adjust and localize the technologies to suit practical needs while creating space for research institutions and local enterprises to grow.

At the same time, efforts by research institutes, universities, and businesses will struggle to reach real-life application without the involvement of government authorities. The information shared at the forum should not remain confined to a meeting room: it must be conveyed to relevant decision-making bodies to establish the legal foundations for approving and widely adopting new technologies. “In many cases, it is not necessarily about waiting for investment. What we need is official recognition and a legal framework that allows software and devices to be legitimately circulated, so they can be deployed in practice,” he said.

Dr. Cao Duc Phat recommended that the Vietnam Agriculture and Nature Newspaper, the Department of Hydraulics Works Management and Construction (DWMG), and other relevant units work together to prepare a consolidated report for the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the National Civil Defence Steering Committee, and senior leaders. Based on that, he proposed holding a larger-scale meeting after the storm and flood season so that competent authorities can issue guidance to localities, clarifying which technologies should be adopted and scaled up.

“The model piloted in Ha Tinh has demonstrated clear effectiveness and can be fully scaled up if approved by the governing authorities. Early-warning software, rainfall–flood monitoring tools, evacuation-information platforms, and reservoir operation support systems are all advanced solutions that currently rank among the best available in Viet Nam,” Mr. Cao Duc Phat said. “I also highly appreciate the reservoir-operation support software, an especially complex field in the central region, and believe that early official recognition and the issuance of legal guidelines will help these technologies be applied more effectively in practice.”

Dr. Phat also acknowledged the persistent efforts of scientists such as Thay Duc, who has spent many years developing web- and Zalo-based communication and warning systems, though their ultimate effectiveness still depends greatly on the responsiveness of local authorities and the community. With the high-quality software and tools introduced at the forum, he emphasized that what is most needed now is formal recognition, so these solutions can gain legal validity and be applied consistently.

“Regarding the role of the Disaster Prevention Community Fund, its resources come from small but continuous contributions from citizens and businesses, ranging from tens of thousands to several hundred thousand dong every hour. The Fund mainly supports pilot models and trial installations of new equipment to introduce them to the public and demonstrate their practical value. However, to scale up nationwide, greater government investment and broader community participation are essential,” Dr. Phat shared.

Narrowing disaster forecasting zones through science and technology

Dr. Cao Duc Phat noted that technologies supporting disaster prevention and control in Vietnam are still taking shape and developing rapidly. During recent floods, many youth groups even created their own software to locate people in need of rescue, demonstrating significant creative potential. To fully tap into these resources, he emphasized the need for regular forums like today’s event to facilitate connections, knowledge sharing, and the adoption of technological solutions to protect people and national assets.

Echoing Dr. Phat’s perspective, Mr. Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, said the Forum offers an opportunity for specialized agencies to access and apply new technologies, thereby improving the effectiveness of forecasting and early warning. This also helps deliver information to hard-to-reach areas, particularly landslide-prone regions that are often isolated, ensuring communities receive timely alerts.

“Hydro-meteorological forecasting requires continuous observational data, hourly or even every 30 minutes, from affected areas to provide accurate and realistic assessments. In the past, forecast zones were typically broad, but technological advancements have significantly narrowed them, allowing warnings to become more precise and localized.

Rainfall forecasting remains a major challenge. Vietnam can learn from and adopt technologies used by international meteorological agencies to enhance forecast accuracy and reduce disaster-related losses,” he stressed.