The Department of Meteorology and Hydrology under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment has launched a technical assistance project titled “Advisory on Developing Quantitative Precipitation Forecast Technology for Vietnam,” supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Running from September 2026 to September 2028 in Hanoi and across the country, the initiative aims to boost short-term rainfall forecasting accuracy, strengthen early warning systems for heavy rain and flood hazards, and establish a long-term technological and human framework for Vietnam to independently manage and improve quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF).
Speaking at the project rollout meeting on September 29, Mr. Kobayashi Kenichi, Deputy Chief Representative of JICA Vietnam, noted that the initiative builds on Japan’s long-standing support for Vietnam’s meteorological capacity building. This builds on the 2018 - 2023 technical cooperation project that modernized radar data exploitation, automatic rain gauge networks, and short-term flood warning systems.
Under the new phase, Japanese experts will work directly with Vietnamese technical agencies to exchange experience, provide technical assistance, and transfer knowledge in nowcasting and data assimilation using existing radar and automatic rainfall networks.
The project centers on developing advanced quantitative precipitation forecasting products and nowcasting capabilities, while upgrading Vietnam’s meteorological operations.
Key technical focuses include improving spatial and temporal accuracy, upgrading radar data integration in numerical weather prediction models, developing ensemble forecasting, and refining nowcasting systems.
In addition to technical enhancements, the project places strong emphasis on capacity building. Specialist working groups will be established covering numerical modeling, data assimilation, ensemble forecasting, short-range forecasting, and data quality control. Vietnamese meteorologists will participate in workshops, expert exchange programs, and research visits to Japan.
The initiative will also encourage local experts to present findings at international scientific conferences and publish research in peer-reviewed journals, elevating Vietnam’s research and technological capabilities in disaster mitigation and climate response.
Google translate