Vietnamese researchers have developed a smart monitoring system to combat increasing saline intrusion, a growing threat to the nation’s food security and agricultural output. The system, utilizing Internet of Things (IoT) sensors and real-time alerts, aims to protect both crops and aquaculture in vulnerable regions.
Saline intrusion is becoming a major challenge across numerous Vietnamese provinces and cities, particularly within large river basins, significantly impacting food security, aquaculture, fruit production, and the daily lives and health of residents. The Mekong Delta is experiencing a particularly alarming situation, driven by factors including rising sea levels, increasing temperatures, and the over-extraction of groundwater, all negatively affecting agricultural, forestry, and fisheries activities.
According to recent statistics, Vietnam’s national grain production decreased by 81,100 tonnes in 2024 compared to the previous year, with saline intrusion identified as a key contributing factor. As socio-economic development demands increase, early warning and monitoring of saline intrusion are now considered urgent priorities.
Nguyên Thi Nhât Quynh and her colleagues at the Institute of Information Technology (under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology – VAST) have implemented a pilot project titled “Saline Intrusion Monitoring System Applying IoT Technology.” The research team has demonstrated the ability to master the technology domestically, from designing salinity sensors to developing software for real-time data collection, processing, and display, providing public authorities with reliable and accurate tools and data.
The project builds upon previous work, specifically the “Research and Design of an Ultra-Pure Water Conductivity Measurement Device with a Resolution of 0.01 μS/cm” project conducted by the Institute of Information Technology.
The monitoring system has been initially produced with 20 multi-parameter measurement devices capable of tracking water salinity (0-85 g/L), temperature, and electrical conductivity. Each device is installed on a floating structure powered by a solar panel. Data collected is automatically transmitted to a server via a wireless network, then analyzed and displayed on a smartphone application (IoTVision), allowing users to easily monitor indicators and receive alerts when salinity levels exceed pre-defined thresholds.
“The strength of the system lies in its ability to continuously monitor in real-time and its ease of expansion to adapt to local conditions,” said Nguyên Thi Nhât Quynh. “It can simultaneously deploy multiple measurement stations to form a large-scale monitoring network, serving water resource management and long-term climate change adaptation.”
Beyond the experimental production phase, the team is working on a new version of the measurement device, adapting it to evolving technologies and the demanding environmental conditions of installation sites. This aims to provide authorities at all levels and users with accurate data for developing action plans and applying it to production, operation, and aquaculture activities, ultimately reducing risks and losses caused by saline intrusion.
The project’s results hold significant potential for developing systems to monitor water resources and environmental monitoring, building observation databases, and ultimately forecasting salinization across large territories. Members of the Academy’s project evaluation council have praised the team’s success in developing the IoT-based saline intrusion monitoring system – a technology developed in Vietnam. The hardware and software components of the system demonstrate a high degree of integration and have been tested, proving stable operation in real-world conditions.
