Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga emphasizes the pivotal role of science and technology in identifying risks and enhancing forecast accuracy to better respond to climate change

Q: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, how do you assess the current role of science and technology in the field of meteorology, hydrology, and climate change, especially in light of increasingly complex and unpredictable climate patterns?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga: Today, science, technology, and innovation are not just supportive tools, they have become central drivers for enhancing our capacity to respond and adapt to climate change. In Earth sciences, especially meteorology, hydrology, and climate change, science plays a dual role: identifying risks and providing the scientific basis to improve the accuracy of forecasts so that we can prepare and respond more effectively.

We are witnessing a period of significant disruption in the global climate system. According to the latest assessments, as of April 2025, the global average temperature has risen approximately 1.58°C above pre-industrial levels, exceeding the safety threshold set by the Paris Agreement. Extreme weather events such as Super Typhoon Yagi in 2024 have underscored the severity of climate change, where instability is becoming the “new normal” in natural systems. Since early 2025, the evolution of weather and natural disasters has remained highly unpredictable. For instance, although the year’s first typhoon is not making landfall in Vietnam, it has caused severe heavy rainfall in the Central region.

In this context, science and technology, supported by modern tools such as numerical weather prediction models, artificial intelligence (AI), big data, and remote sensing, have significantly enhanced both the accuracy and timeliness of early warnings. We are moving from phenomenon-based forecasting to impact-based forecasting, making scientific information more practical and relevant to local authorities, communities, and businesses.

However, for science to deliver its full value, a flexible policy framework and enabling institutional environment are essential. That is why I have high hopes for Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, which provides the institutional foundation for science to contribute more effectively to national development in the current context.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga, Director of IMHEN, shares insights on technological breakthroughs and the opportunities Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW brings for science–policy linkages and women in natural sciences

Q: At the recent Resolution 57-NQ/TW conference organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, your presentation on technological breakthroughs in meteorology and hydrology was well received. Could you elaborate on the key strategies your Institute is pursuing?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga: In response to growing demands for digital transformation, technology integration, and effective disaster risk management, the Institute of Meteorology, Hydrology and Climate Change has identified five key directions for science, technology, and innovation.

First, we are pushing for full digital transformation across all research activities, from data collection, processing, and simulation to forecasting and early warning. We are developing advanced modeling technologies that incorporate machine learning, big data, satellite imagery, and automated sensor systems to improve the accuracy and resolution of forecasts, especially for extreme rainfall, storms, droughts, and saline intrusion.

Second, we are proposing the construction of a modern technological infrastructure to support hydrometeorological research and forecasting. This includes high-performance computing systems (HPC) integrating both CPU and GPU architectures, digital simulation platforms, a shared data warehouse, and a real-time sensor network. Investing in infrastructure will enable the deployment of AI-integrated forecasting models, support impact-based early warning systems, and facilitate efficient data sharing with other sectors and local governments.

Third, developing a high-quality scientific workforce is a strategic priority. We are building strong research teams capable of mastering digital technologies, advanced climate modeling, and the application of AI in meteorology, environment, and climate change. Special attention is given to training the younger generation—scientists who are not only technically competent but also interdisciplinary and innovative in their thinking.

Fourth, research collaboration and technology transfer are crucial bridges between science and real-world application. We are working with local authorities to pilot commune-level early warning systems, develop climate risk zoning maps, apply seasonal forecasts in agriculture, and support disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. All our research outputs are designed to be compatible with national management systems and to directly serve local governments and communities.

Finally, we prioritize international cooperation in research and training. The Institute is expanding partnerships with organizations such as WMO, UNDP, JICA, GIZ, and various universities and research institutions globally to exchange knowledge, update cutting-edge technologies, and develop high-quality postgraduate programs. This is also our way of positioning Vietnamese science within the global knowledge ecosystem and contributing more effectively to the country’s sustainable development goals.

I believe that only when science and technology are grounded in practical needs, properly invested in, supported by modern infrastructure, and powered by a strong and internationally connected workforce, can true breakthroughs occur. This is the guiding principle of the Institute's development strategy in alignment with Resolution 57-NQ/TW.

Q: In your research journey, you’ve consistently emphasized the need to connect science with practice. In your view, how can research results truly serve disaster risk management in real life?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga: As President Ho Chi Minh once said, “Science must stem from practice and return to serve practice.” Scientific research is only meaningful when it can be applied to real-world situations, especially in meteorology and hydrology, where every research result directly affects public safety, development, and livelihoods.

In recent years, the Institute has implemented many practice-oriented research models. One notable example is our early warning system for flash floods and landslides, equipped with sensors and advanced models based on topographic, rainfall, soil moisture, and seismic data. This system has been deployed in close cooperation with local governments in Hoa Binh Province, allowing highland communities to take proactive measures during the rainy season and reduce losses. The system is being developed into an “impact-based warning” model that not only alerts to phenomena but also provides localized impact assessments through a WebGIS platform, ensuring the right information reaches the right people, at the right place, time, and format.

We’ve also collaborated with lowland provinces on drought and weather forecasting for agriculture. One example is our model that estimates solar radiation using Himawari satellite data, which supports both smart farming and solar energy production.
Q: Resolution 57-NQ/TW is seen as a major institutional push. In your opinion, what opportunities does it open for scientists—especially women researchers like yourself?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pham Thi Thanh Nga: Resolution 57-NQ/TW marks a real policy turning point. It not only affirms that science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation are the main drivers of sustainable national development, but also provides the kind of institutional boost long awaited by both the research community and businesses. For our sector, meteorology, hydrology, and climate change, it opens up major opportunities to promote interdisciplinary research, modernize observation–forecast–warning technologies, and ensure research results are effectively transferred to practice.

The resolution’s three major priorities—increased investment in science, institutional reform, and expanded international cooperation—are exactly the areas the scientific community has been advocating for. Now, we have the political and legal basis to confidently propose more impactful and sustainable initiatives.

For female scientists, this is also a particularly meaningful time. We must acknowledge that women still face invisible barriers in their research journeys, from social biases to the pressures of balancing work and family life. In that context, progressive policies become crucial stepping stones for growth. Today, women account for about 46% of Vietnam’s scientific workforce and are playing increasingly prominent roles in cutting-edge fields like medicine, biotechnology, renewable energy, environment, and AI.

In my own field, which is highly technical and specialized, female researchers are also becoming more established and influential. I believe that active participation by women not only advances gender equality in science but also brings inclusive, human-centered, and creative values to knowledge development. Resolution 57, therefore, is not just a push for the whole sector, but also an opportunity for the community of female scientists to rise and make worthy contributions to the nation’s scientific and technological progress.
Q: Thank you very much for your time and insights!

Ngoc Huyen