Research

Coffee by-products: Unlocking new value from an overlooked resource

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages in the world. Depending on the processing method, various by-products are generated, yet these materials remain substantially underutilized in Vietnam. Recognizing this gap, a research team from Nong Lam University, Ho Chi Minh City, and Quy Nhon University conducted a study titled “Coffee by-products: Chemical composition and potential applications in food processing.” By compiling and analyzing the characteristics of key by-products—coffee pulp, mucilage, husk, parchment, silver skin, and spent coffee grounds—the authors identified noteworthy levels of dietary fiber, polyphenols, caffeine, and multiple antioxidant compounds. Based on these findings, the study evaluates potential applications in beverage development, extraction of bioactive compounds, enzyme production, and food processing, thereby opening pathways to add value to coffee by-products in Vietnam.

Decoding flash floods with GeoAI in Vietnam’s Northern Highlands - Part 2: Modelling extremes and what the maps reveal

Following the data-building and field-validation groundwork outlined in Part 1, this second installment, led by Le Nhu Nga and colleagues at the Institute of Mechanics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, examines how three machine-learning models were tested against the complexities of Vietnam’s mountainous terrain. Each algorithm offered a different path to decoding the nonlinear interactions that drive flash-flood formation—yet the performance gap between them also reflected the physical realities of steep slopes, fractured bedrock, and highly variable extreme rainfall.

Decoding flash floods with GeoAI in Vietnam’s Northern Highlands - Part 1: From policy frameworks to data frontiers

Flash floods in Vietnam’s northern mountains are not only tallied in annual disaster statistics, they shape the land, livelihoods, and planning decisions across entire districts. As climate change intensifies extreme rainfall, the demand for reliable and accessible hazard maps becomes urgent. A research team from the Institute of Mechanics, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) has demonstrated that Geospatial Artificial Intelligence (GeoAI) can meet this demand, producing high-precision, data-driven maps of flash flood risk for the northern communes of Tuyen Quang province, an area once part of Ha Giang’s rugged highlands.

Building the institutional framework for electronic land use certificates in Vietnam’s digital transformation era

As Vietnam advances toward digital government and modern natural resource management, the land sector has emerged as a pioneering field requiring institutional, technological, and data governance reforms. A research group from the Department of Land Management under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, including experts Nguyen Khac The, Dinh Hong Phong, and Tran Van Tien, has conducted the study “Legal basis and requirements for institutional improvement in the implementation of electronic certificates of land use rights and ownership of assets attached to land.”

Part 2: Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) - A key pathway to low-emission rice production in Vietnam

Traditional flooded rice cultivation in Vietnam ensures stable yields but consumes tens of billions of cubic meters of water and emits tens of millions of tons of methane (CH₄) annually. As Vietnam commits to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, the research and application of the Alternate Wetting and Drying (AWD) irrigation technique have opened a new pathway, reducing irrigation water use by 20-50% and cutting greenhouse gas emissions by nearly half.

Part 1: Water use efficiency - The foundation of Vietnam’s green agricultural transition

In the context of climate change, increasing water scarcity, and the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, improving water use efficiency in rice cultivation has become both a scientific priority and a central policy task. From field-level irrigation studies to standardized scientific water management procedures, Vietnam is gradually shaping a resource-efficient, low-emission agriculture, laying the groundwork for green transformation and sustainable development.

Scientific research paper: Assessing the variations of surface water resources in Da Lat under climate change context

Amid increasing climate change impacts and rapid urbanization, the study “Assessing the variations of surface water resources in Da Lat under climate change context”, conducted by Pham The Anh, Truong Thanh Canh, Bui Xuan An, and Le Thi Thanh Quynh, analyzes long-term meteorological and hydrological data (1993-2024) to clarify the trends in streamflow, rainfall, and temperature across four main river basins of Da Lat. The findings provide scientific evidence to support the management and planning of surface water resources toward adaptation and sustainable development.

Current situation and proposed solutions to minimize environmental pollution from agricultural production in Hanoi

In Hanoi’s development context, agriculture remains a foundational sector, ensuring food security and providing livelihoods for millions of suburban workers. However, alongside rapid urbanization, agricultural production has created many challenges in environmental protection in rural areas of Hanoi. Researchers Dinh Thi Hai Van and Nguyen Thanh Lam (Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam Academy of Agriculture) conducted a study to analyze the current situation of environmental pollution caused by agricultural production and propose solutions to reduce it.

Transforming aquaculture sludge into organic fertilizer: A new path for sustainable agriculture

From what is often considered a valueless by-product, sludge generated from seafood processing plants and shrimp ponds, a research team comprising Nguyen Thi Bach Kim, Le Hoang Viet, and Nguyen Vo Chau Ngan (Can Tho University) has demonstrated its potential as a feedstock for organic fertilizer production. Analytical results indicate that seafood processing sludge (SPS) possesses more favorable characteristics for composting compared to shrimp pond sludge (ShPS), thereby opening new opportunities for circular agriculture.

Conservation of plant genetic resources: Five years of scaling up and promoting sustainable utilization

The research team from the Plant Resources Center (National Plant Gene Bank), comprising Le Thi Loan, Pham Hung Cuong, Doi Hong Hanh, Duong Thi Hanh, Nguyen Thi Hoa, Nguyen Thi Thuy Hang, and Nguyen Thi Bich Thuy, has recently reported a five-year (2020-2024) overview of ex-situ conservation of plant genetic resources in Vietnam. By the end of 2024, the system held 28,790 seed samples representing 125 species across five major crop groups, 3,041 vegetatively propagated samples, and 659 in-vitro conserved samples.

Application of artificial intelligence and remote sensing in forest monitoring: A new approach from Do Cong Ba’s research

Amid the global challenges of forest degradation and climate change, the application of digital technology in forest resource management is increasingly recognized as an inevitable trend. The research by Do Cong Ba (Tan Trao University, Tuyen Quang province), published in the Proceedings of the 2nd National Scientific Conference on “Agricultural and Rural Environment and Sustainable Development,” focuses on analyzing the potential applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and remote sensing in forest monitoring. Agriculture & Environment Magazine is pleased to present this study to readers, providing an objective perspective on emerging approaches, from deforestation detection and wildfire prediction to supply chain transparency via blockchain, and exploring practical implementation prospects in Vietnam.

Conversion of water hyacinth into activated carbon for the removal of Tetracycline from water: Laboratory-scale findings

A research team at Nguyen Tat Thanh University has developed a method to convert water hyacinth, an invasive aquatic species, into activated carbon with the capacity to adsorb Tetracycline (TC)—a contaminant of emerging concern in aquatic environments. Experimental results showed that the activated carbon derived from water hyacinth exhibited a specific surface area of 630.46 m²·g⁻¹ and an adsorption capacity of 108.2 mg·g⁻¹, suggesting its applicability in wastewater treatment processes.

Converting coffee grounds into activated carbon for antibiotic removal from wastewater

In the context of antibiotic residues in aquatic environments becoming a global concern, the search for effective, low-cost, and environmentally friendly treatment solutions is increasingly urgent. A Vietnamese research team from Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment, the Institute of New Technology, and the Institute of Applied Research and Green Technology Transfer has introduced a novel approach: transforming spent coffee grounds into activated carbon with a high surface area, capable of removing up to 92% of tetracycline from water. The study not only addresses the challenge of antibiotic contamination but also illustrates the potential of circular economy practices in agricultural waste management.

Animal cloning technology using somatic cell nuclear transfer: Research orientation and application in livestock production in Vietnam

Animal cloning is the process of producing genetically identical individuals without undergoing conventional fertilization. The successful creation of cloned animals has opened up numerous potential applications in basic research, medicine, and agriculture.

Bridging science and policy: Vietnam advances One Health governance

At the launch of the Research to Policy (R2P) Technical Working Group on July 28 in Ha Noi, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, together with international partners, delivered a clear message: Viet Nam is advancing the institutionalization of the One Health approach, grounded in scientific evidence and multisectoral dialogue. R2P is more than just a technical mechanism—it represents a new interface where science informs policy, and where research-based evidence serves as the foundation for systemic solutions linking human, animal, and environmental health.

Building a real-time information and flash floods, landslides early warning system in mountainous and midland areas of Vietnam

Flash floods, while small in scale, can be highly destructive. This article introduces a web portal for early warnings about flash floods and landslides, integrating real-time rainfall data, weather predictions, and SEAFFGS results. The system sends automatic alerts via email or Zalo and helps forecasters, authorities, and citizens monitor and respond to these natural disasters, reducing potential damage.

Scientific-technological research significantly contributes to the advancement of resource and environmental management

Scientific-technological research is intrinsically linked to the evolution and refinement of strategies for sustainable development in these domains. Scientific inquiry serves as a crucial step in the acquisition, analysis, and processing of information, thereby furnishing invaluable insights for governmental entities. This aids in the formulation of policies, establishment of guidelines, and delineation of strategic frameworks tailored to address practical exigencies at various developmental junctures of the nation.

Promoting Green Innovation in Vietnam

In recent years, green innovation, a key focus for Vietnam, has been reflected in national development strategies, government action plans, international cooperation activities, investment attraction, as well as scientific and technological research.

The feasibility and willingness of manufacturers and importers in Vietnam to participate in the Extended Producer Responsibility program

Extended Producer/Importer Responsibility (EPR) is an environmental strategy/policy which the responsibility of manufacturers for their products is extended to the disposal stage of the product’s lifecycle. In practice, EPR involves manufacturers taking primary responsibility for the proper management of waste products, including waste collection, pre-treatment (such as sorting, cleaning, and pre-processing), and recycling/disposal of those waste products. EPR systems allow manufacturers to extend their responsibilities by contributing the necessary financial resources or directly/indirectly carrying out waste collection, processing/recycling activities, and supporting operational processes from the community. EPR can be implemented individually or in combination.

An overview of research on flood monitoring & warning systems: Global vs Vietnam

Based on the research conducted under Project Code: TNMT.2021.02.03, numerous flood monitoring & warning systems are currently operational and utilized by national disaster management authorities globally. However, in Vietnam, the early warning system for significant flood hazards in small river basins have not yet satisfactorily met the increasingly stringent societal demands. The lead time for flood warnings is currently limited to 3-6 hours for small river basins, lacking precise forecasts regarding timing, location, intensity, and extent of occurrence. Consequently, the focus remains primarily on qualitative risk alerts rather than quantitative assessments.