In Khánh Hòa province, a technician crouches over a patch of earth at Sakura Farm, inserting a handheld device into the soil beneath a towering durian tree. The equipment, part of an AI-driven diagnostic system, quickly analyses moisture levels, nutrient content, and microbial activity—key indicators of soil health. Within minutes, the data is processed, and the system generates tailored recommendations for fertilisation or pest control. This scene, now commonplace at the 45-hectare high-tech farm, reflects a broader shift in Vietnamese agriculture, where precision tools and digital transformation are reshaping traditional practices.
The province’s push toward modernisation aligns with the Politburo’s Resolution 57, which prioritises science, technology, and innovation as drivers of economic growth. For Khánh Hòa, a region known for its durians, grapes, and aloe vera, this means integrating smart farming solutions to boost productivity while ensuring sustainability. At Sakura Farm, automated irrigation and drone-based monitoring work alongside AI soil analysis to maintain ecological balance, reducing reliance on chemical inputs. Owner Nguyễn Phạm Minh Mẫn notes that these technologies not only improve yield quality but also meet the rising demand for traceable, residue-free produce in export markets like China and the EU.
Beyond individual farms, research institutions are playing a pivotal role. The Nha Hố Research Institute for Cotton and Agriculture Development is developing climate-resilient crop varieties using biotechnology and genetic techniques. By 2030, the institute plans to expand its focus on pest-resistant grapes, mangoes, and jackfruit, while incorporating IoT systems and AI for real-time pest management. Deputy Director Phan Công Kiên highlights the potential of biological trapping systems—already in use in net-house apple cultivation—to reduce pesticide dependency, a critical step toward sustainable intensification.
The province’s progress is measurable. Over 1,000 hectares now operate under high-tech farming models, with more than 5,500 hectares certified organic to international standards. Export-oriented crops like durian and mango have secured planting area codes, facilitating market access, while high-value crops such as grapes—yielding up to VNĐ600 million per hectare annually—demonstrate the economic viability of tech-driven agriculture. Yet challenges remain, particularly in scaling these innovations across smallholder farms and ensuring equitable access to digital tools.
To address this, Khánh Hòa is incentivising private-sector investment in closed-loop value chains, from production to processing. The province is also zoning agricultural areas based on ecological suitability, promoting agro-ecotourism, and strengthening digital literacy among farmers. By linking businesses, scientists, and growers, the goal is to create a self-reinforcing cycle of innovation—one where data from a soil sensor at Sakura Farm could inform regional best practices, or where a drone survey of a mango orchard might predict harvest yields for export contracts.
The implications extend beyond productivity. For rural communities, these changes promise higher incomes and reduced vulnerability to climate shocks. For consumers, they offer greater transparency in food sourcing. And for Khánh Hòa, they represent a strategic bet: that by embedding technology into its agricultural backbone, the province can transition from a commodity producer to a hub for high-value, sustainable farming—setting a template for Vietnam’s broader agritech ambitions.