A model for applying digital transformation in community-based early warning and disaster response was developed in Ha Tinh province in 2025 with financial support from the Thien Tam Foundation through the Community Disaster Prevention Fund.
To assess the effectiveness and scalability of the project, and to gather feedback and suggestions for improving and replicating the model from the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ha Tinh province, the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control established a working group comprising: the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention and Control, the Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting), the Center for Disaster Prevention and Control Policy and Technology, the Thien Tam Fund, and the Community Fund for Disaster Prevention and Control. This working group conducted a survey trip to Ha Tinh province from April 7-8, 2026.
Assessing the effectiveness of the model
At the Ha Tinh Province Irrigation Sub-Department, the working group held a meeting with the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the Ha Tinh Provincial Irrigation Sub-Department to assess the effectiveness of the model in local disaster prevention and control, especially the Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System.
According to Mr. Tran Duc Thinh, Head of the Irrigation Department of Ha Tinh province, the development of the Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System software, with support from the Community Fund for Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, has effectively supported the direction and management of disaster relief; the statistical analysis of disaster damage; the integration of meteorological and hydrological monitoring data, reservoir data, and vessel data; and the provision of timely real-time meteorological warnings. Information and data are managed in a comprehensive, holistic, and inclusive manner, ensuring synchronization, interoperability, and meeting the requirements of "accurate, complete, clean, and relevant" data. Particularly in the context of the newly implemented two-tiered government model, the direction of work has become fragmented, with the provincial level now directly managing 69 commune-level agencies and an infrastructure network including 348 reservoirs and over 315 km of dikes, leading to numerous shortcomings and overloads in manual management. The implementation of the Disaster Monitoring System (PDMS) from December 2025 has initially resolved the "bottlenecks" by consolidating all data into a single system.
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Ha Tinh Province Disaster Monitoring System
The initial effectiveness of the PDMS system is undeniable; however, Mr. Nguyen Tien Hung, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ha Tinh province, believes that if it remains only on a web platform, the power of PDMS will not reach the people – those directly affected. The current data primarily serves management officials, creating an information gap. To overcome this, Ha Tinh proposes a "revolution" in accessibility: developing a PDMS mobile application. This application will not only allow local officials to update damage information directly at the scene but will also be designed to be minimalist so that the community, residents, and vulnerable groups such as the elderly and people with disabilities in Ha Tinh province can also receive early warnings and provide feedback on field information. The combination of high technology and currently popular communication methods such as the Zalo social network, SMS messages, and local loudspeakers will create a multi-layered information network, ensuring that no one is left behind when an emergency strikes.
Mr. Nguyen Van Tien, Deputy Director of VDDMA, expressed his hope that Ha Tinh province would expand the PDMS system to many other communes.
Acknowledging Ha Tinh's proposals, at the meeting, Mr. Nguyen Van Tien - Deputy Director of the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention (Ministry of Agriculture and Environment); Ms. Ha Thuy Hanh, Deputy Director of the Community Fund for Disaster Prevention; and Mr. Ly Minh Tuan, Director of the Thien Tam Fund, all agreed that a comprehensive assessment of the effectiveness of the PDMS system requires more time. Mr. Nguyen Van Tien emphasized that the Department of Dike Management and Disaster Prevention - Ministry of Agriculture and Environment and the Funds will work alongside Ha Tinh to optimize the system and replicate the model of applying digital transformation in community-based disaster response and safe evacuation of people. “Initially, the delegation will conduct further surveys in Duc Minh and Nghi Xuan communes as proposed by the province to discuss plans for replicating the pilot model. However, to achieve maximum effectiveness, Ha Tinh province needs to allocate additional resources, select the most essential and important aspects to invest in, and develop a complete model to serve as a basis for replication not only within the province but also as a model for areas frequently affected by extreme natural disasters nationwide,” Mr. Nguyen Van Tien shared.
Mr. Ly Minh Tuan, Director of the Thien Tam Foundation, suggested that the locality select urgent and priority issues to propose for support. The Foundation is committed to providing maximum support to the province.
Proposal to Expand the Software Platform
Cam Due Commune was selected to pilot a community-based disaster response application model. Located downstream of the Ke Go Lake basin, the commune faces annual severe flooding lasting 5-10 days. Manual disaster information gathering is time-consuming and results in inconsistent data, hindering effective planning and response. Furthermore, gathering information in villages, especially in remote and isolated areas, is challenging during unexpected disasters.
Mr. Nguyen Thanh Phong, Vice Chairman of Cam Due Commune, stated that developing a commune-level disaster risk map and a digital map for response and safe evacuation of residents plays a crucial role in implementing response activities that closely follow the progression of disasters and support people in affected areas. “Following the pilot implementation of the model, the commune received guidance and training to update and store information on natural disasters, damage levels, and support needs on the PDMS system; to facilitate the development and review of response and evacuation plans for each scenario; to make it easier for commune officials to compile data and report to higher levels; and to initially support the monitoring of vulnerable areas and areas at high risk of flooding and landslides in order to develop timely response scenarios.”
Evaluating the effectiveness of the model in Cam Due commune, Ha Tinh province.
Survey on Scaling Up the Pilot Model
On April 8, 2026, the working group conducted a field trip to Duc Minh and Nghi Xuan communes in Ha Tinh province to assess the current status, applicability, and scaling up of the pilot model for applying digital technology in disaster prevention and control.
During the visit, the Center for Disaster Prevention and Control Policy and Technology introduced the Ha Tinh Provincial Disaster Monitoring System and disaster risk mapping software. This system allows for real-time data updating, monitoring, and analysis, contributing to improved leadership, management, and timely decision-making support from the provincial to the commune level.
Mr. Bui Quang Huy, Deputy Director of DMPTC, shared information about the Disaster Monitoring System and Disaster Risk Maps from the provincial to the commune level.
In addition, the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting also recommended the placement and installation of monitoring stations in suitable locations within the pilot commune to enhance monitoring capabilities, provide early warnings, and improve data accuracy.
Mr. Mai Van Khiem, Director of the National Center for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting, shared the locations of the observation stations that need to be installed in the pilot commune.
At the survey sites, the team directly inspected vulnerable areas frequently affected by storms, rain, floods, landslides, etc.; and assessed the need for updating field information before, during, and after natural disasters. The survey focused on the feasibility of deploying a disaster monitoring system, updating warning and forecast data in real time, and identifying areas at high risk of natural disasters before the 2026 rainy season.
The survey team examined key strategic locations.
Through the survey, the working group concluded that replicating the pilot model is necessary and highly feasible, especially in localities frequently affected by natural disasters. However, to implement it effectively, comprehensive preparation is needed in terms of infrastructure, resources, training of local personnel, and commitment from the local authorities.
The exchange and working session in Ha Tinh is expected to create an important foundation for expanding the disaster prevention model with digital transformation applications not only in Ha Tinh but also nationwide, contributing to improving response capacity, minimizing damage, and moving towards building safer, more equitable, and sustainable communities in the face of climate change challenges.