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Application of Geodetic, Satellite Remote Sensing and Physical Modeling Tools for Management of Operational Groundwater Resource in the Red River Delta, Vietnam

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The Red River Delta (RRD) is the 2^nd largest delta located in the north of Vietnam with area of 13,000 km² (4.5% of Vietnam area) and a population of about 20 million (23% of Vietnam’s population) and is the most-developed region in Vietnam with 11 provinces and cities including Hanoi - the capital. Agriculturally, the RRD is the 2^nd most important rice-producing area in Vietnam, accounting for 20% of national crop. In terms of socio-economic development of the RDD, water resources, especially groundwater, has played an important role in contributing to development of key economic sectors, especially agriculture. Currently, the most pressing issue with groundwater resources in the RRD is the over-exploitation of groundwater for domestic use and intensively irrigated agriculture activities which has resulted in falling water tables, contributing to declining groundwater levels, land subsidence, and salinity intrusion. Therefore, it is imperative to understand the issues regarding groundwater management in this region and to suggest possible pathways for systematic management and regulation of this precious resource.