Agronomy of a rice-based vegetable cultivation system in Vietnam. Constraints and recommendations for commercial market integration

A description of the vegetable cultivation system in two villages in the Red River Delta, Hanoi, Vietnam is provided. The production of dry land vegetables takes place in the cool winter season, while in the warm wet summer season, rice is cultivated. Major vegetable crops cultivated belong to the Brassicaceae, Solanaceae and Cucurbitaceae. Most of the crops are transplanted. Soil type varies from sandy loam to medium loam and soil organic matter content is low. Poor product quality, transplant production and soil conditions were identified as the major constraints for the production of high quality produce for upscale commercial markets. A proposal for a permanent vegetable production system is made.