Recognizing the benifits from the use of remotely
sensed data in natural resource management, social
—economic planning development and environmental
management, the National Scientific Project for
Remote Sensing was been organized by National Cen-
tre for Scientific Research (NCSR). It had a dura-
tion of 5 years 1980 - 1985.
The Project on Cartography and Remote Sensing was
carried out between 1986 and 1990 when another
Scientific Project for Remote Sensing Application
supported by NCSR was begun.
These projects focussed on the development of re-
mote sensing and GIS technology as well as remote
sensing applications for natural resource and en-
vironmental management.
The activities under these projects are described
below.
3.1 Development in Remote Sensing and GIS Techno-
logy.
3.1.1 3-layered Experiment
To effectively use remote sensed data for thematic
mapping, interpretation keys are needed. In connec
—tion with this the 3-layered experiments were ca-
rried out on 5 polygons located in different geo-
graphical areas of the country in 1980 and 1985
with multispectral photocameras MKF-6 and MKF-4.
Many institutions/organizations were involved.
Among these were the Space Research Centre ( now
Remote Sensing Application Division ), Centre of
Geography and Natural Resources, Institute of Fo-
rest Planning, Institute of Agricultural Planning,
Institute of Geology and Mineral Resources, Insti-
tute of Pedology and Fertilizer, General Depart-
ment for Land Use Management.
3.1.2 Study Optical Characteristics of Land-
scape
The spectral reflectance curves in VIS and NIR re-
gions of electromanegtic spectrum of more than 100
natural objects distributed in different geogra-
phical areas of the country were studied by Remote
Sensing Application Division (RSAD) and Centre for
Space Physics and Remote Sensing Techniques. Seve-
ral hand-held spectrometers made in Germany, Bun-
gary and Vietnam with spectral resolution ranging
from 8 to 10 nm were used for the study.
In addition, some related studies such as :" Inf-
luence of sun altitude on spectral reflectance
ability of some natural objects in Vietnam ", "
Influence of humidity on spectral reflectance cur-
ves of some Vietnam soil kinds ", etc. were also
carried out by RSAD.
The obtained results are available not only for
thematic interpretation using remotely sensed data
but also for development of low cost optical, opto
-electronic equipment needed for ground measure-
ment as well as to assist both visual and digital
interpretation.
3.1.3 Microware Remote Sensing Action Experiment
The experiment was done in 1989 with the purpose
of applying a new sensor to certain natural condi-
tions such as soil moisture and salinity for coa-
stal land use management.
The experiment was carried out jointly by resear-
chers from the Institute of Physics and Institute
of Oceanography in cooperation with the Space Re-
search Centre (Academy of Sciences, USSR).
10
3.1.4 Development of Images Processing and GIS
Software Systems
Several image processing and GIS software system
have been developed by Institutions/Centres
MIPS - Multipurpose Image Processing System, which
can be used for general image processing,
thematic and statistic mapping , multidate
image analysis, is based on IBM PC/AT com-
patable microcomputers. This software system
has been developed by RSAD.
DIPS - Digital Image Processing System developed by
Institute of Physics, Centre for Space Phy-
sics and Remote Sensing Techniques. The sys-
tem is also based on PC/AT compatable mic-
rocomputers and can be used for general ima-
ge processing, especially for land use ana-
lysis.
GESSE- Geo-Expert System for Soil Evaluation is an
expert GIS software system with an English
version user interface. The system is based
on an IBM PC/AT compatable microcomputer. It
consists of a knowledge base, thematic data
base and graphic data base. The system was
developed by RSAD and Advanced Information
Technology Corporation. Recently it was app-
lied to soil erosion assessment and to poten
-tial soil erosion and soil erosion hazard
mapping for the northern mountainous region
in the country. The system is expected to be
further developed in the coming years.
GIS - The RSAD Geographic Information System is a
general GIS based on IBM PC/AT compatable
microcomputers, consisting of data digitiza-
tion and editing, manipulating (polygon ba-
sed overlay, merge, map join, clip, and se-
lect ), map drawing and DTM processing. The
system development began in 1990 by RSAD and
the Remote Sensing Data Centre (RSDC). Its
development is expected to be continued over
the next two years.
3.2 Remote Sensing Application for Resource and
Environmental Management
Beside the above mentioned remote sensing applica-
tion projects, several projects covering various
fields of natural resources and environment in
which remote sensing applications have been opera-
tionalised were carried out at both the national
and regional levels. The main areas where remote
sensing is effectively applied are as follows: land
use mapping, flood mapping and damage assessment,
geological and geomorphological mapping, soil mapp-
ing, ground water potential zone mapping, forest
mapping, tropical cyclone forecast,etc. The activi-
ties are future described below.
3.2.1 Tropical Cyclone Forescat Using NOAA,
METEOR and GMS
Under the first National Project for Remote Sensing
(1980-1985) a study on tropical cyclone development
determination, and movement detection of the cyc-
lone "eye" using remotely sensed data such as NOAA
METEOR and GMS was completed by the State Depart-
ment for Hydro-Meteorological Forescat. Together
with other traditional forescating methods, the
analyzed results of this study are effectively used
in forescating of tropical cyclone development and
movement in the East Sea region, which directly in-
fluences Vietnam weather.
