Ha-Ngan, Nguyen
PhD THESIS:
Executive Summary for Doctoral Reasearch Proposal
A Critical Assessment and Optimisation of a UAV Multispectral and Artificial-Intelligence Pipeline
for Surface Water-Quality Retrieval in Urban Rivers: Capability Boundaries, Retrieval
Mechanisms, and Foundation-Model Transferability. A Case Study in the Erft River System.
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
My research interests lie in leveraging geospatial technologies and artificial intelligence to address challenges in water
resource management and environmental sustainability. I am particularly interested in applying these technologies to monitor
and mitigate water-related issues such as drought, water quality deterioration, and the impacts of land use/land cover changes
on hydrological processes. Furthermore, I aim to contribute to the development of innovative solutions that promote
sustainable management of natural resources and support climate change adaptation efforts.
CURRICULUM VITAE:
09/2021 - 06/2024 - Colonge, Germany
Technische Hochschule Köln (TH Köln)
Master of Science in Integrated Water Resources Management
GPA: 1.3/4.0 (German grading system), Supervisor: Dr. Georg Lamberty
Thesis topic: Enhancing Spatial and Temporal Accuracy in Water Quality Parameter
Estimation - An Integrated Approach Using UAV Multispectral Imagery and Ensemble Stacking Models.
Link to the thesis: https://arcg.is/1XH9e00
09/2015 – 09/2019, Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology (HCMUT)
Bachelor of Engineering in Natural Resources and Environmental Management
GPA: 8.59/10 (Vietnamese grading system)
Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Tran Thi Van
Thesis topic: Assessing Drought Situation based on the Characteristics of Land Cover
for Di Linh District by Remote Sensing Technology
RESEARCH EXPERIENCES:
08/2025 – Now, Bergheim, Germany
Erftverband aquatec GmbH
Research Associate, Supervisor: Dr. Martina Erken
Descriptions: Responsible for doing projects, work on drone and AI-based solutions to
analyze and evaluate (i) water quality and fish habitat, and (ii) land and vegetation covers
in the Erft River system.
10/2024 – 04/2025, Bonn, Germany
United Nations University (UNU-EHS)
Research Associate, Supervisor: Dr. Jack O’Connor
Descriptions: Researched and analyzed irrigation strategies for organic rice farming in
the Mekong Delta through literature reviews; conducted stakeholder interviews
alongside fieldwork; synthesized findings into a policy brief outlining optimal irrigation
strategies; and supported project team with financial management, fieldwork planning,
and logistics.
07/2023 –10/2023, Bonn, Germany
United Nations University (UNU-EHS)
Student Assistant, Supervisor: Dr. Jack O’Connor
Descriptions: Contributed to the assessment of non-economic values and trade-offs in
organic rice projects by co-producing research outputs on various approaches and their
relevance for climate change adaptation through literature review and stakeholder
consultation; liaised with the hydrology working group to provide inputs for the review
of irrigation systems and policies supporting the transition to organic agriculture.
09/2019 – 08/2024, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Southern Institute of Water Resources Research (SIWRR)
Researcher specialising in GIS and remote sensing analysis and applications.
Superior: Dr. Pham The Vinh
Descriptions: Performed key GIS tasks including geospatial data processing, database
development and management, and thematic mapping. Pre-processed and analyzed
remote sensing data for research and project applications using Python and remote
sensing software, producing thematic maps such as drought, land cover, and water
quality maps. Provided fieldwork support through water sample collection and survey
data acquisition.
PUBLICATIONS:
1. Nguyen-Ngan, H., Tran-Thi Thu, H., Pham-Quoc, B.,Tran Thi, V., & Pham-The, V. (2024).
Experimental Relationship between Land Use/Land Cover and Underground Flow in Al Ba Commune
in The Central Region of Vietnam.
Carpathian Journal of Earth and Environmental Sciences,19(2). 201 – 216; DOI:10.26471/cjees/2024/019/292
2. Nguyen-Ngan, H., Tran-Thi Thu, Pham-The, V., & Tran-Thi, V. (2021).
Surface Water Pollution Risk From Vietnam Water Quality Index (VN-WQI) in the Ca Mau City, Mekong Delta.
Nature Environment And Pollution Technology,
20(4). https://doi.org/10.46488/nept.2021.v20i04.007
3. Lê, V. P., Võ, M. T., Lê, N. H. S., Nguyen-Ngan, H., Hoàng, P. T., Võ, T. M. C., & Dao, T. S. (2020).
Development of freshwater microalgae under exposure to atrazine and cadmium. Science and Technology Development Journal -
Natural Sciences, 3(4), 299-306. DOI: https://doi.org/10.32508/stdjns.v3i4.609
4. Tran Thi, V., Nguyen Duong Lam, T., Phan Thi Diem, H., Nguyen-Ngan, H., & Ha Duong Xuan, B. (2020).
Assessing drought from satellite data to support agricultural production. Science & Technology Development Journal
- Science of The Earth & Environment, 4(1), 178-187. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.32508/stdjsee.v4i1.510
5. Pham-The, V., Nguyen-Dang, L., Tran-Thi Thu, H., & Nguyen-Ngan, H. (2019)
Water quality zoning of Mekong Delta by WQI index. Scientific and Technology Collection 2019-2020, 156-170.
http://www.siwrr.org.vn/docs/2018/ iles/TuyenTapKHCN_21_2019_2020_PhanI.pdf (Vietnamese).
6. Pham-The, V., Tran-Thi Thu, H., & Nguyen-Ngan, H. (2019).
Assessing the distribution of biochemical oxygen demand for surface water quality in the Mekong Delta by remote sensing.
Scientific and Technology Collection 2019-2020, 171-188. http://www.siwrr.org.vn/docs/2018/ iles/TuyenTapKHCN_21_2019_2020_PhanI.pdf
(Vietnamese).
7. Ha Quoc, V., Nguyen-Thuy, T., Nguyen-Ngan, H., Ha Duong Xuan, B., Le Thi Cam, H., & Tran Thi, V. (2019).
Research on Detecting CO2 Concentration to Support Climate Change Monitoring. Vietnam Journal of Construction,
4, 53-57 (ISSN 0866-8762).
8. Nguyen-Ngan, H., Ha Quoc, V., Nguyen Dinh Hoang, L., Vu Thi, T., Ha Duong Xuan, B., & Tran Thi, V. (2019).
Drought Evaluation on a territory by space technology solution. Vietnam Journal of Construction, 4, 40-43 (ISSN
0866-8762)
9. Nguyen-Ngan, H., Ha Duong Xuan, B., & Tran Thi, V (2019). Assessing drought in Di Linh district by remote
sensing image. Proceedings of the conference CAREES 2019: Basic research in the field of earth science and
environment. DOI:10.15625/vap.2019.000160
3
PROJECT/RESEARCH PARTICIPATIONS:
1. OrganoRice Project
- Client: German Governement and Vietnamese Government
- Role(s): Develop optimal irrigation strategies for organic rice production in the
Mekong Delta Vietnam
- Link: OrganoRice – organic rice production in the Mekong delta
UNU-EHS, Germany, 10/2024 – 05/2025
2. Research to develop solutions to restore and protect water sources in layers of basalt
formations and terrigenous sediment to serve water supply for water-scarce areas
in the Central Highlands. DTDL.CN-67/2
- Client: Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology
- Role(s): Retrieve land cover maps from satellite data; Develop Python model to study
the relationship between groundwater and land cover changes
SIWRR, Vietnam, 01/2021 – 04/2024
3. OrganoRice Project
- Client: German Governement and Vietnamese Government
- Role(s): Review the current situation and current development of organic and in-
organic agricultures in Vietnam; Develop non-economic indices to evaluate the
organic transition
- Link: OrganoRice – organic rice production in the Mekong delta UNU-EHS, Germany, 07/2023 – 10/2023
4. Establish a database on landslides, population, and infrastructures in Ho Chi Minh
City applying survey methods for the prevention and management of riverbank and
coastal landslides
- Client: Ho Chi Minh People Committee
- Role(s): Analyse satellite data and digitalise GIS data to determine the morphology
of riverbanks and coastlines; Thematic mapping (hydraulic and hydrological
construction system maps, administrative maps.
SIWRR, Vietnam, 08/2022 – 04/2023
5. Drought-ADAPT
- Client: German Aerospace Center (DLR)
- Role(s): Responsible for translating Vietnamese-English for reports, documents, and
meetings
- Link: Drought-ADAPT (dlr.de)
SIWRR, Vietnam, 06/2021 – 09/2021
6. Develop an integrated geographical system database for water management in Long
Xuyen Quadrangle and Quan Lo-Phung Hiep Sub-Region, Mekong Delta
- Client: GIZ, local authorities in Mekong Delta, Vietnam
- Role(s): Collect and digitalize water data; Develop GIS database and co-develop
WebGIS in water fields in for study regions
- Link: MWDB - Cơ sở dữ liệu ngành nước Đồng bằng sông Cửu Long
(soctrang.gov.vn)
SIWRR, Vietnam, 10/2020 – 11/2021
7. Flood mapping caused by sea-level rise in the case of heavy storms in Ho Chi Minh
City, Vietnam
- Client: Ho Chi Minh City Department of Irrigation
- Role(s): Retrieve land cover from satellite data and create land use maps; Evaluate
riverbank erosion by DSAS method
SIWRR, Vietnam, 07/2020 – 01/2021
8. Experiment on hydraulic model of Cai Lon sluice gate of Cai Lon - Cai Be irrigation
system project
- Client: Can Tho Province authorities
- Role(s): Digitalise collected data to GIS data; Thematic mappings (hydraulic and
hydrological construction system maps, administrative maps)
SIWRR, Vietnam, 05/2020 – 08/2021
9. Develop GIS Databases for the Drainage System in Ho Chi Minh City
- Client: Mott MacDonald
SIWRR, Vietnam, 04/2020 – 10/2021
- Role(s): Responsible for the GIS team to correspond between the Vietnamese team
and the international team; GIS data processing and management
10. Develop GIS Databases for the Mekong Delta Region
- Client: Royal HaskoningDHV
- Role(s): Responsible for GIS database development and management; Thematic
mapping (GIS database, flood maps, tidal maps) by scenarios
SIWRR, Vietnam, 12/2019 – 08/2021
11. Monitoring and forecasting water quality in the system of irrigation works in the
area between the two Vam Co rivers, serving water for agricultural production
- Client: Directorate of Water Resources of Ho Chi Minh City
- Role(s): Digitalise and mange GIS data for hydraulic model
SIWRR, Vietnam, 12/2019 – 12/2020
12. Consultancy for Hydraulic modelling work for Tra Vinh City, Vietnam
- Client: World Bank
- Role(s): Digitalise and mange GIS data for hydraulic model
SIWRR, Vietnam, 11/2019 – 11/2020
13. Urban Development and Climate Resilience in Vinh Long City, Vietnam
- Client: World Bank
- Role(s): Digitalise and mange GIS data for hydraulic model; Thematic mapping
(flood map, administrative map) by scenarios; Flood damages calculation (flooded
area, damage function, EAD index, etc.)
SIWRR, Vietnam, 08/2019 – 12/2020
14. Research and propose overall solutions to improve and protect the water
environment for sustainable development in the Mekong Delta region. KC.08.30
- Client: Vietnam Ministry of Science and Technology
- Role(s): Calculate and evaluate surface water quality based on the relation of water
quality parameters and satellite images; Thematic mapping on water quality
(calculation/prediction results) by scenarios, administrative map
SIWRR, Vietnam, 08/2019 – 11/2021
15. Growth and metal uptake capacity of Microalgae under exposure to heavy metals
- Competition: Science Research Symposium 2018 (OISP-HCMUT)
- Under Programs: KSTN/PFIEV/OISP
- Supervisor: Assoc. Prof. Dao Thanh Son (Faculty of Environment and Natural
Resources-HCMUT)
HCMUT, Vietnam, 09/2017 – 04/2018
16. Student's projects during 4 years of Bachelor study
- Topic: Rainfall Forecast
Determine the factors effect on the rainfall and forecasting the rainfall by statistic
methods: Linear Regression Model, Multivariate Regression Analyses Model, Time-
series Model, ARIMA Time- series Model
- Topic: Ho Chi Minh City Climate Change
Assessing the climate change on the precipitation, temperature, atmospheric stability
in Ho Chi Minh City by Remote Sensing images and USGS Landsat 7, 8 products
HCMUT, Vietnam, 09/2015 – 09/2019
HONORS AND AWARDS:
Zukunftspreis des Erftverbandes - Future Prize of Erftverband 2024 for Master Thesis:
The Erftverband prize recognizes initiatives in nature, landscape, climate protection, water-related
innovation, and social or cultural commitment, especially those promoting sustainable and future-
oriented ecological, economic, or social values.
Bergheim, Germany, 10/2024
Gold medal for top students in the bachelor graduation list (Vietnamese certification)
HCMUT, Vietnam, 11/2019
Student of 5 merits (Vietnamese certification)
- Student of 5 merits is the noble title of the Vietnamese Student Association awarded to
students who meet 5 criteria including good morality, good academic results, good
physical strength, good volunteering and good integration.
HCMUT, Vietnam, 01/2019
Academic Scholarship – Office of International Study Program (OISP)-HCMUT
- Academic Scholarship for excellent student in 04 academic years (08 semesters) from
2015 to 2019, HCMUT, Vietnam, 09/2015 – 09/2019
Top 20 Excellent Research Projects in Science Research Symposium 2018 and
Second Prize in Science Research Symposium 2018
- Research Symposium 2018 (OISP-HCMUT)
- Scientific research: Growth and metal uptake capacity of Microalgae under exposure to
heavy metals, HCMUT, Vietnam, 04/2018