On February 11, many areas in Hải Dương Province enjoyed warm sunshine, with temperatures rising to around 20°C — favorable conditions for farmers to transplant seedlings for the winter–spring crop.
According to the weather forecast, several localities in Hải Dương experienced mild and sunny weather that day, with the highest temperature reaching nearly 20°C. People eagerly headed to the fields to plant the late-season winter–spring rice crop.
In Thái Minh Commune, Bình Giang District, Mr. Nguyễn Văn Nghĩa and his wife cultivated about three sào (a traditional Northern Vietnam land measure) of rice this season. Following the technical guidance from local agricultural authorities, the couple waited until after the Lunar New Year (Tết Nguyên Đán) to begin planting.
Because their farmland is slightly elevated, Mr. Nghĩa and neighboring households had proactively stored irrigation water from the very first tillage stage. “This year, we don’t have to worry about water shortage,” he said.
The couple mainly grows short-term, high-yield rice varieties. Before transplanting, the seedlings were sown on firm ground. When the young rice reached about three leaves, they decided to complete direct sowing right after the Lập Xuân solar term (February 10).
For level plots with accessible irrigation, Mr. Nghĩa and some nearby households hired rice-seeding machines to broadcast seeds, which helped save labor and time.
Mrs. Vũ Thị Mát, also from Thái Minh Commune, shared that she and other villagers had been inspecting their fields frequently and discovered numerous rat tracks. Based on her observations, she estimated that the rat population this season might be higher than last year’s.
To protect her newly sown rice, Mrs. Mát covered the plots with nylon sheets to prevent rat damage. “A single nylon sheet can be reused twice — next season I’ll just flip it over to save costs,” she explained. After securing the nylon with stakes, farmers reinforced the edges with soil to block any entry points for rodents.
The over-60-year-old farmer also mentioned that if the rat population becomes excessive, she might hire pest control services for trapping and baiting, noting that “each captured rat can earn between 15,000 and 20,000 VND.”
Alongside the rice fields sown on February 11, farmers across Bình Giang District and Hải Dương Province have been preparing protective materials and equipment — such as nylon tunnels — to shield seedlings from cold weather, maintaining adequate water levels to retain warmth.
They also avoid applying nitrogen fertilizer on cold days, instead using well-decomposed manure, phosphate, and cool wood ash to strengthen seedlings against the chill.
The Hải Dương Plant Cultivation and Plant Protection Sub-Department advised farmers not to transplant rice when the average daily temperature drops below 15°C. For areas already planted, farmers are encouraged to maintain sufficient water levels to keep the rice warm and prevent frost damage.