Dr. Le Thi Kim Thoa

Thoa Biography

Dr. Le Thi Kim Thoa is a distinguished expert in Geoinformatics and marine resources. She currently serves as the Deputy Head of the Department of Science, Technology, and External Relations at Ho Chi Minh City University of Natural Resources and Environment (HCMUNRE). Concurrently, she holds the position of Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh City Marine Science, Technology, and Economy Association.

Dr. Thoa earned her Ph.D. in Geoinformatics from the School of Geography at the University of Nottingham, UK, in 2008. Prior to this, she obtained her Master of Technology (M.Tech.) in Remote Sensing and GIS from the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing in Dehradun, India, in 2000.

Throughout her career, Dr. Thoa has held several key leadership positions, including Deputy Head of the Faculty of Marine Resources Management- HCMUNRE, Director of the Center for Sea and Island Studies, and Head of the Economic Geography and Regional Development Division at Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-HCM).

Her primary research interests are extensive and interdisciplinary, covering marine resources and environment management, the application of GIS and remote sensing to marine resources management, renewable energy and CCS, microplastics, climate change adaptation and mitigation, urban environmental management, smart and sustainable cities, and WebGIS programming.

Thoa Publications

• [2025] Kim, T.T., Bao, T.T., Trinh, N.N. Thoa L.T.K , Phung, N.K, Bay N.T., The Impact of Plastic on the Ecological Environment: The Pathway of Microplastics and the Control of Microplastic Pollution. Water Air Soil Pollut 236, 684 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-025-08311-5
• [2025] Thoa Thi Kim Le , Kim Thi Tran, Diem Thi My Phung, Huy Ngoc Dinh, Thinh Nam Ngo, Coastal Erosion and Accretion in Vietnam: Some Case Studies. Book chapter in Coastal Sustainability, ISBN: 978-3-031-75749-5, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-75749-5
• [2023] Tran Thi Kim, Phung Thi My Diem, Hoang Phan Phuong Quynh, Ngo Nam Thinh, Le Thi Kim Thoa , Assessing the vulnerability of agriculture to saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta provinces, Journal of Hydrometeorology 2023,755(1),67-82; https://doi:10.36335/VNJHM.2023(755(1)).67-82 [in Vietnamese]
• [2022] Nguyen Ngoc Trinh, Nguyen Hoang Duc Thinh, Nguyen Thi Quynh Thu, Pham Thi Diem Phuong, Le Thi Kim Thoa, Can Thu Van, Application of the WQI index to assess the surface water quality of the Bao Dinh river section flowing through Tan An city, Journal of Hydrometeorology, 744,28-38; http://doi:10.36335/VNJHM.2022(744).28-38 [in Vietnamese]
• [2022] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Bui Thi Ngoc Trieu, Monitoring sea surface temperature in the Spratly Islands region using MODIS AQUA data. Monograph: The relationship between marine economic development and the protection of Vietnam's sea and island sovereignty. VNU-HCMC Press. pp. 375-386 [in Vietnamese]
• [2021] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Bui Thi Ngoc Trieu, Monitoring sea surface temperature in the Spratly Islands region using Modis Aqua data from 2003 to 2019, Journal of Natural Resources and Environment, ISSN 1859-1477, Page 53-55 [in Vietnamese]
• [2021] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Bui Thi Ngoc Trieu, Monitoring the change of sea surface salinity in the Bien Dong of Vietnam 2011-2015, Report at the international scientific conference Socio-ecological resilience across Eurasia innovation for sustainability transition. INTENSE Open Science Conference. Online/Tartu, Estonia, 5-7 October 2021
• [2020] Huynh Yen Nhi, Le Thi Kim Thoa, Coastline changes detection from Sentinel–1 satellite imagery using spatial fuzzy clustering and interactive thresholding method in Phan Thiet, Binh Thuan, Vietnam Journal of Hydrometeorology, https://DOI:10.36335/VNJHM.2020(6).1-10
• [2019] Y. Noshi, T. Uda, A. Date, L. T. K. Thoa and A. Kobayashi, Beach erosion triggered by spatial imbalance of longshore sand transport in Phan Thiet, Vietnam, Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Asian and Pacific Coasts (APAC 2019) Hanoi, Vietnam, September 25-28, 2019
• [2018] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Building scientific basis for the term of “positioning resources” and proposing methodology for identifying and evaluating the position’s value of vietnam coastal island systems, Journal of Marine Science and Technology. Vol.18, No.3; 2018:231–240, https://DOI:10.15625/1859-3097/18/3/10756
• [2017] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Tran Thi Kim, An overview the erosion and deposition research results in Vietnam coastal zone, Proceedings of the third International Conference on estuarine coastal and shelf studies – ECSS 2017, pp.329-345. ISBN:978–604–73–5521-1
• [2016] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Some solutions for sustainable economic development of Vietnam's islands in the context of climate change, Journal of Marine Science and Technology; Vol. 16, No. 1; 2016:12-20, https://DOI:10.15625/1859-097/16/1/6426 [in Vietnamese]
• [2015] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long. Identifying and evaluating the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and challenges of tourism products and services of the high-quality eco-tourism island of Phu Quoc. Proceedings of the scientific conference "Marketing Phu Quoc as a tourist destination", April 21, 2015, Phu Quoc [in Vietnamese]
• [2015] Le Thi Kim Thoa, The importance of Vietnam's islands and archipelagos and the issue of sovereignty disputes in the South China Sea (Bien Dong), Book: The South China Sea (Bien Dong): history, legal aspects, and international relations, Do Tien Sam (Editor), Social Sciences Publishing House, pp. 17-45 [in Vietnamese]
• [2014] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Vietnam's islands and archipelagos in the South China Sea (Bien Dong) in economic development and ensuring national security, Journal of Science and Technology Development, No. 17, 2014, pp. 113-127 [in Vietnamese]
• [2014] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long, Positional resources of the southwestern sea and island region: potential and prospects, Book "Identifying and promoting the values of sea and island resources for sustainable development in the Southern region" edited by Tran Nam Tien and Pham Ngoc Tram [in Vietnamese]
• [2014] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long, The South China Sea (Bien Dong) issue - Its impacts on Vietnam-China trade relations and the Vietnamese economy, Journal of Chinese Studies, No. 07(155), 2014, pp. 63-77 [in Vietnamese]
• [2014] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Study on livelihood vulnerability of local community in coastal areas of Ben Tre province in the impact of climate change, Asia Pacific Sociological Association (APSA) conference” Tranforming Societies: Contestations and Conuergences in Asia and the Pacific”,15-16 February 2014 in Chiang Mai, Thailand
• [2014] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long. Research and evaluation of the effectiveness of agro-forestry-fishery combination models in Hon Tre island commune, Kien Giang. Proceedings of the 8th National Geography Conference, "Vietnamese geography in the strategy of innovation, integration and development", 2014. pp. 780-189 [in Vietnamese]
• [2014] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Awareness of the community in 3 coastal communes of Ben Tre province on the impact of climate change on local livelihood activities. Proceedings of the Faculty of Geography's scientific conference 2014, "Rational use and protection of natural resources and environment in the Southern region. HCMC, October 2014 [in Vietnamese]
• [2013] Le Thi Kim Thoa, A study on the livelihood vulnerability of people in some coastal communes of Ben Tre province in the context of climate change, Journal of Social Sciences, No. 9 (2013). pp. 65-73 [in Vietnamese]
• [2013] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Adaptive capacity of the coastal community in Ben Tre province in the context of climate change, Thu Dau Mot University Journal, No. 5(12)2013. pp. 72-78 [in Vietnamese]
• [2013] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long. Potential of positional resources in the southwestern sea and island region. Proceedings of the national conference "Sustainable development of the Mekong Delta - theoretical and practical issues". HCMC, December 2013. ISBN:978604732141-4 [in Vietnamese]
• [2013] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy, Nguyen The Trung. Solutions to enhance the coping capacity of people in three coastal districts of Ben Tre province in the context of climate change. Proceedings of the national conference "Sustainable development of the Mekong Delta - theoretical and practical issues". HCMC, December 2013. ISBN:978604732141-4 [in Vietnamese]
• [2013] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy. Indigenous knowledge of the coastal community in Ben Tre province in the context of climate change. Proceedings of the national conference "Sustainable development of the Mekong Delta - theoretical and practical issues", HCMC, December 2013. ISBN:978604732141-4 [in Vietnamese]
• [2012] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long. Tourism development from the geodiversity in Ha Tien – Kien Giang. Proceedings of the 7th National Geography Conference, Serving the socio-economic development strategy of Vietnam's territories and sea and islands, Thai Nguyen University. ISBN:978-604-915-044-9 [in Vietnamese]
• [2012] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long, Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy. The necessity of including the Sea and Islands course in the undergraduate geography curriculum. Scientific conference "Issues in geography research and teaching". 6/2012 [in Vietnamese]
• [2012] Le Thi Kim Thoa, Ngo Hoang Dai Long and Nguyen Thi Thu Thuy. Vietnam's islands and archipelagos in the cause of socio-economic development and ensuring national security. National conference: The South China Sea (Bien Dong): cooperation and development prospects, co-organized by VNU-USSH Hanoi, Political Academy Region III, and VNU-USSH HCMC, Da Nang city, December 12-13, 2012 [in Vietnamese]
• [2007] Le, T. K. T, Abrahart, R. J. and Mount, N. J., M5 Model Tree applied to modelling town centre area activities for the City of Nottingham. GeoComputation 2007: Proceedings Ninth International Conference on GeoComputation, National University of Ireland, Maynooth, Ireland, 3-5
• [2005] Le, T. K. T, Abrahart, R. J., Priestnall, G. and Aplin, P.. Town centre modelling based on public participation. CUPUM'05: Proceedings Ninth International Conference on Computers in Urban Planning and Urban Management, University College London, United Kingdom, 29 June - 1 July 2005. Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London.
• [2004] Le, T. K. T, Abrahart, R. J. and Priestnall, G.. Using information fusion methodologies to develop a town centre index for Nottingham. Proceedings 30th Congress of the International Geographical Union, Glasgow, United Kingdom
• [2004] Le, T. K. T, Abrahart, R. J., Priestnall, G. and Aplin, P. First Steps in the Development of a Weighted Town Centre Index Model for Nottingham. UDMS'04: Proceedings 24th Urban Data Management Symposium, Chioggia, Venice, Italy

Projects

• [2020-2023] Marine Coastal And Delta Sustainability For Southeast Asia (MARE), Funded by ERASMUS+ (EACEA), Project Leader, Program Coordinator.
• [2020-2023] Study on the occurrence of rip currents in the South Central coastal region, applied to Doi Duong beach, Binh Thuan Province, Ministry-level project (MONRE), Principal Member.
• [2020-2023] Research on erosion characteristics, proposing solutions for mangrove forest restoration and development in the Southwestern coastal area; Pilot in An Minh district, Kien Giang Province, Ministry-level project (MONRE), Project Leader.
• [2017-2020] Research to identify causes, mechanisms, and propose feasible technical and cost-effective solutions to limit erosion and sedimentation for the Mekong Delta river system, State-level project, Project Member.
• [2019-2020] Research on tidal energy potential in Ho Chi Minh City area, City-level project, Project Member.
• [2017-2019] Functional zoning of Ho Chi Minh City's coastal area, Department-level project (DOST), Member.
• [2017-2018] Zoning for exploitation and use of resources in the coastal and island areas of Khanh Hoa province for integrated and unified management, Provincial-level project, Member.
• [2017] Study on the impacts of climate change and sea-level rise on the transformation of tidal constituents at Vung Tau station, University-level project, Project Member.
• [2014-2016] Positional resources of the Kien Giang sea and island region, VNU-level project, Type B, Project Leader.
• [2014-2015] Exploitation of historical and cultural relics in Ho Chi Minh City for tourism development, University-level project, Project Member.
• [2013-2017] Investment project to establish a collection and research room for social sciences and humanities on sea and islands, State-level project, Project Leader.
• [2013-2015] History of management and exploitation of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau sea and island region (1900-2013), Provincial-level project, Project Member.
• [2011-2013] Responding to saltwater intrusion and flooding by communities in three coastal districts of Ben Tre province: Current situation and solutions, VNU-level project, Type C, Project Leader.
• [2000-2001] Development of an electronic atlas for administrative management at the district level - implemented in District 2, HCMC, Department-level project, Member.
• [1999-2000] Resettlement policies for the poor in new districts of HCMC, ENDA Project, Member.
• [1999-2000] Analysis of the socio-economic impacts of the Tan Thuan Export Processing Zone, Ministry-level project, Member.
• [1998-1999] Using remote sensing imagery and GIS to monitor land use change processes in the inner-city area of HCMC, University-level project, Project Leader.
• [1997-2004] Project 415 (Tan Hoa-Lo Gom canal cleanup project), Belgian-funded project, Participant.
• [1996-1997] Current status of coffee cultivation in the Central Highlands and related socio-economic issues, French-funded project, Member.
• [1995-1997] Spontaneous rural-urban migration in HCMC: current situation and solutions, Dutch-funded project, Member.
• [1994-1996] Natural Atlas of Ho Chi Minh City, State-level project, Member.

Research Interests

• Marine resources and environment management
• Application of GIS and remote sensing to marine resources management
• WebGIS programming
• Renewable energy, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS)
• Microplastic pollution
• Climate change adaptation and mitigation
• Urban environmental management
• Smart and sustainable cities

Teaching

• Applied GIS
• Map Digitizing Techniques
• Data Modeling
• Applied Remote Sensing
• Marine Remote Sensing
• Image Processing
• Cartography
• WebGIS Programming
• Physical Geography of the South China Sea (Bien Dong)
• Marine Economics
• Marketing Place
• Law and Policy of Sea and Islands
• English for Specific Purposes
• Urban Management
• Law, policy on climate change, sustainable development, etc.

Postgraduate Supervision

• [2025] Tran Thanh Vu, Research and assessment of the urbanization process in Vung Tau city, Ba Ria – Vung Tau province using remote sensing and GIS technology (M.Sc. Student)
• [2025] Tran Quynh Dieu, Developing a tourism WebGIS page for Ba Ria city, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province (M.Sc. Student)
• [2024] Nguyen Van Chung, Research and assessment of the urbanization process in Tan An city, Long An province using remote sensing and GIS (M.Sc. Student)
• [2017] Nguyen Minh Hieu, Vulnerability of farming households' livelihoods to flooding and saltwater intrusion in Tan Tap commune, Can Giuoc district, Long An - Current situation and solutions (M.Sc. Student)
• [2016] Duong Huu Hien, Proposing a model for exploiting the Dong Nai river tourism route, Dong Nai province (M.Sc. Student)
• [2015] Ngo Hoang Dai Long, Orientation for the development of marine and island eco-tourism in Ha Tien – Kien Giang (M.Sc. Student).
• [2011] Nguyen Ngoc Dan Tuyen, Assessing the impact of the incense-making profession on the socio-economic life of people in Can Duoc district, Long An province (M.Sc. Student)
• [2011] Nguyen Thi Hong Yen, Implementation of the Minh Hung - Korea Industrial Park planning in Binh Phuoc province: current situation and solutions (M.Sc. Student)
• [2009] Nguyen Thi Tuyet Thanh, Orientation for farm economic development in Tan Uyen district, Binh Duong province during the industrialization and modernization period (M.Sc. Student)