Flying Drones In Vietnam

These guys may be worth asking, not sure if there are any English speakers.

This forums system needs a good overhaul. Yet again, couldnt paste the link.

This forums system needs a good overhaul. Yet again, couldnt paste the link.
-@colinoscapee

one of the Admins reported a similar problem this morning.

are you simply pasting the link into your reply or are you using the link tool?

Tried both. Get a red box saying "this is cumpulsory."

Drones,,

I have been drone flying here in Vietnam for last 2 years, in HCMC Da Lat, all up the coast to Quy Nhon.

I have watched mutiple drone channels from Viets flying.

The rules are no flying without applying takes ages and for per flight.

The reality is people fly everywhere, dont fly anywhere near army sites, monuments which have army guards, tourist spots with army/security, although I have asked army guard at Tuy Hoa if I could do an up and down quickly at the tower he said ok,.

Mine are Dji mini SE & mini 3 pro both 249g

So class C0 which is ok to fly anywhere except restricted airspace anywhere else in world.

I can give you more info on shops, prices sample videos in Vietnam etc

Its a great hobby.

I am considering a new hobby to keep this old mind sharp, I thought recreation drone flying at home in the Delta would be good, maybe rent myself out to some You Tube bloggers that would like video footage. Researching this forum shows posts 4 or 5 years old, and not based on Laws. I found a document dated July 2022 on Vietnam Law concerning Drone usage in Vietnam. Doesn't look like an easy process, just wondering if this is enforced outside mainstream Vietnam.  Didn't really want to copy/paste the whole document but appears the forum doesn't allow links (?)        https://drone-laws.com/drone-laws-in-vietnam
Drone Laws
Vietnam Flag - Vietnam Drone Laws
Drone Laws in Vietnam
Table of Contents
Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Vietnam
Are drones allowed in Vietnam?
Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Vietnam:
How to obtain a drone permit in Vietnam?
Note for Foreign Operator
Completing a drone recreational permit, yourself in Vietnam
Completing a drone recreational permit via an agency in Vietnam
Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Vietnam
Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Vietnam
Useful published information on flying drones in Vietnam
Traveling with a Drone?
Help Us Keep Drone Laws Updated
Tell Us About Your Recent Experience
In The Comments Below
Do Something Awesome. Share this post:
Agencies Responsible for regulating drones in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)

Updated July 22, 2022

UAS Laws – General rules for flying drones in Vietnam
The Vietnamese agency responsible for drone safety, CAAV, has provided several internet-accessible details on flying a drone for fun or work. The highlights are enumerated below. For more details go to the link above.

Are drones allowed in Vietnam?
According to CAAV, drones are allowed in Vietnam, subject to CAAV regulations. Read on for more details.

Here are the most important rules to know for flying a drone in Vietnam:
Each drone flight conducted in Vietnam requires a special flight license. Applications must be submitted to the Operations Bureau of the General Command Post of the Ministry of Defense at least 14 days before the planned date of the flight.
Drones are not permitted to be used to transport radioactive, flammable, or explosive materials.
Drones may not be used to launch, shoot, or jettison potentially hazardous objects or substances.
Drones can fly to a maximum altitude of 492 feet.
Drones must weigh less than 26 lbs.
Drones are not permitted to be flown over military bases or government buildings.
Drones are only permitted to be flown during daylight hours.
Without a license issued for that purpose, drones may not be mounted with aerial equipment or used for aerial videography or photography.
Drones are not permitted to fly flags or banners, distribute leaflets, or engage in any other form of propaganda.
How to obtain a drone permit in Vietnam?
Permission is required for recreational drone use in Vietnam. You can obtain it on your own or through the assistance of an agency. In both instances, you must submit a flight license application dossier that includes the following:

a flight license application. Apply at least 14 days before your scheduled flight (no modifications less than ten days before)
Technical documentation for your drone, including photographs of the type and a written explanation of its technical aviation properties.
A license or other legal document authorizing your drone to take off from or land on an airfield, land surface, or body of water.
All other papers and documents of your drone.
Note for Foreign Operator
You can bring your drone into Vietnam.

You need authorization from the Ministry of Defense, and although you can fill the form yourself (it's in Vietnamese), it can take up to 3 weeks to be approved.

This process will cost you: between $ 350 and $ 700, depending on who is doing your permit. And that's only for one day of flying.

Completing a drone recreational permit, yourself in Vietnam
You will need to complete the form and answer detailed questions about your stay and drone category, including the zone in which flight activities are permitted, flight direction and trail, flight times and duration, regulations regarding flight coordination notification, and flight supervision. This will need to be submitted to the Defense Ministry.

Completing a drone recreational permit via an agency in Vietnam
Another option is to hire a local company to assist you with the visa application, which appears to be possible within seven working days.

Permits range in price from $350 to $700 per day of flying, depending on your chosen agency. Bear in mind that you cannot change days in the event of inclement weather, which means you could quickly find yourself in debt.

Notes for recreational drone pilots flying for fun in Vietnam
See general rules above.

Notes for operating Commercial Drone Services in Vietnam
See general rules above.

Useful published information on flying drones in Vietnam
Here is an example of what you can expect to discover when flying a drone legally in Vietnam…


NOTE: Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS), Small UAS, Remote Piloted Aerial Systems (RPAS), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), and drone are interchangeable terms unless specified. Model aircraft, toy aircraft, Remote controlled aircraft, and RC aircraft may be covered by the same regulations unless specified.

Any up to date incite on this subject is greatly appreciated, before I spend $$ on a DJI Mini 3 only to find out I can't fly it in Vietnam. About $900 in Bangkok.  Now the police in the Delta are not the sharpest pencils in the box and may just deny it out of hand, cause they don't know what it is.

Thanx and as always. Peace.
-@tunnelrat69

I had someone do a drone video shoot for me in Đà Nẵng two years ago.

He was a Russian guy who said that it was legal for him to use the drone east of the AH17 road but not west of it.

He quoted some official CAAV regulation.

Bottom line, if you require unfettered access to any and all areas, that's not going to happen.

If you are willing to accept the responsibility to check regarding local restrictions, you'll likely have a lot of worry-free fun.

Enjoy!

More on the subject, the DJI range of drones which are high quality and are the mainstream drone to fly around the globe has inbuilt maps in the flight control app around all restricted areas like prisons & airposrt there is a GEO fence the software will not allow the drone to fly into it, the GEO zone is from ground level up to space,,,

So even if you wanted to go fly within an airport restricted zone you can't.

Here is the DJI flysafe map for all restrictions around the world , just look on map it will say if the drone will be locked out that area or not.

The shop I bought mine from in D10 HCMC is the largest drone/audio/camera shop they sell thousands of vlogger related gear, wifi mics 360 cams new and secondhand drones etc, they have demo nights and talks on newgear and post daily on new gear in.

There are local police who are in the shop as buyers when they do demo night, I have spoken to them with shop staff (1 guys speaks ok english) they have confirmed rules are old and mini drones not around when written, police don't care as long as common sense just doing video and not racing around annoying people and stay away from army, if they say go don't stick around to be told again.

There are thousands of drone buyers and hobbyists in Vietnam, I've stood chatting to many on my trips around beaches, temples, moutain top views, locals & tourists security staff etc all come over to look at the screen amazed at what the tech can do.

This forums system needs a good overhaul. Yet again, couldnt paste the link.
-@colinoscapee

Hey colinoscapee,

I sent you a private message regarding this issue.

Cheers,

Cheryl

Expat.com team

Just use common sense, fly the drone in non built up cities, religious, military or guarded with security area. Rural areas, fly away... I've never had issues and have been flying for many years, if i feel uneasy i get the drone up high as soon as possible without drawing too much attention, once up its pretty much out of sight, land it quickly, pack it away and off you go.

Applying for this takes far too long and its per specific flight and per specific flight route, not at all practical in my opinion, so I just fly regardless and without application keeping in mind I fly sensibly and away from sensitive areas.

Just use common sense, fly the drone in non built up cities, religious, military or guarded with security area. Rural areas, fly away... I've never had issues and have been flying for many years, if i feel uneasy i get the drone up high as soon as possible without drawing too much attention, once up its pretty much out of sight, land it quickly, pack it away and off you go.
Applying for this takes far too long and its per specific flight and per specific flight route, not at all practical in my opinion, so I just fly regardless and without application keeping in mind I fly sensibly and away from sensitive areas.
-@che1986

In Malta? (current location listed on your profile)

Just use common sense, fly the drone in non built up cities, religious, military or guarded with security area. Rural areas, fly away... I've never had issues and have been flying for many years, if i feel uneasy i get the drone up high as soon as possible without drawing too much attention, once up its pretty much out of sight, land it quickly, pack it away and off you go.
Applying for this takes far too long and its per specific flight and per specific flight route, not at all practical in my opinion, so I just fly regardless and without application keeping in mind I fly sensibly and away from sensitive areas.
-@che1986

Hi Welcome to the forum,

Thats just about the advice given to me and others at demo events at the HCMC Drone shop by the Police who also buy their drone hobby gear there.

Don't peeve off the army, stay away from anywhere your going to get pinged by security.

The app I mentioned is the DJI fly Safe app which if you have a DJI drone the software wont let you fly in a non- fly GEO zone like over a prison or Airport.

Other drones may or may not have the software built in, so a quick check to see if you are near an airport is common sense.

As you stated the rules here are really poor, they are years out of date to the rest of the world when the drones were 2kg+ now the mini sub 250g drone is allowed to fly everywhere in most countries except stated above, so parks, industrial estates, even over police buildings, are all ok in UK, Europe, USA.

Thousands of Youtubers post daily flying just about everywhere imaginable - it's a growing hobby, shame about the VN rules at the moment.

Like you said get up 30m + and most people don't even know you have a drone unless they walk past you and you are looking at some weird gadget in your hands.

All of the tourist spots I've done I always have people waving to the drone and them asking where they can get a copy or see themself on the video.

On the other hand flying low and buzzing people like an idiot will always cause security or attention that you didnt want.