Reader N.L sent a question to the Ministry of Public Security regarding regulations on the use of drones.
According to Mr. N.L, recently, the press has reported a number of cases of people using drones near the airport area, affecting the flight operations of the aircraft.
Regarding this issue, Mr. N.L would like to ask the Ministry of Public Security about some contents, such as whether the use of drones such as flycams, Drones, UAVs... without a license will be punished or not;
In which cases will flight licenses be exempted...
Regarding readers' questions, the Ministry of Public Security has the following answers:
According to Decree No. 144/2021/ND-CP, the use of unlicensed unmanned aerial vehicles such as flycams, Drones, UAVs, etc. will be punished as follows:
Fines from VND 1,000,000 to VND 2,000,000 for the use of drones or super light aircraft that have not been registered for flight licenses or organize flight activities without a license or have been registered but have not controlled flights at the correct time, location, area, coordinates, and permitted limits;
Fines from VND 8,000,000 to VND 10,000,000 for the act of performing unmanned aerial operations and super light flying vehicles that do not comply with the content of the flight license issued by a competent authority;
Fines from VND 20,000,000 to VND 30,000,000 for the act of performing drones and super light flying vehicles without permission to fly issued by a competent authority;
In addition, there is a form of additional penalty of confiscation of exhibits and means of administrative violation and revocation of flight use rights from 3 months to 6 months for violations (clearly stipulated in the Decree).
Regarding cases exempted from flight licenses, the Ministry of Public Security said that, based on Clause 3, Article 30 of Law No. 49/2024/QH15 of the National Assembly promulgating the Law on People's Air Defense, it stipulates that unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles falling under one of the following cases are exempted from flight licenses.
First, operating outside prohibited flight areas, areas with limited flight, operating within visual range, with a maximum take-off weight of less than 0.25 kg for entertainment;
Second, operating in an emergency to protect the lives and property of organizations and individuals according to the decision of the competent authority, but must notify the flight management agency before taking flight.
The Law on People's Air Defense takes effect from July 1, 2025.
Regarding procedures and documents for applying for a license to use unmanned aerial vehicles in Vietnam, it is stipulated as follows:
Individuals and organizations that need to be licensed to use drones and super light flying vehicles must submit their application no later than 7 working days.
Before the scheduled flight implementation date, organizations and individuals must submit an application for flight licensing to the combat operations department - General Staff - Ministry of National Defense (submit directly at the one-stop department of the Ministry of National Defense or via public postal service to the combat operations department, No. 01 Nguyen Tri Phuong, Ba Dinh, Hanoi or submit online on the Ministry of National Defense's public service portal).
Within 5 working days, the combat operations agency grants a license to organize flights or issue a document denying the flight license (in cases where security, national defense, aviation safety are required and when the information specified in the flight license application has not been fully provided).
In case of any problems or need for guidance in the process of submitting documents, citizens/organization are requested to contact the Department of Combat Affairs via phone number 0987567606 for support.
Regarding the content of the dossier, it includes:
Application for flight license;
Photo of aircraft and flying vehicles (minimum size 18 x 24cm);
Explanation of aviation techniques of aircraft and means of flight;
A license or legal authorization letter allowing aircraft or means of flight to take off and land at airports or areas on land or water surface;
Other documents and papers related to aircraft and means of flight.
To facilitate Vietnamese and foreign organizations and individuals in managing, exploiting and using drones and other flying vehicles in Vietnam's airspace, on June 15, 2025, the Ministry of National Defense officially announced the no-flying area and flight restrictions for drones and other flying vehicles.
People access the address http://cambay.mod.gov.vn for more information updates.
