Drones in Vietnam require a Ministry of Defence permit through a local sponsor. Fines of 8–30 million dong, no-fly zones and what to expect at customs on arrival.
Why you can’t just bring a drone and fly it
Many tourists planning to film beautiful aerial shots of Ha Long Bay or the rice terraces of Sapa rely on experience in other countries, where a drone can be flown with almost no formalities. Vietnam works differently: for drones weighing 250 grams or more a flight permit is mandatory, and it is issued by the Ministry of Defence — not a tourism or civil aviation body, but the military department, which in itself says something about how seriously the procedure is taken. The application requires a detailed file with the exact coordinates of the planned flights and specific dates — so you cannot take off spontaneously “since the drone is with me”, even if you want to do everything properly.
With light drones weighing up to 250 grams the situation is less clear-cut: the new Decree No. 288/2025 formally exempts such aircraft from a permit outside restricted zones, but a number of authoritative sources still insist that a permit is needed for any drone regardless of weight. Given this uncertainty it is wiser to assume the stricter interpretation and not count on “a small drone — no paperwork needed”.
How to get a permit in practice
A foreigner cannot apply for a permit directly — you must go through a local sponsor: a specialised agency or organisation that takes care of submitting the documents. The process takes several weeks, so applying for a trip a couple of days away is pointless — plan ahead, a month or more before departure. The cost of processing usually runs to hundreds of dollars per day of flying, and an important nuance: if the weather does not allow filming on the appointed day, the permit date generally cannot be moved — the money and time are wasted.
Where flying is strictly forbidden
Flights are prohibited over military facilities, government buildings, embassies, airports and border areas, as well as over cities and crowds of people. There is an official map of prohibited (marked red) and restricted (yellow) zones — and the ban applies even where there are no warning signs on the spot. Separately, many hotels and tourist attractions impose their own drone ban regardless of state rules — check the rules of the specific place before taking the aircraft out.
Fines for violations
- Filming without a permit: 8–9 million dong.
- Violating the terms of an issued permit (wrong zone, wrong date): 9–12 million dong.
- Flying without the required permit at all: 20–30 million dong, with possible confiscation of the drone.
What happens at customs on arrival
Bringing a drone into Vietnam is formally allowed, but carry it in your hand luggage rather than checked baggage — it is easier to get through a possible inspection that way. Customs officers may ask about the purpose of bringing it in, and in some cases the aircraft may be temporarily taken into storage until you leave the country, especially if you have no documents explaining the purpose of import. If you already have a flight permit, it makes sense to carry its Vietnamese translation — this noticeably eases the conversation with border and customs officers.
Practical checklist
- For drones of 250 g and above a Ministry of Defence permit is mandatory — arrange it through a local sponsor several weeks before the trip.
- For drones under 250 g the law is not clear — it is safer to assume a permit is needed for them too.
- Check prohibited and restricted zones on the official map — the ban applies even without signs on site.
- Carry the drone in hand luggage, not checked baggage, and bring a Vietnamese translation of the permit if you have one.
- Fines for violations run from 8 to 30 million dong, up to confiscation of the equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Can I fly a small drone in Vietnam without a permit?
Formally Decree No. 288/2025 exempts drones under 250 g from a permit outside restricted zones, but interpretations differ — it is safer to assume a permit is needed for any weight.
How long does it take to get a flight permit?
Several weeks — the application must be submitted in advance through a local sponsor, and you should not count on quick processing just before the trip.
What happens if I take off without a permit?
A fine of 8 to 30 million dong depending on the nature of the violation, with possible confiscation of the drone.
Will the drone be taken at customs on arrival?
Not necessarily, but it is possible, especially without documents explaining the purpose of import — carry the aircraft in hand luggage and be ready to answer questions.
What next
See the general guide to safety in Vietnam and sort out the visa rules before your trip.
Drone flight rules in Vietnam continue to be clarified — before your trip, check the current zone map and requirements with official sources.
