Сan i bring my drone to vietnam?

[Gergely]

Take your drone to Vietnam. The Vietnamese say "flycam." Despite the laws on paper, Vietnam is perhaps the most drone-friendly country I regularly travel to. I've never filled out a drone-related document in Vietnam.

Starting in 2014, I've always had a drone with me when I traveled, starting with my Phantom 2 Vision+. I've visited Vietnam once or twice per year, often with multiple entries at Saigon or Hanoi.

Back around 2015, there was talk about the customs confiscating drones at Danang. I've never flown internationally into Danang but have brought drones with me numerous times on domestic flights there.

From 2017 up until the pandemic in 2020, I lived in Vietnam about 6 months out of every year. Prior to that, I'd travel there at least once per year, often more.

Places I've flown: Hanoi, Saigon, Halong Bay, Dien Bien Phu, Khe Sanh, Ninh Binh, Buon Ma Thuot, Dalat, Danang, Hoi An, Vung Tau, Phu Quoc, Can Tho, Hue, Ban Gioc, and more I've probably forgotten.

My next trip to VN is in 2 weeks. I wouldn't think about going without a flycam.

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Hey there, I'm about to fly to Vietnam, landing in Hanoi in 3 weeks. Did you encounter any issue since your last visit to VN?

And do you really just ignore the required paperworks & permits and never had any issues with authorities?

Thanks in advance!

Gergely

 

[John Gowland]

It is so difficult to comply with all the rules you have to apply every time you fly. Just be sensible and take care you offend no one and you will be fine. One caveat I would never go to Ho Chi Minh City again in the monsoon period. There is little wind and the city gets very very hot out of the city it's ok. I would not be comfortable flying a loud drone the mini four pro is very quiet and I feel fine with that.

 

[Clipper707]

Hey there, I'm about to fly to Vietnam, landing in Hanoi in 3 weeks. Did you encounter any issue since your last visit to VN?

And do you really just ignore the required paperworks & permits and never had any issues with authorities?

Thanks in advance!

Gergely

My last visit was in December 2023 and I flew in and out of Saigon with no issues. I flew my Mini 3 Pro at Can Tho and Mui Ne. Yes, I ignore the required paperwork and permits.

I can't say I've never had issues with the authorities. In 2016, my Phantom 3 was confiscated in Vung Tau by soldiers from the People's Army of Vietnam. I was not flying in a sensitive area at the time, but in hindsight, I probably shouldn't have flown from the same spot on the waterfront two days in a row. In my efforts to get it back, I had to visit a Vietnamese Army base and this was interesting to me as a US Marine veteran. My Phantom was returned to me 2 weeks later. This was in 8 years ago and I'm sure the laws have changed since then and confess I really don't know much about laws or jurisdictions there.

I've had temporary confiscations in Myanmar and Laos as well but never an actual, permanent confiscation. Malaysian police in Kota Kinabalu boarded my boat and made me extract the SD card from my Mavic and delete the videos and photos.

My suggestion: carry a few crisp $100 bills USD. I always do, but have never had to use them.

 

[Nvfireman]

Hi bro I and my family are living in Da nang like 1 month already, we can fly together if come here

I've read thru all the posts and it appears that if you fly into Hanoi or HCM there isn't any real problems but Da Nang seems to be the sticky spot especially coming in internationally. I am going into Da Nang November 6th from Manila, Philippines and have a mini 3 pro. I only plan on being in country for 3 days then going to Thailand.
What should I expect? Get confiscated, slip a bribe, or no problems?

 

[alessio_cv]

Đề xuất người dùng flycam phải có chứng chỉ, xin phép trước mỗi lần bay

Đề xuất người dùng flycam phải có chứng chỉ, xin phép trước mỗi lần bay

www.vietnam.vn

Hi everyone, I just discovered this Vietnamese site which seems official and in a section of the article it says that drones under 0.25kg are exempt from licensing

 

[MS Coast]

Đề xuất người dùng flycam phải có chứng chỉ, xin phép trước mỗi lần bay

Đề xuất người dùng flycam phải có chứng chỉ, xin phép trước mỗi lần bay

www.vietnam.vn

Hi everyone, I just discovered this Vietnamese site which seems official and in a section of the article it says that drones under 0.25kg are exempt from licensing

It says that drones weighing less than 0.25 kg are exempt from "flight licensing." The article says that drone operators must be trained and certified and that permission for each flight is required. It sounds like training and certification are still required for lightweight drones.

"The bill also notes that unmanned aircraft serving entertainment with a maximum takeoff weight of less than 0,25 kg operating outside no-fly areas or restricted flight areas are exempt from flight licensing."

"The person directly controlling unmanned aircraft or ultra-light aircraft must be 18 years of age or older; Be trained in aviation knowledge and certified according to Government regulations; "

 

[alessio_cv]

I don't understand if by entertainment they perhaps mean drones without cameras

It says that drones weighing less than 0.25 kg are exempt from "flight licensing." The article says that drone operators must be trained and certified and that permission for each flight is required. It sounds like training and certification are still required for lightweight drones.

"The bill also notes that unmanned aircraft serving entertainment with a maximum takeoff weight of less than 0,25 kg operating outside no-fly areas or restricted flight areas are exempt from flight licensing."

"The person directly controlling unmanned aircraft or ultra-light aircraft must be 18 years of age or older; Be trained in aviation knowledge and certified according to Government regulations; "

 

[MS Coast]

I don't understand if by entertainment they perhaps mean drones without cameras

As I recall, cameras were not mentioned anywhere, so it's likely they mean recreational or non-commercial.

 

[Swamidoc]

I am flying into Singapore for two days before continuing on to Vietnam. I was planning on flying my Mavic 2 in Vietnam, especially out in the countryside. I was not planning on flying in Singapore. Will I have problems taking my drone through customs in Singapore?

 

[Clipper707]

You should be fine. Singapore is the first country to which I brought a drone. (P2V+ back in 2014.) The last time I brought a drone through Singapore was my Mini 3 Pro in May 2023.

Still haven't ever flown there though.

 

[pearsonnel]

I was sure, for some reason, that Singapore completely forbids drones. I just assumed it was a strict no-fly zone, but now I’m second-guessing that. Since I’ll be traveling there in April, I figured I should double-check the regulations to avoid any issues. While planning my trip, I ended up reading some of the travelocity reviews on different destinations, and that’s when I came across their package tours for Vietnam. They sounded really appealing, and after seeing how highly recommended they were, I decided to extend my trip and visit Vietnam as well. It looks like an amazing place to explore, and I’m excited to experience both destinations

 

[Cafguy]

I was sure, for some reason, that Singapore completely forbids drones.

You can fly a Drone in Singapore You cannot fly a Drone for any reason on Sentosa. That is the only restriction I know of Visit the Vietnamese Governments website for clarity.
This is as of todays date.