Vietnam requires a flight permit from the Ministry of Defence for drone flights, and that applies to tourists flying for fun as well as professionals. The application goes in weeks before the flight with technical details about the drone, so it doesn't fit a typical vacation. Many visitors fly small drones without a permit and are never stopped, but enforcement happens, and the risk includes confiscation and trouble with the police. The only fully legal route is the permit.
The permit
Vietnam treats airspace as a defense matter. To fly legally:
- Apply to the Ministry of Defence's air defense authority, at least about 14 days before the flight.
- Include an application form, the drone's technical specifications and photos, the flight area, times and altitude, and your passport details.
- Wait for approval, and carry it when you fly.
The process is in Vietnamese and usually handled through a local company. If you need aerial footage for work, hire a Vietnamese production company that handles permits. Rules in Vietnam have been updated in recent years, so ask the Vietnamese embassy for the current process before your trip.
Enforcement and customs
Reports from travelers range from no problems at all to drones held at the airport until departure. Police and military have stopped pilots near sensitive areas. A foreign pilot flying near a military site risks much more than a fine. Keep the drone in your carry-on, carry the receipt, and answer customs questions honestly.
Where not to fly
Even with a permit, stay well away from:
- Airports, including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, all close to their city centers
- Military bases and installations, common along the coast
- Government buildings, the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and border areas
- Crowds, markets and busy streets
Ha Long Bay, Hoi An and the north
Ha Long Bay is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with heavy boat traffic and its own management rules. Hoi An's old town is packed with people. The rice terraces of Sapa and Ha Giang are tempting, but they're near the Chinese border, a sensitive area. In all of these, a permit and local permission come first.
Should you bring a drone?
If you're set on flying, arrange the permit before you go. If not, consider leaving the drone at home and using a compact camera, or bring a very small drone and keep it packed unless you have approval.
- DJI Mini 4 Pro: 249 g, omnidirectional sensing.
- DJI Mini 5 Pro: 249 g, 1-inch sensor for misty karst scenes.
- DJI Neo: 135 g, quick clips where permitted.
Heat and humidity are hard on batteries; see drone battery care.
Rules current as of October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Compare Thailand and other neighbors in drone laws by country, and pack with traveling with a drone.
Related guides
- Drone laws in Argentina: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Aruba: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Australia: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Austria: flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Bali (Indonesia): flying there as a US tourist
- Drone laws in Barbados: flying there as a US tourist
Not sure which to pick?
Tell us what you'll fly and your budget. One of our drone pilots will reply with a recommendation.
Buying drones for a business, agency or store? Get wholesale pricing →
