Flying a Drone in Vietnam in 2026: The Under-250 g Myth, Permits, and What Tourists Get Wrong
Vietnam's drone rules changed with Decree 288/2025 and new fines from December 2025. What a sub-250 g drone can and can't do, when you need a flight permit and a Vietnamese sponsor, the pilot licence from July 2026, and the fines.
Every few days someone in a Vietnamese drone group asks the same thing: "I'm flying a Mini to Hà Giang next week, do I really need a permit?" The replies split into two camps: "nobody checks" and "don't risk it". Neither tells you what the law actually says.
The rules were rewritten in late 2025, and most English guides still quote the old ones. Here is the current picture, as far as I can piece it together from the decree and the official summaries, checked in October 2026.
The three rules that matter
Drones in Vietnam now sit under Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, in force since 5 November 2025. Three parts of it decide what you can do:
A flight permit. The Ministry of National Defence issues permits for drone flights in Vietnamese airspace. A permit covers one specific purpose, place and time; it is not a pass for your whole trip.
A pilot licence. From 1 July 2026, anyone flying a drone of 0.25 kg or more needs a licence from the Ministry of Defence. Class A covers drones from 0.25 kg up to 2 kg flown within sight; Class B covers 2 kg and above, or flights beyond visual range. The pilot must be at least 18 unless the drone is under 0.25 kg.
Registration. Drones are registered with the police. Since 20 July 2026, foreigners who live in Vietnam register theirs at the provincial police department under Circular 78/2026/TT-BCA, and the drone gets an electronic tag. The dossier needs a passport plus a permanent or temporary residence card, proof of ownership and an inspection appointment, so it is not something a two-week visitor can do.
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The under-250 g myth
The most common belief among travellers is that a DJI Mini or anything else under 250 g is "exempt". It is partly true. A drone under 0.25 kg flown for fun, outside prohibited and restricted areas, does not need a flight permit. But you are still meant to notify the local military command and police, and the exemption disappears the moment you are inside a restricted zone. It is an exemption from the flight permit only; the summaries do not say a light drone is exempt from everything else, so do not read it as "no rules apply".
The second condition is the one people skip. Restricted areas cover airports and their approach paths, military sites, border areas, government buildings and other security-sensitive places. In Hanoi, a large part of the inner city falls inside them. A question posted in a Vietnamese drone group this week is typical: the asker's home is 20 km from any border post or military site, yet shows as a red zone, apparently because a local government office is nearby. On days with major events, extra bans are announced; Hanoi banned all drone flights from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on the 15 March 2026 election day.
Put plainly: under 250 g, in open countryside away from anything official, for personal use, you are on reasonable ground. In a city centre, near an airport, or anywhere near a border, you are not, whatever the drone weighs.
If your drone is over 250 g
For a tourist this is where it gets hard. A foreigner applying for a flight permit needs a guarantee from a Vietnamese agency, organisation or individual. The application goes in at least 7 days before the flight (12 days if it affects air routes or an airport), online through the National Public Service Portal, by post or in person, and the decision takes up to 5 working days. You also need the pilot licence from July 2026.
In practice, a tourist with a Mavic-class drone has two realistic options: book a local production company or tour operator that handles permits as part of a paid shoot, or leave the drone at home. My own view is that the second is the better choice for almost everyone on holiday. Vietnam's landscapes look just as good from a hilltop, and a confiscated drone ends the trip's photography anyway.
What happens if you fly without permission
Fines are set by Decree 282/2025/ND-CP, in force since 15 December 2025. As summarised by Hanoi police in June 2026:
| Violation | Fine for an individual |
|---|---|
| Flying without registration or a permit, or outside the permitted area or time | 2–3 million VND |
| Aerial filming or photography without permission | 8–9 million VND |
| Organising or running unauthorised flight operations | 20–30 million VND |
| Interfering with aviation or endangering other aircraft | 30–40 million VND |
The drone can also be confiscated, and serious cases, such as flying into an airport area, can become criminal matters. In February 2026 a drone that entered Da Nang airport's airspace was reported in the national press as a possible criminal case.
Bringing a drone through the airport
Carrying a drone in your luggage is not banned, but several travel guides report customs holding drones until departure, most often at Da Nang. Keep the receipt, pack batteries in your cabin bag as airlines require, and expect questions.
A sensible plan for a sub-250 g drone
- Decide where you want to fly before you arrive, and stay well away from airports, cities and borders.
- Ask your hotel or homestay host whether the area is restricted and who to notify; locals usually know which hills are fine and which are near something official.
- Fly low, briefly, away from people, and do not film military or government buildings.
- If anyone in uniform asks you to land, land.
FAQ
Is a DJI Mini legal to fly in Vietnam?
A drone under 0.25 kg used for personal recreation does not need a flight permit if you fly outside prohibited and restricted areas, but the rules still expect you to notify local military and police. Inside a restricted area you need a permit like any other drone.
Can a tourist get a drone permit in Vietnam?
Yes, but not alone. A foreign applicant needs a guarantee from a Vietnamese organisation or individual, and the application goes in at least 7 days before the flight. Most visitors do this through a local production or tour company.
Do I need a drone licence in Vietnam?
From 1 July 2026, pilots of drones of 0.25 kg or more need a licence issued by the Ministry of National Defence (Class A up to 2 kg within sight, Class B above that).
What is the fine for flying a drone without a permit in Vietnam?
Under Decree 282/2025, 2–3 million VND for flying without registration or a permit, 8–9 million VND for unauthorised aerial filming, and up to 40 million VND for endangering aviation, with possible confiscation.
Rules checked in October 2026 from official summaries of Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, Decree 282/2025/ND-CP and Circular 78/2026/TT-BCA. Drone rules change and are enforced differently by province, so confirm with the local authorities before you fly.
— John Le
Sources
- LuatVietnam: who issues drone flight permits from 5 November 2025
- LuatVietnam: drone flight permit procedure from 5 November 2025
- Vietnam Law Magazine: how foreign residents register and use drones
- VOV: drone fines of up to 40 million VND (June 2026)
- Tuoi Tre: drone entering Da Nang airport airspace (February 2026)
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John Le · Hanoi local · writes about everyday costs and life in Vietnam. Spotted an outdated price? Tell us and we will update it.
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