Hi All

I am going to Vietnam shortly for a holiday and would love to take my Mavic Air with me. However, I have read so many different articles on whether it is safe/permitted to take it with me. The travel consultant asked their local contacts in Vietnam, who said Drones are banned in Vietnam?
Does anyone have any expereinece of Vietnam or know the answer?

General concensus looks like they are banned and will be confiscated at the airport (where you should be able to get it back when you leave) why not contact your local embassy for a definitive answer?

I would hazard a guess if the 'local contacts' have said drones are banned, then they are more likely of 'restricted usage'. Why, I say that, I am sure (almost positive) a Vietnamese forum user posted the/she was having issues with activating his/her drone or complaining about flight distance.  Another reason I don't think the statement that drones are banned is accurate is Ho Chi Min City is home to one of the worlds biggest fixed wing UAV factories and has a flying club's dotted all over Vietnam.  

That having been said, I wouldn't risk taking your drone without having paperwork in hand prior to departure. Wouldn't want to see you posting "Help, stuck in a hell hole of a jail in Vietnam"  Good luck and hope it works out great for you.... it would be awesome footage.

Hi, Yes I contacted the UK Embassy a few times, but an yet to receive a reply

Thank you, sadly I think i will be leaving it at home. Naive of Vietnam - given what stunning scenery they have

I usually check here first:
https://www.uavsystemsinternational.com/drone-laws-by-country/
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/ ... 8.3128777500001&z=2

Vietnam laws according to UAV Systems:
https://www.uavsystemsinternatio ... vietnam-drone-laws/

And then you can always ask from local people who know how the real situation is :-)

i found this forum, its form mid 2017 but probably still relevant

https://www.hugoleenhardt.com/si ... -into-any-problems-

Andy, I suggest that you try to contact the local authorities or check the drone regulation at https://www.dji.com/flysafe?site=brandsite&from=footer

DJI Thor Posted at 2018-3-26 03:59
Andy, I suggest that you try to contact the local authorities or check the drone regulation at https://www.dji.com/flysafe?site=brandsite&from=footer

Thank you for your help

Roundhouse_ Posted at 2018-3-26 01:14
i found this forum, its form mid 2017 but probably still relevant

https://www.hugoleenhardt.com/single-post/How-to-fly-your-drone-in-Vietnam---and-not-run-into-any-problems-

will do thank you

AM0 Posted at 2018-3-26 01:05
I usually check here first:
https://www.uavsystemsinternational.com/drone-laws-by-country/
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/ ... 8.3128777500001&z=2

Thank you

will do

AM0 Posted at 2018-3-26 01:05
I usually check here first:
https://www.uavsystemsinternational.com/drone-laws-by-country/
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/ ... 8.3128777500001&z=2

HI

The UAV Systems page i have seen before and previously applied to get a permit, but have never received a reply from them?

I took Mavic Pro to Vietnam in January. I flew in to Hanoi, then from Danang to Ho Chi Minh, and I left Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh by plane. No one actually even checked my luggage, I think the confiscations were happening during the APEC to those who flew to Danang airport...

I was flying in remote places without people around and as usual in this region no problems. I saw more people on the route with drones who were not so conspicuous about it... Don't fly above military bases and nearby the borders.

Andyfin1 Posted at 2018-3-26 04:24
HI

The UAV Systems page i have seen before and previously applied to get a permit, but have never received a reply from them?

Don't know about UAV Systems service, never used it. They just have some information about the laws and from there you can search forward.

I also found these articles about the subject:
https://www.filminginvietnam.com/about-filming-in-vietnam
https://drone-traveller.com/drone-laws-vietnam/

fans61c2db80 Posted at 2018-3-26 07:31
I took Mavic Pro to Vietnam in January. I flew in to Hanoi, then from Danang to Ho Chi Minh, and I left Vietnam from Ho Chi Minh by plane. No one actually even checked my luggage, I think the confiscations were happening during the APEC to those who flew to Danang airport...

I was flying in remote places without people around and as usual in this region no problems. I saw more people on the route with drones who were not so conspicuous about it... Don't fly above military bases and nearby the borders.

Morning
Where did you fly from in the UK and where to in Vietnam. I kinda think the magic air is so small none will notice, but so many conflicting opinions its difficult to know what to do, no city filming on my part- want it for the countryside and too long bay etc

The two officcial legal regulations regarding UAV flight in Vietnam are:

Decree 36/2008/ND-CP (http://duytho.com/resources/lega ... -vbpl-sp-19294.html) of March 28th, 2008
and
Decree 79/2011/NĐ-CP (https://thuvienphapluat.vn/van-b ... y-khong-128721.aspx)

ammending it.

Baseline: There seems to be no "general flight permit" and all flights need to be permitted by the Operations Bureau of the General Command (MoD). My vietnamese contacts seem to confirm unless you plan a commercial shoot the barrier is too high to get a permit (also see hugo leenhards post).
Above decrees require submission of a flight plan and submitting the application a minimum of 7 days prior to the planned flight.
I also found this list of dos and donts on flycompro.vn, unfortunately only in vietnamese and seemingly mixing legal requirements (like a 120m ceiling?) with general advice (get a solid GPS lock first!)
(http://flycampro.vn/blogs/huong- ... -nen-de-bay-an-toan)

Also, using an info app such as Airmap can be very helpful in identifying critical areas.
Looking at Da Nang, it is obvious there is a special air control zone around the entire center of Vietnam, which might explain the confiscations going on there.
https://app.airmap.io/geo?16.284687,107.181546,7.416575z
HTH

I'm going to fly to Vietnam in a month and I was sure I was gonna bring my MA there. Now I don't know what to do...

Really want to bring it there but I'm scared of getting my unit confiscated. Some people say they didn't have trouble and others say the opposite. Not sure what should I do

iCharlie17 Posted at 2018-6-5 02:07
I'm going to fly to Vietnam in a month and I was sure I was gonna bring my MA there. Now I don't know what to do...

Really want to bring it there but I'm scared of getting my unit confiscated. Some people say they didn't have trouble and others say the opposite. Not sure what should I do

Same situation here! Am heading to HCM city and Ha Long bay and really want to take good shots of the bay.

I'm curious to know what you guys eventually did. Did you take it with you? Did you get into any problems? I'm asking this because I bought my Mavic 2 Pro yesterday and want to take it with me to Hanoi at the end of the month. Information about if it's legal or not is really vague on the internet.

Take it with you!!
I flew into Hanoi just a few days ago.
No problems what so ever.
Just be a responsible pilot.

I am living in HCMC, if you are about to fly, so be away from the center, crowded and fly to from 70m or above. Several places have some kind of brakes signal devices also be aware. If you have time so we can have a cool beer.
Remember, leave your drone without any propellers, battery on one package, and the rest in other. Good luck.

Optimus_Prime Posted at 11-14 03:07
I am living in HCMC, if you are about to fly, so be away from the center, crowded and fly to from 70m or above. Several places have some kind of brakes signal devices also be aware. If you have time so we can have a cool beer.
Remember, leave your drone without any propellers, battery on one package, and the rest in other. Good luck.

Good to know mate

A CW Posted at 11-14 05:11
Good to know mate

Hi, how are you? Hope you are doing well. I am looking forward to meet any pilot here travel to Vietnam, HCMC, i love to invite you a cool beer. Best wishes to you and all.

Optimus_Prime Posted at 11-15 00:23
Hi, how are you? Hope you are doing well. I am looking forward to meet any pilot here travel to Vietnam, HCMC, i love to invite you a cool beer. Best wishes to you and all.

Very well thank you mate! Hope you are doing well too. If I ever come to Vietnam I will definitely hook up for several beers.

Hey guys, we were in the same troubles so made some research.. and well felt good to sum it up here, hope this helps.

I read all the post before going to Vietnam two weeks ago, IMO, a lot of yes, no misleading information. I was nervous as my drone only arrived a few days before I left.
I arrived into Hanoi, no issues at all.
I couldn't fly in Sa Pa and Fansipan because of low cloud, but did manage to fly in  Tam Coc. I flew from a car park, away from crowds and flew responsibility. No issues from any officialdom, in fact, they were interested in seeing the footage.,

Shot over Tam Coc and from the unusual rowing boats....
At just under 10 min, it is a bit long, but IMO, well worth seeing the amazing scenery.... & those feet rowers.. Try to watch it to the end.

djiuser_nFVfb9Q5u8Bx Posted at 11-13 20:10
Take it with you!!
I flew into Hanoi just a few days ago.
No problems what so ever.

I was wondering would it matter if I kept my DJI spark in the box it came with or could I just put it in a zip lock bag when I fly into Hanoi. The box is taking up too much space. Thanks!

MrSmileygc Posted at 11-23 11:28
I read all the post before going to Vietnam two weeks ago, IMO, a lot of yes, no misleading information. I was nervous as my drone only arrived a few days before I left.
I arrived into Hanoi, no issues at all.
I couldn't fly in Sa Pa and Fansipan because of low cloud, but did manage to fly in  Tam Coc. I flew from a car park, away from crowds and flew responsibility. No issues from any officialdom, in fact, they were interested in seeing the footage.,

Flying into Hanoi in a few days and was wondering if the way the drone is packed matters? The box that my dji spark comes in is taking too much room. Do you think I can just put it in a zip lock bag?

I had a great time flying in Vietnam early last year, here's a cool vid I've put together..



Thing is, there are quite a few rules to look after.. after reading them all, I've summed them up here https://www.drone-made.com/blog/vietnam-drone-laws for us.
Fly safe, fly responsibly.. hope this helps!

Optimus_Prime Posted at 2018-11-15 00:23
Hi, how are you? Hope you are doing well. I am looking forward to meet any pilot here travel to Vietnam, HCMC, i love to invite you a cool beer. Best wishes to you and all.

I'm heading to Vietnam in June, would love to meet up for a beer. Are you Viet?

Mai Sasha Posted at 4-20 00:27
I'm heading to Vietnam in June, would love to meet up for a beer. Are you Viet?

Hi there, very nice to meet you. When you come please ler me know. I am living in HCMC and we will have cool beer!!

Hello we are from FlycamPro, with 12 years of experience as a distributor of DJI productsin Vietnam. Our company is ready toassist foreigners to bring drone to Vietnam and use them by supporting free orpaid legal procedures depending on the purpose of using drones. In addition, wealso provide emergency assistance in case of crashing into the ground, helpingthe drone quickly fly back. We are FlycamPro, very pleased to serve foreignerscoming to Vietnam to use drones. Thank You and Best Regards www.flycampro.vn flycamprovietnam@gmail.com

I have been traveling Vietnam, Thailand, Laos and other countries in SEA for the past months.
Whereas I had a permit for Thailand, Vietnam was a whole different thing. I did not receive any answers to my applications. Same thing is being reported from this guy https://www.drohnen-vergleich.de/drohne-vietnam/. It is in German, if you cannot understand it, use the Google translate version. I think it is worth reading when thinking about going there.

BR
Camo

Hi, you can try contacting these guys at https://www.2bigproduction.com/ they will help you to check all the necessary regulations needed to fly drones in Vietnam