Destination guide · Ministry of National Defence (Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, effective Nov 2025)

Flying a drone in Vietnam

HardBased on secondary sources, last reviewed 2026-06-12

Sub-250 g is newly legal without permits, but 250 g and above is a per-flight military-permit regime and a customs retention risk remains.

Status can change without notice — confirm with Ministry of National Defence (Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, effective Nov 2025) immediately before travel.

Decree 288/2025 is new (effective November 2025); enforcement practice is still settling.

Can a tourist register?

No. 250 g and above is effectively closed (import-licence plus Vietnamese-guarantor wall; historically USD 350-700/day via agents). Sub-250 g: nothing to register.

Key limits

RegistrationRequired from 250 g

Altitude limitNo general published limit

Test / trainingNot required

InsuranceUnclear

Sub-250 g recreational flying is exempt from flight permits (outside no-fly zones, VLOS) since Decree 288/2025. At 250 g and above: registration needs an import licence plus customs declaration, and every flight needs a Ministry of National Defence permit.

Customs & entry

Documented cases of customs temporarily retaining drones on entry when the intended use is unclear; the risk is lower post-Decree 288 but not zero.

Sources

Confidence: medium

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This is general information, not legal advice. Rules change — always verify with Ministry of National Defence (Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, effective Nov 2025) before flying. FlyCheck covers national rules only; local restrictions (airports, parks, cities) also apply. Enforcement varies by airport, officer, and week. Based on official advisories and traveler reports as of 2026-06-12. Penalties can include confiscation, fines, and in some countries criminal charges. When in doubt, leave the drone at home.