On Lunar New Year's Day this year, drones near Da Nang's airport disrupted 17 flights. Five days later it happened again.

That's the backdrop for Decision 4167/QD-UBND, in which the city People's Committee set up four airspace zones for organizations, associations and clubs that fly unmanned aircraft, VietnamPlus reported on September 17.

The airport problem

From September 2025 to February 2026, drones were spotted 3 to 12 nautical miles from Da Nang International Airport at roughly 1,000 to 3,800 feet, according to a Civil Aviation Authority report cited by Bao Van Hoa. Dozens of flights were held, rerouted or diverted. On February 17, two incidents affected 17 flights, one diverted and 15 held. On February 22, two more incidents, one possibly a balloon, affected 18 flights, four of them diverted.

The Ministry of Construction said drone control near the airport hadn't been effective enough and asked police, the military and counter-terrorism committees to step up patrols and consider remote interdiction.

What the decision does

  • Four zones, real coordinates: the zones are defined in WGS-84 coordinates. The city Military Command, working with the police, will publish the detailed boundaries on the city's official portal. The reports we read didn't list them, so check the portal before you fly.
  • Permits for everything: all drone flights, including test flights, need a license from the competent authorities, and operators must follow its conditions.
  • Responsibility sits with the pilot: operators answer for safety in the air and on the ground.
  • Emergency shutdowns: the Military Command can temporarily restrict or ban flights in any zone for defense, security or flight-safety reasons.
  • Registration: police handle drone registration and checks on information security.

Drone delivery is the real goal

The zones are the first concrete step in a pilot scheme for a "low-altitude economy" in Da Nang to 2030, Bao Phap Luat reported. The pilot is planned for about 18 months, from late 2026 to early 2028, and aims to launch at least three low-altitude services, including drone delivery of goods, led by the Department of Science and Technology. Vice Chairman Ho Quang Buu called low-altitude space a new space for economic and social development.

What it means for you

If you fly a hobby drone, the message is clear: there are now places you are supposed to fly, and you still need permission to fly there. If you live near the airport, the city's priority is obvious after this year's Tet disruptions. If you're hoping for drone-delivered banh mi, the pilot runs into 2028, and it starts with paperwork.

Sources

This story was compiled by the Da Nang Voice news desk from the published sources listed above. Facts, figures and quotes are attributed to those sources; Da Nang Voice did not conduct interviews for it unless the text says so. Corrections are dated and noted at the top of the story. Read our corrections policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.