Few know that the recent export deal of 5,000 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) by a Vietnamese enterprise to South Korea marks the end of a ten-year journey filled with failures, grit, and unwavering determination.

On August 12, for the first time, a Vietnamese enterprise secured an order to export 5,000 UAVs to South Korea. Mastery of UAV technology has opened a new chapter for Vietnam in the high-tech arena.

A memorandum of understanding was signed between Vietnam’s CT Group and a rising South Korean drone tech firm during the Vietnam-Korea Economic Forum in Seoul. The event was attended by General Secretary To Lam and South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min Seok.

This marks a milestone in Vietnam’s technology history. The ability to master all core technologies in the UAV sector demonstrates the strategic role of Vietnamese enterprises on the global tech map.

CT Group, a previously low-profile name in the tech community, surprised many with its landmark export deal. The obvious question: Who is CT Group, and how did they get here?

While most Vietnamese businesses focused on traditional industries, CT Group recognized early the potential of UAVs as part of the future. As early as 2016–2017, the company began crafting a drone development strategy at a time when the concept was still foreign in Vietnam.

In 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, CT Group established Dr One, a name expressing its dream to become a leading force in UAV innovation. However, R&D is inherently expensive and slow with high risks. While CT Group pushed ahead with deep tech development, many shareholders argued for a less risky route: becoming a distributor.

Financial strain and the pandemic ultimately led to the shutdown of Dr One.

Undeterred, the research team pivoted to military and industrial UAVs, targeting the Middle East. In 2022–2023, they showcased their products to a senior Arab commander. However, the pace of innovation lagged behind market demands, especially in a region crowded with top-tier global drone players.

Investment vanished like water in the desert. Even loyal supporters gave up. The new venture, CT AirUAV, collapsed too, leaving deep wounds.

When all seemed lost, CT Group's leadership made a pivotal decision: to persist, and to make every painful lesson count. The team came to a critical realization  -  they had to master core technologies and accelerate R&D faster than the market changed.

CT UAV was born from that resolve. Not just a rebrand, the firm implemented a new strategy with robust R&D investment and expanded international collaboration.

Between 2024 and 2025, the company made a spectacular comeback, releasing a series of highly competitive UAV models. With self-developed technology and the fastest R&D cycle in the market, CT UAV became a standout in global drone manufacturing. The 5,000-UAV export milestone is not just a business deal, but global recognition of a decade-long commitment to innovation.

Today, CT UAV is no longer “alone in the desert.” The company is now calling on global partners to join its vision of bringing Vietnamese UAVs to markets worldwide  -  in agriculture, industry, and beyond.

CT UAV’s story proves that tech startups in Vietnam can thrive not only in software or digital platforms, but in “hard” industries requiring intellect, resilience, and grit.

This success signals the emergence of a real Vietnamese UAV industry, placing Vietnam on the global tech stage  -  once thought out of reach.

“The rocky road to UAVs” was anything but easy. But every stumble helped shape a company resilient enough to rise and sprint forward. Today, CT UAV not only carries the ambitions of a single corporation, but also the hopes of a nation determined to master and export cutting-edge technology.

Thai Khang