On August 12, media outlets reported on an “unmanned aerial vehicle incident that intruded into controlled airspace and disrupted flight operations at Tan Son Nhat International Airport.”

In response, the Permanent Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Public Security to take the lead and coordinate with ministries, agencies and local authorities to investigate and strictly handle, in accordance with the law, violations involving the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and other objects that have affected flight operations at airports and airfields in recent times.

He also called for the urgent study and immediate deployment of measures to counter the illegal use of drones in critical areas, no-fly zones, airports and airfields, with the aim of preventing similar incidents.

The Ministry of Public Security and relevant ministries and agencies were instructed to finalize the operating regulations of the National Committee on Aviation Security and Facilitation and propose convening a meeting of the committee at the earliest possible date.

The Ministry of National Defense was tasked with coordinating with ministries, agencies and local authorities to strengthen oversight of domestic facilities engaged in the research, design and production of unmanned aerial vehicles. It must also tighten the management and monitoring of drone use through licensing for both operators and aircraft.

The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister stressed the need to review ownership and require organizations and individuals possessing drones to declare them, with a target of ensuring that by 2030 all unmanned aerial vehicles in Vietnam have digital identification, electronic licensing and real-time journey monitoring.

The Government leader also instructed authorities to publicly disclose no-fly zones and restricted areas for unmanned aerial vehicles so that organizations and individuals owning such devices are aware of and comply with the rules.

Low-altitude airspace plan to be submitted to Politburo

The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance to lead coordination with other ministries, agencies and local authorities to strengthen controls over the import and temporary import for re-export of unmanned aerial vehicles.

He called for a review and further development of conditions and regulations governing the import and temporary import for re-export of drones, ensuring tighter management and traceability of their origins, types and intended uses, as well as security and safety issues arising during their operation.

The Ministry of Science and Technology was tasked with coordinating with relevant ministries and agencies to develop technical and technological standards for the manufacture, repair, maintenance and testing of unmanned aerial vehicles.

It was also asked to study regulations requiring drone systems to incorporate synchronized technological solutions for restricted areas and no-fly zones, enabling the devices to automatically prevent incursions into prohibited airspace.

The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister also instructed relevant agencies to continue finalizing the project on the “Exploitation, Governance and Protection of Low-Altitude Airspace” for submission to the Politburo for approval.

The Ministry of Construction was told to accelerate work on a decree on administrative penalties in the civil aviation sector and submit it to the Government. As part of this process, the ministry must carefully review provisions defining violations and penalties related to unauthorized drone flights to ensure they are practical, effective and suited to real-world conditions.

The Ministry of Construction was also instructed to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Public Security, the Ministry of National Defense and local authorities in preventing and handling illegal drone incursions into critical areas, no-fly zones, airports and airfields.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc also instructed provincial and municipal People’s Committees to fulfill their local state-management responsibilities and direct relevant agencies to step up inspections and reviews to identify organizations and individuals illegally manufacturing, trading, possessing or operating unmanned aerial vehicles, with strict action to be taken against violations.

Tran Thuong