Flying drones in Ho Chi Minh City cannot be based solely on the names of wards and communes. No-fly zones and restricted airspace are defined by location, coordinates, radius, altitude, and in some cases, by the duration of their application. A control boundary may cover only a portion of an administrative area, or it may extend across multiple wards and communes.
This article updates how to identify areas requiring special attention when using drones in Ho Chi Minh City according to the current administrative boundaries in 2026, and also guides operators to check official maps before each flight. The content is for informational purposes only and does not replace coordinate lookup results or approval from competent authorities.
Is there an official list of "wards/communes where drone flights are prohibited"?
The term "no-fly zone" is convenient for searching, but it doesn't accurately reflect how airspace is managed. Decision 18/2020/QD-TTg regulates the establishment of no-fly zones and restricted airspace for unmanned aircraft and ultralight aircraft. These zones are defined by specific geographical boundaries, rather than being applied uniformly to an entire administrative unit.
Therefore, online lists of ward and commune names should not be considered the sole basis for deciding when to take off. A safer approach is to accurately determine the flight point and compare it with the information available online. Map of no-fly zones and restricted airspace issued by the Ministry of Defense., Then, check the registration, licensing, and flight notification requirements according to applicable regulations.
Distinguishing between no-fly zones and restricted airspace zones.
No-fly zone
This is an area where the flight of drones, flycams, or other unmanned aerial vehicles is prohibited, except in special cases as decided by the competent authority. These zones are typically associated with defense facilities, military zones, particularly important targets, airport areas, and locations requiring security and safety protection.
Restricted airspace
This is an area where conditions may apply regarding time, altitude, flight path, type of vehicle, or purpose of operation. Being in a restricted area does not mean users are free to take off; flights must still meet all corresponding procedures and conditions.
In addition to regularly announced zones, competent authorities may also establish temporary no-fly or restricted areas to serve political events, national defense, security, festivals, aviation activities, or emergency situations. Therefore, inspection results from a previous flight should not be used as a default for a subsequent flight.
Wards and communes in Ho Chi Minh City need to prioritize inspections before drone flights.
The list below is Areas that need priority for searching because they are located near airports, aviation facilities, administrative centers, seaports, military zones, or other sensitive locations. This does not mean that the entire area of these wards and communes is no-fly zone.
| Areas requiring inspection | Common risks associated with airspace control | Pre-flight recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| Tan Son Nhat area: Tan Son ward, Tan Son Nhat ward, Tan Son Hoa ward and neighboring wards | Regarding Tan Son Nhat Airport, the runway and the aviation safety zone. | Do not take off based solely on altitude limits in the control app; you must check the coordinates on an official map. |
| Central area: Saigon, Ben Thanh, Tan Dinh wards and adjacent areas | It is a place where many agencies and targets requiring protection are concentrated, and often hosts large-scale events. | Check both the fixed area and any temporary flight restrictions or prohibitions at the time of your planned return. |
| Vung Tau area: Vung Tau ward, Tam Thang, Rach Dua, Phuoc Thang and surrounding areas | Vung Tau Airport, oil and gas facilities, a seaport, and a defense zone are located there. | Check each flight path individually; do not assume that coastal or out-of-residential locations are always permitted for flying. |
| Con Dao Special Economic Zone | Con Dao Island has Con Dao Airport, civilian flight routes, a sea and island area, and targets that need protection. | Verify coordinates, time, altitude, and procedures before every flight. |
| Can Gio area – coastal region: Can Gio commune, Binh Khanh, An Thoi Dong, Thanh An and surrounding areas | There are coastal areas, estuaries, maritime infrastructure, and areas that may be subject to specialized control. | Do not automatically assume sparsely populated areas are free airspace; check the map and relevant regulations. |
| Areas containing critical military, security, energy, or infrastructure facilities. throughout Ho Chi Minh City | The protected boundary may not be indicated by a name familiar to the local people. | Look up the location using precise coordinates and work with the site management unit when organizing filming. |
Note: A ward not listed in the table above may still contain or intersect with a no-fly zone or restricted airspace. Conversely, the listing of a ward does not mean the entire area is prohibited. The final conclusion must be based on the specific flight location and official data at the time of implementation.
Why does Ho Chi Minh City need to be reviewed according to its new administrative boundaries?
Following the administrative reorganization in 2025, Ho Chi Minh City has a larger area and a new system of ward and commune names. Many of the old guidelines still use the pre-reorganization district, county, or ward names, making it difficult for operators to correctly identify current locations.
When reading an old warning, users should convert the address to the current ward or commune but retain the original coordinates for comparison. For drones, coordinates are always more valuable in practice than administrative unit names, especially in border areas.
How to check a drone flight location in Ho Chi Minh City
- Get the exact coordinates: Determine the takeoff point, the area the drone is expected to travel in, and the maximum altitude. Don't just check the operator's address.
- Open the official map: Access the Ministry of Defence's no-fly zone/restricted airspace portal and locate the intended operational area.
- Reading data layers: Distinguish between no-fly zones, restricted airspace, and their respective areas of influence, rather than simply looking at the displayed colors.
- Check notifications periodically: Review any temporary bans or restrictions related to events, aviation activities, and local security.
- Determine legal obligations: Check vehicle registration requirements, operator qualifications, and flight permits or notifications in accordance with the People's Air Defense Law 2024 and Decree 288/2025/ND-CP.
- Only take off when all necessary conditions are met. The manufacturer's app allowing unlocking or takeoff does not mean the flight is legal in Vietnam.
Checklist for individuals and drone crews
- Identify the person primarily responsible for the flight.
- Specify the purpose of the filming, the time, coordinates, operating radius, and expected altitude.
- Check the legal status of the vehicle and the operator.
- Check for prohibited or restricted areas and temporary notices immediately before the flight date.
- Obtain approval from the site, construction site, or property owner when necessary.
- Establish a safe zone underground; avoid crowds, traffic, and electrical installations.
- Monitor weather, control signals, battery levels, and emergency landing plans.
- Save the records, documents, and photos of the search results for review purposes.
What should you keep in mind when filming a construction site with a drone?
Drones are commonly used to document progress, survey the site, and produce project marketing materials. However, obtaining permission from the investor or site management only secures access to the site; it does not automatically replace the requirement for airspace management.
The crew should develop a flight plan along with a site safety plan: zoning the area below, identifying lookouts, avoiding crane towers and power lines, coordinating schedules with the safety department, and checking the airspace before each deployment. For sites near airports, ports, military facilities, or administrative centers, additional time should be allocated for procedural matters.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are drones under 250g allowed to fly freely in Ho Chi Minh City?
This should not be interpreted that way. The amount of equipment may affect some management requirements, but it does not invalidate no-fly zones, restricted airspace, or security and safety requirements at a specific location.
If the DJI app doesn't flag a restricted area, is it still okay to fly?
The manufacturer's application cannot be used as the sole legal basis. The manufacturer's technical database and the regulations governing airspace in Vietnam are two different systems.
Is it permissible to stand outside the restricted area but allow a drone to fly inside?
No. The area to consider is the entire operating area of the vehicle, not just where the operator stands or the takeoff point.
Does the list in this article replace a flight permit?
No. The map only helps the reader identify areas that need priority inspection. Operators must still follow the procedures applicable to the specific equipment, purpose, and flight plan.
Conclude
When using drones in Ho Chi Minh City, the important question isn't just "is this ward a no-fly zone?", but "which jurisdiction does the planned flight coordinates, altitude, and time fall under?". Check the Ministry of Defense map, review current announcements, and complete all necessary procedures before launching the device into the air.
You can find more updates regarding regulations, technology, and construction activities on this page. DATA Cons News.
References
- Decision 18/2020/QD-TTg on establishing no-fly zones and restricted flight zones for unmanned aircraft and ultralight aircraft.
- Law on People's Air Defense No. 49/2024/QH15.
- Decree 288/2025/ND-CP regulates the management of unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles.
- The map of no-fly zones and restricted airspace is published by the Ministry of National Defence at cambay.mod.gov.vn.
- Resolution 1685/NQ-UBTVQH15 on the reorganization of commune-level administrative units in Ho Chi Minh City by 2025.
