Gov’t specifies prohibited zones for drones, ultra-light flying objects

These zones include:

1 - Defense work areas and military zones of special importance under the direct management and protection of the Ministry of National Defense.

The horizontal distance from a flying drone/ultra-light flying object to the above-mentioned areas must be no less than 500 meters, regardless of flight altitude.

2- Headquarter areas of the bodies of the State, the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, ministries and central agencies; headquarters of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee; headquarters of the provincial-level Party Committees, People’s Councils, People’s Committees; headquarters of foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices, and international organizations in Viet Nam.

The horizontal distance between a flying drone/ultra-light flying object and the aforesaid areas must be no less than 200 meters, regardless of flight altitude.

3- Security-defense areas, including storage areas, factories and other works that are important in terms of defense and security.

The horizontal distance from a flying drone/ultra-light flying object to the aforesaid areas must be no less than 500 meters, regardless of flight altitude.

4 – Around airports

Restricted areas

The Decision also specifies restricted areas for unmanned aerial vehicles and ultra-light flying objects:

1- Unmanned aerial vehicles and ultra-light flying objects shall not allowed to fly at the height of over 120 meters above the ground level

2- Over populated areas

3- Border areas:  Land border line between Viet Nam and China, land border line between Viet Nam and Laos, and land border line between Viet Nam and Cambodia.

4- Areas adjacent to forbidden zones of airports

Organization of flights of unmanned aerial vehicles and ultra-light flying objects shall have to meet requirements of the competent authorities.

Earlier in January this year, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc order tightening management of the unmanned aerial vehicles and ultra-light flying objects as they have developed quickly thanks to advancement of science and technology.

The technology may offered benefits to society but it should not affect national defense, social security and aviation safety.

Local authorities had uncovered cases of illegal use of drones and ultra-light flying objects without permissions in restricted and military areas.

According to the National Aviation Security Committee, two passenger planes at the Tan Son Nhat and Phu Quoc airports had crashed into what were believed to be small drones last year. These incidents seriously threatened aviation safety and security./.

By Quang Minh