People from 18 years old can control drones and flycams

On the morning of November 27, the National Assembly voted to pass the People's Air Defense Law, tightening many regulations on controlling unmanned aerial vehicles.

An unmanned aircraft is any aircraft that can fly without a pilot directly controlling it. In addition to drones, flycams, balloons, model aircraft, parachutes, kites (except for traditional kites) and similar devices are also subject to management.

All organizations and individuals wishing to use these means must apply for a license and comply with regulations on notification and flight coordination.

The direct pilot must be at least 18 years old, have civil capacity and a flight control license. Foreigners must be sponsored by a Vietnamese organization or individual.

The Minister of National Defense and the Minister of Public Security shall prescribe conditions for operators of unmanned aircraft and other specialized flying vehicles serving national defense and security tasks.

The competent authority may suspend the flight for reasons of national defense, security and flight safety or detect the flight without a license; the operator is not qualified to fly; the drone or flying vehicle is unregistered or not in accordance with the registration.

Aircraft will be restrained and temporarily detained if they fly illegally; fly into prohibited or restricted flight areas without permission; fail to comply with flight suspension requests; violate airport areas, airfields or areas adjacent to airports where civil or military aircraft operate.

Users of drones and other flying vehicles who propagate, incite, entice, distort, sabotage the Party and the State or commit other illegal acts; carry equipment, weapons, explosives, prohibited substances, or transport illegal goods will also be suppressed.

Building people's air defense

The Law stipulates the division of labor and close coordination between air defense forces and agencies, organizations, businesses and individuals in protecting airspace.

The people's air defense posture is built on the combined strength of the entire political system and the entire population to ensure national defense and security and sustainable development of the country. Air defense activities are carefully and regularly prepared, ready to respond to all situations.

Currently, the people's air defense force has been equipped with weapons with a range of over 5,000 m; equipped with air defense reconnaissance means capable of observing and detecting targets at different altitudes. Therefore, the people's air defense force is capable of participating in managing and protecting the airspace at altitudes below 5,000 m.

The focus of air defense will be on important target positions that need to be protected, the main direction of enemy air landings or land attacks.

The Law on People's Air Defense takes effect from July 1, 2025.