Photo courtesy of VN Express

Da Nang authorities penalized a German tourist, Oleksandr Patlan, for flying a drone without permission near Ong Temple on Thursday. Spotted by the An Hai Ward Military Command, Patlan's drone was confiscated after being operated without approval. This enforcement reflects the city's intensified efforts to prevent unauthorized UAV activity.

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In recent times, the Da Nang Military Command has increased 24/7 patrols to monitor drone activity and ensure compliance with local regulations. This incident mirrors a previous case on February 24, where a resident operated a drone in a restricted zone along Nguyen Tat Thanh beach. The city is keen on maintaining security, particularly near sensitive areas.

Vietnamese regulations impose fines ranging from VND30-40 million (US$1,145-1,527) for flying drones near airports without authorization, in addition to confiscation of the device. This strict approach highlights the importance of securing permission for drone operations to avoid legal consequences.

Moving forward, Da Nang is expected to continue rigorous monitoring to curb unauthorized drone usage. The municipal Military Command's ongoing efforts aim to uphold city regulations, with further investigations underway in Patlan's case.

Key Takeaways

• Da Nang penalizes a German tourist for unauthorized drone use.

• Increased patrols reflect the city’s efforts to enforce UAV regulation.

• Unauthorized drone flights near airports can result in hefty fines.

Join the discussion?

  Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 27 Feb 2026

17 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

Vietnamese regulations impose fines ranging from VND30-40 million (US$1,145-1,527) for flying drones near airports without authorization, in addition to confiscation of the device.

Wonder if this is guy that caused the recent disruption (see link). If so I hope every airline and every passenger that suffered any disruption sues his ass for his stupidity.

https://vietnamnet.vn/en/illegal-drone-sightings-cause-delays-diversions-at-da-nang-airport-2493083.html