Photo courtesy of VN Express Da Nang authorities recently confiscated a drone from a Chinese tourist after it was flown without a permit along the city's coast. The incident, which occurred about 6 km from the international airport, is the latest in a series of unauthorized drone flights that have compelled Vietnam's military to initiate continuous patrols. Get today's headlines by email The tourist, aged 25, was intercepted on March 14 while operating a DJI Mavic 3 Pro near East Sea Park on Vo Nguyen Giap Street. Although officials confiscated the drone and examined its data, no images or videos were found. This case follows other unauthorized drone activities that have disrupted aviation operations in Da Nang. Earlier in March, a man was fined VND2.5 million ($95) and his drone was seized for flying without a permit near Lien Chieu Port. Similarly, on February 26, a German tourist had his drone taken away for operating it illegally at a nearby intersection. During the Lunar New Year holiday in February, six illegal drone incidents disrupted over 83 flights near Da Nang International Airport, leading to significant flight diversions. The severity of these disruptions led the Ministry of Construction to call for enhanced surveillance and enforcement by the Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Public Security, and local authorities. Da Nang's geographical challenge lies in its airport's location within the city, intersecting densely populated areas. The no-fly zone prevents drone operations within a 5 km radius of the airport and along a 15 km stretch of runway approaches. Recent reports from the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam noted multiple drone incursions from September 2025 to February 2026, posing risks to airport operations. In response, Da Nang's military command has deployed drone detection and suppression systems, established patrols, and equipped forces with anti-drone jamming technology. Vietnamese regulations impose fines ranging from VND30-40 million ($1,142-$1,523) for illegal drone flights, along with device confiscation. Foreign drone operators must seek permission from the defense ministry, a process requiring up to three weeks and a local Vietnamese guarantor, reported VN Express. Join the discussion? Adapted by ASEAN Now · VN Express · 17 Mar 2026
