Vietnam is one of the strictest countries in Southeast Asia for drones. Practically every flight requires prior approval from the Ministry of Defense, spontaneous use like in many other destinations isn't legally provided for.
In principle, every drone flight in Vietnam requires prior approval, regardless of weight. An exception may apply for very light drones under 250 grams outside restricted zones, it's worth checking with local authorities beforehand, as this rule is applied inconsistently in practice.
The application must be submitted to the Ministry of Defense (specifically the Operations Bureau of the General Command Post), at least 14 days before the planned flight, or up to 12 working days earlier for flights near airports that require an additional NOTAM procedure. Approval or refusal follows within 5 working days. For most individual travelers this process is barely practical, approvals mostly go to local agencies, film crews or professional operators.
In addition to the flight permit, drones weighing 250 grams or more must be registered with the CAAV (Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam). An overview map of restricted zones is provided by the Ministry of Defense at cambay.mod.gov.vn (https://cambay.mod.gov.vn).
Flying without a permit is generally prohibited over airports, military facilities, government buildings and national parks. Popular destinations like Ha Long Bay or Sa Pa aren't fully off-limits, but individual areas such as harbor zones, cruise routes, caves and busy spots are often subject to additional restrictions.
Many private travelers fly without a permit anyway, especially away from the big cities, but it isn't legal. The risk of confiscation at customs or during the flight always exists, particularly for larger drones without visible registration, which get more scrutiny at the airport.
Penalties are tiered, from 1 to 2 million VND for flying without a license, to 20 to 30 million VND for unauthorized flights near airports, up to 30 to 40 million VND (around $4,000) if air traffic is endangered. The drone can also be confiscated and any already-granted permits revoked.
To play it safe, submit the application at least three to four weeks before your trip, or leave the drone at home for spontaneous sightseeing flights. For organized tours or photo trips, it's worth talking to local agencies who are usually already familiar with the approval process.