Drone & UAV Management: Decree 288/2025 Compliance in Vietnam

Nowadays, with the development of science and technology, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been developed in diverse ways and are widely applied in many fields, bringing many benefits to the socio-economic life of the country; at the same time, they also pose potential risks that could endanger national defense, security, aviation safety, and social order and safety. Recently, on November 5, 2025, the Government issued Decree 288/2025/ND-CP regulating the management of unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles, effective from November 5, 2025. This marks an important step in building a complete and unified legal framework for this rapidly developing type of specialized flying vehicle in Vietnam. In the following article, Viet An Law will update some notable new regulations on drone & UAV management: Decree 288/2025 compliance in Vietnam.

Classification of unmanned aerial vehicles (flycams, drones) from November 5, 2025

Article 4, Decree 288/2025/ND-CP stipulates the classification of unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles (including flycams and civilian drones) from November 5, 2025, with six classification criteria as follows:

Classification of unmanned aircraft by takeoff weight:

• Category 1: Less than 0.25 kilograms;
• Category 2: From 0.25 kilograms to less than 2 kilograms;
• Category 3: From 2 kilograms to less than 25 kilograms;
• Category 4: From 25 kilograms to less than 150 kilograms;
• Category 5: 150 kilograms or more.

Classification of unmanned aircraft according to way of control:

• Visual flight control;
• Instrumental flight control.

Classification of unmanned aircraft according to purpose of use:

• Commerce;
• Serving agricultural production;
• Surveying, mapping, and aerial monitoring;
• Recreation and entertainment;
• Scientific research and technological development;
• Flight training;
• Official duties;
• Other purposes.

Classification of other aircraft by engine

• With engine;
• Without engine;
• Classification of other aircraft by control method;
• With a human operator;
• Without a human operator.

Classification of specialized aircraft used for defense and security purposes according to regulations of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.

Therefore, while the previous regulations in Decree 36/2008/ND-CP only explained unmanned aircraft and classified ultralight aircraft, including balloons and model aircraft, the new regulations in Decree 288/2025/ND-CP provide specific classifications of aircraft based on multiple criteria.

The import, export, temporary import for re-export, and temporary export for re-import of aircraft; aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices must be licensed by the Provincial People’s Committee

The import, export, temporary import for re-export, and temporary export for re-import of aircraft; aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices must comply with Vietnamese law and treaties to which Vietnam is a contracting party.

Specifically, according to Article 6, Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, the import, export, temporary import for re-export, and temporary export for re-import of aircraft; aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices require the following permits:

• The Provincial People’s Committee: Licensing for import, temporary import for re-export, and temporary export for re-import of aircraft; aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices (excluding specialized aircraft used for defense and security purposes of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security) after obtaining the consent of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.
• The Ministry of Defence: Providing opinions on the conformity of aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices with technical standards and regulations; and the airworthiness standards for aircraft.
• Ministry of Public Security: Providing opinions on the conditions for organizations and individuals requesting import, temporary import for re-export, temporary export for re-import, and the quantity, purpose of use, security, and safety of aircraft and equipment constituting aircraft.

Moreover, Decree 288/2025/ND-CP also provides detailed guidance on the applications and procedures for granting import, temporary import for re-export, and temporary export for re-import licenses for aircraft; aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices. Accordingly:

• Within 03 working days of receiving complete applications, the Provincial People’s Committee shall send a document, along with the applications of the organization or individual, to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security.
• Within 05 working days from the date of receiving the applications from the Provincial People’s Committee, the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security shall send a written response to the Provincial People’s Committee.
• Within 03 working days, the Provincial People’s Committee, based on the opinions of the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security, shall decide on the granting of the license in accordance with regulations and send information on the granting of the license to the Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Public Security, and update the license on the National Public Service Portal.

Research, development, testing, production, repair, and maintenance facilities for aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices must be licensed by the Ministry of Defence

To be granted a Certificate of Eligibility for a facility engaged in research, development, testing, production, repair, and maintenance of aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices, the following conditions must be met as stipulated in Clause 1, Article 10, Decree 288/2025/ND-CP:

• Registered and licensed according to legal regulations;
• Owners of facilities for research, development, testing, production, repair, and maintenance of aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and aircraft equipment and devices must comply with regulations;
• There must be at least 3 personnel trained in aviation engineering specialties; the personnel in charge of the aforementioned specialties must have a college degree or higher;
• Dossiers and documents regarding technical infrastructure and product prototypes (if any) demonstrating sufficient capacity for research, development, testing, production, repair, and maintenance suitable for the type of aircraft;
• Dossiers and documents showing the research, development, testing, production, repair, and maintenance processes for aircraft; workshops, yards, and materials used that are appropriate for the type of aircraft;
• Provide a list of aircraft types manufactured, repaired, and maintained, along with relevant aircraft records and documentation, in accordance with technical standards and regulations issued by the Ministry of Defence or recognized basic standards of the Ministry of Defence.

Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence grants certificates of eligibility to facilities for research, development, testing, production, repair, and maintenance of aircraft, aircraft engines, aircraft propellers, and equipment and devices for aircraft after obtaining written agreement from the Ministry of Public Security, except for facilities managed by the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security.

Operators of flycams or drones must be at least 18 years old and possess a driver’s license

One of the new points regarding drone & UAV management: Decree 288/2025 compliance in Vietnam is that operators of flycams or drones must be at least 18 years old and possess a driver’s license.

According to Article 19, Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, the following conditions must be met from November 5, 2025:

• The aircraft must have a valid registration certificate or temporary registration certificate;
• The person directly operating the aircraft must be 18 years of age or older, except in cases where the aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of less than 0.25 kilograms; their blood and breath must be free of alcohol, drugs, sedatives, and other substances according to legal regulations;
• Individuals directly operating aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 0.25 kilograms or more must possess a visual observation flight control license; in cases of operating aircraft with a maximum takeoff weight of 2 kilograms or more, flying beyond visual range, or flying according to a pre-programmed flight control system, they must possess a visual observation flight control license using equipment granted by a competent authority or an international certificate recognized by the Ministry of Defense;
• In the case of a person operating two or more aircraft simultaneously, in addition to meeting the conditions specified in (1), (2) and (3), they must demonstrate the capability of the technology to meet the requirements for ensuring flight safety, as shown in the technical specifications of the aircraft operating system; flying formations, letter formations, and artistic light shows in the air must be approved or sanctioned by the competent state authorities;
• Individuals directly operating other aircraft serving sports activities, in addition to meeting the conditions specified in (1) and (2), must meet additional conditions as prescribed by the law in the field of physical education and sports;
• Foreigners directly operating aircraft in Vietnam, in addition to meeting the above-mentioned conditions, must have a Vietnamese representative from an agency, organization, or individual acting as a guarantor.

Therefore, from November 5, 2025, people need to be aware of the above conditions before operating popular flying devices such as flycams and drones to avoid violations.

Aircraft can only be registered when there are documents proving legal ownership.

According to Article 19, Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, in addition to technical standards and regulations, aircraft are only licensed when there are documents proving legal ownership of the aircraft, including:

• Import license and Customs declaration (for imported aircraft);
• Invoices from a qualified aircraft trading entity, or decision from a competent authority, or transfer document, or financial documents as prescribed by law.

The Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Public Security are the competent authorities to grant flight permits

Previously, according to Decree 36/2008/ND-CP, all drone flight operations required permission from the Ministry of Defense, with no delegation of authority to the Ministry of Public Security.

According to the new regulations in Clause 2, Article 21, Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, the authority to grant flight permits is as follows:

• The Ministry of Defence grants flight permits for aircraft operating within Vietnam’s airspace and flight information region, excluding aircraft belonging to the Ministry of Public Security;
• The Ministry of Public Security grants flight permits for its aircraft, but must coordinate, forecast, and notify the local military authority where the flight is taking place at least 24 hours before the scheduled flight time; for flights on urgent missions, notification must be given to the local military agency before flight for coordinated management.

Accordingly, the validity period for each flight permit is as follows:

• The Ministry of Defence grants flight permits for a maximum duration of 30 days for one flight operation; for official flights and flights serving agriculture, the maximum duration is 180 days; and for flights in traditional flight areas, the maximum duration is 360 days;
• The Ministry of Public Security grants flight permits for one flight operation for aircraft belonging to the Ministry of Public Security, with a maximum duration of 30 days; and for flights in traditional flight areas, the maximum duration is 360 days.

Note: Recreational drones with a maximum takeoff weight of less than 0.25 kilograms operating outside no-fly zones or restricted airspace; and aircraft used for search and rescue in emergency situations as prescribed by law are exempt from flight permits, but must notify the local military and police authorities and the air traffic control facility in the area if their operation affects military or civilian flight operations.

It is evident that the promulgation of Decree 288/2025/ND-CP, effective from November 5, 2025, is considered a strategic step in the management and development of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology in Vietnam. The Decree provides a solid legal basis for the production, exploitation, research, and commercialization of UAVs, while simultaneously enhancing state management effectiveness, ensuring aviation security and safety, and mitigating potential risks from the use of automated drones in civilian applications.

With the new legal framework, Vietnam aims for a modern, orderly, and safe aviation environment while encouraging technological innovation and the development of UAV applications to serve daily life, the economy, agriculture, logistics, and scientific research in the coming period.

The above are some new regulations on drone & UAV management: Decree 288/2025 compliance in Vietnam. If you have any related questions or require advice on obtaining permits related to unmanned aircraft and other flying vehicles, please contact Viet An Law for the best support!