Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has urged the Ministry of Public Security to strengthen measures for managing, monitoring and responding to incidents involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
The proposal follows directives from Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc aimed at improving oversight of UAV operations and preventing threats to aviation safety.
Air traffic control staff at Tan Son Nhat airport (Photo: Ngoc Tan).
According to the ministry, UAV detection currently relies largely on visual observation and manual reporting, limiting authorities’ ability to identify and respond to potential risks promptly.
The ministry has called for the deployment of early-warning UAV detection systems to replace manual identification methods and improve monitoring capabilities around airports and other sensitive areas.
It also recommended that the Ministry of Public Security introduce stronger penalties for organisations and individuals who violate regulations governing the use of UAVs.
Earlier, officials from the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) told Dantri/Dtinews that the economic damage caused by a drone incident near Tan Son Nhat Airport on August 11 was estimated at around VND 60 billion (USD 2.3 million).
The estimate was based on reports submitted by airlines to the airport operator. Approximately 73 flights were directly affected, including more than 50 aircraft forced to enter holding patterns and 27 flights diverted or required to land at alternate airports.
Under Vietnam’s Penal Code, the level of financial damage is one of the factors used to determine penalties for offences involving interference with air transport operations. Offenders causing losses of VND 1.5 billion or more may face prison sentences of between seven and 15 years.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam, UAV-related incidents during the first six months of the year disrupted flight operations and posed direct risks to aviation safety.
Two of the most recent incidents occurred at Tan Son Nhat Airport, including a drone intrusion on August 11 and a kite-flying incident that threatened flight safety on August 13.
Police deal with a person flying a kite that disrupted air traffic near Tan Son Nhat airport (Photo: Provided by police).
Despite ongoing efforts by aviation authorities to raise public awareness of relevant regulations, officials said preventing and handling UAV incursions near airports remains challenging due to a lack of detection and countermeasure equipment, as well as limited enforcement tools.