The Danang People's Committee held on September 8 a workshop to discuss a pilot programme for the development of low-altitude airspace across the city through 2030.
Danang displays unmanned aerial vehicles (Photo: Hoai Son).
Ho Quang Buu, vice-chairman of the Danang People's Committee, said the city views airspace below 1,000 metres as a new resource that should be managed and utilised effectively.
According to Buu, the initiative is not intended merely to introduce unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) into a handful of sectors. Instead, it aims to build a comprehensive ecosystem involving government agencies, businesses, research institutes, universities and technology companies.
Under the proposal, the pilot phase is expected to run from late 2026 to early 2028. During that period, Danang aims to launch at least three low-altitude flight services, attract five aviation operators and involve 10 businesses in the wider value chain.
Trial operations will take place in designated flight zones under a “controlled testing” framework designed to encourage innovation while ensuring national defence, public security and data safety requirements are met.
The proposal identifies four pilot areas for UAV services. Two are located in the city centre, in Son Tra Ward and Ngu Hanh Son Ward.
The Son Tra zone covers more than 11 square kilometres with a perimeter of over 14 kilometres and is intended for tourism, goods delivery, urban services and maritime search-and-rescue operations.
The Ngu Hanh Son zone spans more than 138 square kilometres with a perimeter exceeding 53 kilometres and will support similar activities.
Two additional pilot areas are planned in the southern part of the city, in Tam Ky Ward and Tien Phuoc Commune.
The Tam Ky zone covers more than 22 square kilometres and is intended for tourism, delivery services, urban applications and emergency medical support. The Tien Phuoc zone, covering 0.48 square kilometres, will focus on agriculture, deliveries and emergency response services.
City officials said defining flight zones and routes based on practical demand would allow authorities to evaluate the effectiveness of each model before expanding operations.
From 2028, Danang plans to broaden activities and gradually establish a low-altitude economic ecosystem. The city is also preparing to develop a regional centre for UAV research, manufacturing, training and testing in central Vietnam.
By 2029, Danang aims to establish a complete ecosystem covering UAV research, education, production, testing and commercial applications.
City leaders said the workshop marked an important step in refining the proposal through feedback from experts, scientists, policymakers and businesses.
Beyond the pilot phase, Danang hopes to build domestic expertise in UAV technology, stimulate innovation and create a new driver of economic growth.
