Under the auspices of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology, CT Group and Vietnam Post carried out the first cross-sea delivery flight on February 12, flying from Can Gio Commune to Vung Tau Ward in Ho Chi Minh City.
Ho Chi Minh City officially inaugurated its first cross-sea drone delivery route on February 12 (Photo: Organising Committee).
During the inaugural flight, a UAV operated by CT UAV, a CT Group member, transported a 2 kilogramme package over a route of more than 12 kilometres each way, completing the journey in 15 minutes. The solution is estimated to be around six times more efficient than road transport and three times more efficient than waterway transport.
Officials said the route outperforms a previous model deployed in Singapore, which covered 2.7 kilometres in seven minutes, with the Vietnam flight described as both longer and faster.
Authorities estimate that around 120 large vessels could require package deliveries daily, and that travel time between Can Gio and Vung Tau could be reduced by 80–90 per cent compared with road transport.
Once fully operational, the route is expected to handle around 3,000–5,000 small packages under 2 kilogrammes each day from central Ho Chi Minh City to the Vung Tau area. Officials said the service could help reduce traffic congestion and operational costs while supporting the development of a low-altitude airspace economy.
“This flight demanded higher technical requirements due to its longer route and more complex operating conditions, particularly high winds and cross-sea operations,” said Pham Huynh Quang Hieu, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Science and Technology.
He added that the successful flight demonstrated technological maturity and the ability to deploy low-altitude air transport models in real-world conditions.
Once fully operational, the cross-sea UAV route will meet a significant demand for deliveries (Photo: Organising Committee).
Nguyen Nhu Thuan, Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Post Office, said Vietnam Post would continue working with relevant agencies to complete documentation, procedures and operating conditions for UAV delivery services. Commercial charges have not yet been applied on a widespread basis.
With a 2 kilogramme package delivered across the sea in 15 minutes, Ho Chi Minh City is positioning itself as a pioneer in ASEAN’s emerging low-altitude airspace economy.
