Vietnam bans drone flights near all government buildings, borders and factories

Even the Fatherland Front Central Committee is a no-fly zone

Vietnam has banned drones from flying near all government premises on national security grounds.

Many countries, including the UK, the US, and Australia, ban flying drones around airports and close to certain types of buildings. But Vietnam's communist government has gone a step further banning their use within 200m of all important government buildings.

This includes the headquarters of the bodies of the State, the Party, the National Assembly, the Government, ministries and central agencies; headquarters of the provincial-level Party Committees, People’s Councils, People’s Committees; headquarters of foreign diplomatic missions, consular offices, and international organizations in Vietnam.

Even the HQ of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee - an organisation that in theory is the expression of citizens' ultimate power - is now a no-fly zone.

Drones will also be banned from flying within 500m of military, defence and security areas, including storage facilities and factories, as well as around airports.

A statement on the Party-run VGP News said that the decision was made after local authorities had uncovered drones illegally flying around restricted and military sites.

"The technology may offer benefits to society but it should not affect national defence, social security, and aviation safety," the statement said.

The legislation also limits drones to flying at a maximum of 120m above ground level, and prohibits their use in "over populated areas" and around Vietnam's borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia.

The new legislation comes after two passenger aircraft were suspected of colliding with drones during landing late last year. The planes were damaged but no passengers were seriously hurt. ®