Ho Chi Minh City identifies 63 wards, communes and special zones under drone flight bans

Ho Chi Minh City police have identified 63 wards, communes and special zones where drone, camera-drone and other unmanned-aircraft flights are prohibited.

The list covers 59 wards, including Tan Son Nhat, Tan Binh, Thu Duc, Go Vap, Binh Thanh, Phu Nhuan and Sai Gon. It also includes the communes of Ba Diem, Binh Loi and Tan Nhut, as well as Con Dao special zone.

Police said they launched coordinated inspections from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2. Officers detected 122 people violating flight regulations, drew up reports and seized multiple drones, camera drones and other unmanned flying objects. Authorities said they would strengthen case files for criminal proceedings when violations show signs of crime.

The warning follows the case of Than Van Tan, 42, a resident of Tan Binh Ward. On Aug. 28, Ho Chi Minh City's Security Investigation Agency charged and detained him on suspicion of obstructing air traffic. Tan allegedly flew a kite fitted with flashing lights inside the flight-restricted area of Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The incident forced the Southern Air Traffic Management Center to temporarily stop accepting arriving aircraft on the evening of Aug. 13. Sixteen flights were affected in a chain reaction, and several aircraft diverted to alternate airports.

Police urged residents, organizations and businesses providing filming, photography or other services to check the rules governing flight zones, operating conditions and permits before using drones or similar devices.