Hanoi drone management and airport safety measures

Hanoi authorities have implemented new measures to tighten the management of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to protect aviation safety, specifically around Noi Bai International Airport. Under a directive from Vice Chairman Bui Duy Cuong, the Hanoi Capital Command and local police are tasked with reviewing flight permits, auditing drone ownership and trade, and monitoring restricted airspace.

Following these regulatory directives, the Vietnam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), and Vietnam Airlines conducted a joint simulation exercise named ‘3A. 2026’. This drill at Noi Bai International Airport tested inter-agency coordination and operational recovery in response to unauthorized drone incursions during peak hours.

The simulation was prompted by an increase in drone-related incidents; in the first seven months of 2026, the aviation industry recorded 22 incidents directly affecting operations and 18 potential risks. Additionally, unauthorized UAV appearances at Tan Son Nhat International Airport on August 11 and 13 caused flight disruptions, including diversions and holding patterns. The ‘3A. 2026’ exercise specifically evaluated how VATM manages air traffic, how ACV handles airport operations, and how airlines adjust schedules and passenger services during emergencies, while ensuring all simulation data remained separate from real-time commercial flight systems.