Aviation safety begins with small actions on the ground

Under Prime Minister Decision No. 18/2020/QĐ-TTg of 10 June 2020, prohibited and restricted flight zones are established to protect national defence, security and the safety of flight operations.

PROHIBITED FLIGHT ZONE

Unauthorised flight operations are not permitted.

Van Don International Airport has one runway. For an aerodrome with one runway:

• Extends 15 km from each runway end;
• Extends 5 km to each side of the runway centreline;
• Applies at all altitudes.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT ZONE

A restricted flight zone is an area where unmanned aircraft and other flying devices must comply with prescribed conditions and limits.

The area adjoining an airport’s prohibited zone is itself a restricted zone. It extends from the prohibited-zone boundary:

• 3 km in width and 5 km in length;
• Below 120 m above ground level.

Restricted zones also include other areas provided by law, such as airspace above 120 m (except prohibited zones), crowded areas, border areas and other designated areas.

DO NOT ESTIMATE BY EYE

• Do not judge the zone by sight.
• Do not guess the distance to the airport.
• Do not rely only on the commune name.

Check the official map to know exactly where you intend to fly.

Prohibited and restricted flight zones in eight areas associated with Van Don International Airport.

Open the official map ↗

01. Đặc khu Vân Đồn (Van Don Special Zone)+

Zoning status: Both prohibited and restricted flight zones

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Covers the entire Van Don International Airport and the extended take-off and landing corridor (5 km wide and extending 15 km from the two runway ends).
• Military deployment locations, defence bases and sea and island surveillance positions within the Van Don Special Zone.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• All remaining parts of the Van Don Special Zone, including airspace adjoining the airport approach funnel and the island commune areas of Quan Lạn, Minh Châu, Ngọc Vừng and Bản Sen.

Reason: Coastal airspace and forward defence islands situated within the airport approach corridor.

02. Phường Cẩm Phả (Cam Pha Ward)+

Zoning status: Restricted flight zone with local prohibited areas

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Administrative centre, police headquarters and ward/city military command headquarters within the area.
• Electrical substations and industrial explosives storage facilities serving coal mining.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• Covers most of Cam Pha Ward's airspace because it is a central urban area with high population density and transport and maritime infrastructure corridors.

03. Phường Cửa Ông (Cua Ong Ward)+

Zoning status: Restricted flight zone and local prohibited areas

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Cua Ong Port and its warehouses, yards and nationally important energy and industrial infrastructure.
• The active protection zone around the historic Cua Ong Temple and military readiness positions in the area.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• All residential areas within Cua Ong Ward and the ward's coastal waters.

04. Phường Mông Dương (Mong Duong Ward)+

Zoning status: Restricted flight zone with local prohibited areas

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Mong Duong 1 and 2 thermal power plants, associated substations and 500 kV transmission lines.
• Key extraction areas, mineral storage and industrial explosives facilities.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• Hilly areas, surface coal mining areas and residential areas of Mong Duong Ward; a flight altitude limit below 120 m applies.

05. Xã Hải Hoà (Hai Hoa Commune)+

Zoning status: Border restricted flight zone with prohibited areas around designated sites

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Border guard posts and stations, defensive positions and the border belt immediately adjoining the border line.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• Covers all of Hai Hoa Commune, which lies within the 25,000 m border restricted flight strip measured from the Vietnam–China national border.

06. Xã Hải Lạng (Hai Lang Commune)+

Zoning status: Restricted flight zone with prohibited corridor areas

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Local defence facilities, exercise positions and key transport infrastructure junctions crossing the area.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• All of Hai Lang Commune is a restricted flight zone because it lies within the coastal flight safety corridor and the extended border influence strip.

07. Xã Tiên Yên (Tien Yen Commune)+

Zoning status: Restricted flight zone

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Commune government offices, military command, commune police headquarters and armed forces deployment sites.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• Extends across all of Tien Yen Commune's airspace because it lies within the 25 km strip measured from the border and is an urban area and inter-district transport hub.

08. Xã Đầm Hà (Dam Ha Commune)+

Zoning status: Border restricted flight zone with local prohibited areas

PROHIBITED FLIGHT AREAS

• Government office areas, security and defence telecommunications stations, and military bases and storage facilities within the commune.

RESTRICTED FLIGHT AREAS

• Covers most of Dam Ha Commune because its territory lies entirely within the border restricted flight zone, extending 25 km inland from the border.

ONE UAV — ONE RESPONSIBILITY

Using a UAV, flycam or drone in breach of the rules may lead to administrative fines, criminal liability and compensation, depending on the nature, seriousness and consequences of the act.

ADMINISTRATIVE FINES

Under current rules, examples of fines include:

VND 2–3 MILLION

Certain breaches of registration, conditions, location, time, zone or coordinates.

VND 8–9 MILLION

Aerial filming or photography without authorisation.

VND 9–12 MILLION

Flying not in accordance with the authorised content.

VND 12–15 MILLION

Failing to comply with orders of the competent authority supervising flight operations.

VND 20–30 MILLION

Flying without a required flight permit (equipment may also be confiscated).

VND 30–40 MILLION

Using an unmanned or ultralight aircraft in a way that obstructs or endangers other aircraft.

The exact fine depends on the act and the law in force at the time. Organisations may be fined twice the amount for individuals.

CRIMINAL LIABILITY

If the act of obstructing air transport constitutes an offence, the person may be prosecuted under Article 278 of the Criminal Code.

COMPENSATION

Anyone who causes damage may also have to pay compensation under the law.

NOTE

A small act on the ground can affect an entire flight in the air.

NOT ONLY UAVS

Flight safety can also be affected by:

LASERS AND HIGH-INTENSITY LIGHTS

KITES, BALLOONS AND SKY LANTERNS

FIREWORKS AND FLARES

RELEASING OR ATTRACTING BIRDS

BURNING STRAW AND SMOKE

GRAZING LIVESTOCK

People living around Van Don International Airport must not release kites, balloons, sky lanterns or other high-flying objects into areas that affect aviation, and must not shine lasers or high-intensity lights at aircraft.

If you see a UAV, flycam, drone or unusual airborne object heading towards Van Don International Airport, tell the authorities promptly. Do not approach, chase or interfere.

AVIATION SECURITY — VAN DON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT

☎︎ 0335366525 ↗

Or the nearest police office, Quảng Ninh Provincial Police, or authorised units at the airport.

WHEN REPORTING, IF YOU CAN, PROVIDE

• Location;
• Time;
• Direction of travel;
• Description of the device or activity;
• Photos or video if it is safe to take them.

AVIATION SAFETY IS EVERY FAMILY’S WELL-BEING.