The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council on Thursday approved a resolution establishing criteria, sectors, and guidelines for the controlled testing of drones and unmanned vehicles within the city’s high-tech and information technology zones. 

The designated testing location for drones is the Saigon High-Tech Park, while autonomous vehicles will be tested at the Quang Trung Software City and the Saigon High-Tech Park.

These testing areas must be enclosed, monitored, and equipped with communication, safety, and rescue equipment.

The companies overseeing the testing are required to operate within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park or Quang Trung Software City and must meet specific standards for technology, staffing, and financial capacity.

Unmanned terrestrials involved in such controlled testing must meet standards set forth by local authorities, ensure economic and technological efficiency, cause no negative impacts on the environment or human health, and meet safety and information security regulations.

Unmanned drones used for testing must meet specific technical criteria, including featuring wingspans of 400-1,570mm, lengths of 200-1,570mm, and heights of 100-715mm.

Their maximum take-off weight must be 70kg and their maximum flight speeds may not exceed 100kph.

Their top landing speeds may not surpass 60kph and their utmost flight heights must not exceed 200m.

Meanwhile, self-driving vehicles' speeds may not exceed 20kph.

All vehicles involved in the testing program may only be operated between 7:00 am and 5:00 pm.

The testing program is aimed at using drones and uncrewed vehicles in security, rescue, fire prevention and fighting, logistics, passenger transport, hi-tech agriculture, environment, and art.

Capital from the city’s budget and other legal resources will be sourced to invest in infrastructure at the Saigon Hi-Tech Park and Quang Trung Software City to execute the program.

The Ho Chi Minh City administration noted that numerous innovative products, technologies, services, and business models have emerged over the years.

However, a lack of regulations poses significant risks to their commercialization.

To address this, the city aims to support policies that enable the pilot testing of new technological solutions, fostering an environment where effective solutions can receive legal endorsement.

Phan Van Mai, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, conveyed to the municipal People’s Council that Party General Secretary To Lam underlined the use of science and technology as the foundation and driver for innovation and growth.

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