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The city's Department of Science and Technology, working with the Saigon Hi-Tech Park Management Board and technology firms Saolatek, Real-time Robotics Vietnam and Di Dong Viet, launched controlled tests of drone-based deliveries on Jan. 5.
The pilot is part of a regulatory sandbox program approved by the city's People's Council, designed to allow promising new technologies to be tested in real-world conditions under close supervision.
During the trial, organizers conducted two delivery scenarios to assess autonomous flight, navigation accuracy and real-time monitoring.
In the first scenario, a drone developed by Saolatek carried a package containing an iPhone 17 over a distance of about 200 meters inside the test area. The UAV took off, followed a pre-programmed route and landed fully autonomously. Flight data and coordinates were tracked in real time, while live footage from a 5G camera mounted on the drone was transmitted back to a monitoring center. After completing the delivery, the UAV returned safely to its landing site.
The second test, carried out by Real-time Robotics Vietnam, involved a longer and more complex route of more than 400 meters. The drone transported three different items, including phone components, a first-aid kit and three cups of coffee. During a single flight, it delivered the packages to multiple locations in a set sequence before returning to its takeoff point.
According to organizers, the tests were designed to evaluate automation levels, flight stability, remote supervision and the ability of UAVs to transport different types of goods safely.
The pilot program is operating under a flight permit issued by the Ministry of National Defense, valid through 2026, and complies with regulations on airspace management, aviation safety and national security.
Pham Huynh Quang Hieu, deputy director of the city's Department of Science and Technology, said the permit provides an essential foundation for structured and compliant testing. He noted that the program will help authorities and businesses assess the feasibility of using drones for postal services, short-distance delivery and urban logistics.
City officials said the results will also support evaluations of safety, operational efficiency and coordination between regulators and private firms, while helping shape future policies and technical standards.
If the pilot proves successful, Ho Chi Minh City plans to expand drone operations, including longer-distance flights such as routes from Can Gio to Vung Tau, with the goal of shortening delivery times as early as the first quarter of 2026.
The city aims to promote UAV applications in urban delivery, a sector seen as having strong potential to support smart logistics, e-commerce and smart city development. In the long term, the program is expected to help domestic companies master drone technology and gradually build intelligent logistics models aligned with urban growth.
Before the trial, the Saigon Hi-Tech Park Management Board and the Department of Science and Technology reviewed the technical capabilities of participating firms and prepared infrastructure, airspace, and operational plans to ensure safe testing.
Nguyen Ky Phung, head of the Saigon Hi-Tech Park Management Board, said applying drones to urban logistics presents major challenges in both technology and airspace safety, making real-world trials essential for refining policy and guiding future expansion.
