Vietnam shuts down airport after repeated drone sightings near runway

The suspension began at 6:00 p.m. on Monday and will remain in effect until 6:00 a.m. on Tuesday, disrupting at least 10 civilian flights. The decision follows three consecutive days of aerial intrusions near the runway, which led to repeated flight diversions and delays.

On Sunday, two Vietjet Air flights from Ho Chi Minh City were rerouted: one to Hanoi’s Noi Bai Airport and the other to Vinh Airport in neighboring Nghe An Province. Similar incidents had already disrupted operations on Friday and Saturday.

Authorities described the situation as "increasingly complex and difficult to control," prompting the urgent suspension of all flights in and out of the airport. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) has directed airport officials to work closely with air traffic controllers, police and military units to detect and neutralize unauthorized drones.

The Thanh Hoa People's Committee has also been tasked with investigating the breaches and holding violators accountable. Joint patrols have been deployed in nearby residential areas to prevent further incidents.

Vietnamese law prohibits any unmanned aerial vehicles within an 8-kilometer radius of airports, particularly near takeoff and landing zones. This includes drones, flycams, sky lanterns, kites, balloons, laser pointers and signal flares. Violators can face fines ranging from VND3 million to VND40 million ($115–$1,530), along with the seizure of their equipment.

Tho Xuan Airport, located in Sao Vang Town in north-central Vietnam, is a joint civil-military facility that handles 10 to 15 commercial flights daily, in addition to military operations.