Drone Rules Around Phu Quoc National Park

We have no confirmed rule that permits drones in Phu Quoc National Park, and our sources do not describe one. Rules in Vietnam can involve permissions, so confirm the current rule on WhatsApp before you fly. If an official asks you to land, land at once. For aerial-style photos, use a ground-level plan with a guide.

Are drones allowed in the park?

We cannot confirm that drones are allowed, so treat flying as not permitted until you have an answer.

The facts we have are about the park, not about drones. Phu Quoc National Park lies in the northeast of the island, about 12 km from the centre of Phu Quoc. It covers over 36,000 hectares, around 70% of the island’s total area. It was established in 2001 and recognised by UNESCO in 2006 as part of the Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve.

The park does not charge an entrance fee. Free entry is not a permit, and it says nothing about flying a drone. Operators and local sources report that drone rules can involve permissions; confirm the current rule on WhatsApp.

Are there restricted zones near military and border areas?

Our sources do not map restricted zones, so we cannot list them, and we do not guess.

Many countries restrict drones near military sites and border areas, and travellers should ask before flying anywhere near them. The park covers around 70% of the island, so a flight in it may fall near sensitive areas without any sign.

Questions to ask before you go:

• Is any part of my flight area near a military site, a checkpoint or a border area?
• Is there a published map of restricted areas for this park?
• Who can give a written answer for my date?

Do not rely on a map app or a drone app alone. Message us on WhatsApp and we check with local partners. A written answer from a person who knows the area is worth far more than a guess, and it costs you nothing to ask before you travel.

What permits may be needed, and what are the fines?

We cannot confirm whether a permit is needed, so ask first and fly only after you have a clear written answer.

Operators and local sources report that permissions may apply to drone use in Vietnam; confirm the current rule on WhatsApp. A permit, if needed, can take time, so do not plan to arrange it on the morning of your hike.

Do not assume the following:

• That a licence from your home country is enough.
• That free park entry covers drone use.
• That a tour guide can give permission on the spot.
• That being far from a town makes a flight safe.

If a local partner can arrange a permit, we will say so in the chat and confirm the exact price before you pay. If not, we will say that too.

On fines, we cannot give any amount or confiscation rule, because our sources do not state them. Unauthorised flying can lead to a drone being taken or a fine in many places. For a travelling photographer, the loss of equipment and a delay to the trip are the bigger risks. Do not risk your equipment on a guess.

If you decide to fly after checking, keep the drone in sight, keep it away from people, vehicles and buildings, and carry a copy of any permission you obtained.

What are the safe alternatives for aerial-style photos?

Use ground-level photos from viewpoints and trails, because they carry no drone risk.

Ideas that need no drone:

• Ask your guide for photo spots along the route.
• Walk the trail in the dry season, from November to April, when dry forest trails are safer. In the rainy season from May to October, forest trails become slippery and muddy, which makes trekking harder.
• From March to June the forests burst into colour with red camellias and purple myrtles, so there is plenty to photograph at ground level.
• One popular trekking route is up Mount Chua, the highest peak on Phu Quoc at 603 m. Ask on WhatsApp about its current status and whether a guide is required.
• Use a wide-angle lens on your phone for landscape photos.

Our guide on whether the national park is safe without a guide explains why a guide is worth it. For a different kind of site, Phu Quoc Prison: cost, visit time and photo rules lists the photo rules there.

What should I do if I am told to land?

Land the drone at once, switch it off and stay polite, because arguing makes the situation worse.

Steps to follow:

1. Bring the drone down in the nearest safe spot, not over people.
2. Power it off and keep your hands visible.
3. Answer questions calmly, and do not try to hide the drone.
4. If asked, show your footage, and follow instructions.
5. Take the names of any officials, and keep a record of what was said.
6. Message us on WhatsApp afterwards if you want help understanding what happened.

Do not argue about whether the rule exists. Settle the matter on the day, then check the rule so that it does not happen again.

What to do next

Read Phu Quoc National Park: guided tours and visit plan to plan the visit without a drone. For safety on the trails, see whether the park is safe without a guide. For another site with photo restrictions, read Phu Quoc Prison: cost, visit time and photo rules. Message us on WhatsApp with your date.