Southeast Asia Information Port (www.dnyxxg.com) reports that, according to Markets & Markets and PwC, the global drone market is expanding rapidly at a compound annual growth rate of over 15%, projected to reach $128 billion by 2030 and $700 billion by 2035. Vietnam is seizing this industry opportunity, aiming to achieve a drone market size exceeding $2-3 billion by 2030, and to reach $10 billion in revenue and create 1 million jobs by 2035.
Currently, drones are widely used in various sectors in Vietnam, demonstrating their efficiency advantages: In agriculture, over 3,000 drones in the Mekong Delta serve 1.5 million hectares of farmland, with a daily workload of 60-70 hectares (equivalent to the work of 60-70 skilled laborers), and the related market is projected to reach $363.7 million by 2030; in the power industry, one hour of drone flight can replace three days' work for a construction crew; in logistics, with the expected $63 billion e-commerce market in Vietnam by 2030, pilot projects in Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, and Lang Son show that drones effectively overcome terrain challenges and shorten delivery times.
Vietnamese domestic enterprises have become the core driving force of the industry. Viettel, the Vietnamese military telecommunications group, has long been involved in the research and development of drones. During the 2025 floods, its drones, equipped with 4G/5G base stations, achieved communication coverage within a 6-kilometer radius at an altitude of 50-100 meters, operating continuously for up to 24 hours, providing crucial support for disaster relief. Several of its drones boast performance comparable to those of developed countries, and the company is promoting the development of dual-use products and a low-altitude economic ecosystem.
CT Group, on the other hand, has shown impressive performance in exports and production capacity. In August 2025, it signed a contract to export 5,000 heavy-duty drones (payload 60-300 kg) to South Korea, with delivery planned for 2026. Currently, it is negotiating 10 new international orders. The group entered the drone industry in 2016, mastering six core technologies including electronic circuit design and flight control systems, achieving a self-sufficiency rate of 85-90%. It boasts 16 product lines and chip design capabilities, currently operating five drone factories. The Ho Chi Minh City Space Technology Center (which will accommodate 10,000 engineers) and a new factory in Tay Ninh are under construction.
Despite its enormous potential, Vietnam's drone industry still faces challenges such as an imperfect legal and policy system. Industry insiders are calling for multi-party collaboration to break through these challenges: They suggest the government increase research and financial support, establish special loans and investment funds to encourage the purchase of "Made in Vietnam" drones; improve laws, regulations, and industry standards; build drone testing sandboxes; and implement real-name SIM card management for airspace. They also recommend establishing a collaborative mechanism among the government, enterprises, universities, and user communities, with the government building systems and infrastructure, enterprises investing in technology research and development, and universities providing talent and standards support to form a synergy for industrial development. Vietnamese enterprises hope to further expand into international markets and consolidate regional industrial competitiveness through policy empowerment and technological innovation. (End)
