In September, 118 drone flights carried coffee from the growing area in Muong Ang, Dien Bien, to processing and production sites. Each flight carried 50 kilograms and operated in permitted areas.
Muong Ang is also testing drone spraying. On a one-hectare hillside, the device takes 7 to 10 minutes to spray, while manual work on steep terrain can take 3 to 4 hours.
Dien Bien's People's Committee authorized the controlled drone trial for the low-altitude economy in June. Nguyen Ba Anh, deputy director of the provincial Department of Science and Technology, said the flights had generally met requirements for routes, operating areas, payloads and transport purposes.
The province is considering drones for transporting farm products and production materials, medical logistics, mapping, resource, forest and land management, disaster prevention, and search and rescue.
The trial has drawn interest from businesses. One company proposed studying three projects: a drone flight testing and practice centre, a drone manufacturing plant, and a centre for presenting and training in drone and aerospace technology. The projects would have a combined planned investment of nearly VND 200 billion.
Legal rules and coordination between agencies remain among the obstacles. Complex terrain and weather, along with limited infrastructure and staff, require a specific approach to these services.
The controlled trial will run until the end of May 2027, with a target of about 6,000 flights. Dien Bien officials say the experience may help companies expand drone delivery services to other regions.
Sources: VnExpress
