The police force in Vietnam’s Hanoi capital city has launched a trial of AI-integrated unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) for traffic and surveillance operations, using drones developed entirely by Vietnamese companies.

The piloting program is scheduled to end on August 30, 2026, the force said in separate statement in early June.

The UAV systems were developed by local firms MiSmart JSC and Gtel Robot JSC, helping the force customize features according to operational requirements. The trial was directed by Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung, Director of municipal police, in line with instructions from the Ministry of Public Security to advance the application of science and technology in public security operations.

On the first day of trials, teams deployed drones across key tourism areas of Hoan Kiem and Tay Ho. The aircraft operated at a stable altitude of 50 meters with a 20-metre flight corridor. Real-time video was streamed directly to Hanoi Police’s command center, while footage was also transmitted to field officers via mobile devices, reducing information processing time and improving coordination between units on the ground.

The trial also tested equipment stability under strong wind conditions, over open water, and in densely built urban areas, alongside camera gimbal performance to ensure data quality.

Hanoi Police said the program will serve as the basis for further evaluation by the Ministry of Public Security in September 2026, ahead of potential full operational deployment.

Vietnam can become UAV manufacturing hubs with supply chain strength: Minister