Drone Show Ho Chi Minh City: Trusted Organiser in Saigon 2026

The Ho Chi Minh City drone show is becoming the leading trend in the event industry following the boost of the record 10,500 drones at Bạch Đằng Wharf and Saigon Riverside Park on the night of April 30, 2025, the 50th anniversary of national reunification. According to Guinness World Records, this was the largest drone show in Vietnam and also ranked among the largest drone events in the world in 2025. Join Xuân Air for a complete overview of the Ho Chi Minh City drone show, from the market, venues and permits to an indicative price list.

1. Drone Shows in Ho Chi Minh City - A Booming Trend

Saigon is the focal point of Vietnam's drone show industry thanks to its high density of businesses, modern event infrastructure and a technology-loving Gen Z and Millennial audience. The two sections below sketch the market context and the notable drone show events that have taken place in Ho Chi Minh City.

1.1. The context of the drone show market in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City is the city that has held the most drone shows in Vietnam as of mid-2026, accounting for an estimated 55–60% of shows nationwide. The characteristics of the Ho Chi Minh City market comprise 3 factors: a heavy concentration of major brand headquarters (Vietcombank, Masan, Grab, Budweiser, Sapporo, Haidilao), a professional event ecosystem with 200+ reputable agencies, and the high spending capacity of businesses in F&B, real estate and finance. Central districts such as District 1, District 7, District 2 (Thủ Đức) and District 4 are hot spots for drone shows, with shows taking place every month.

1.2. Notable recent drone show events

The largest drone show in Vietnam to date is the record 10,500 drones at Saigon Riverside Park and Bạch Đằng Wharf, from 8:30 pm to 8:45 pm on April 30, 2025, commemorating the 50th anniversary of national reunification. This event was performed by the company DAMODA (China) at an estimated cost of USD 500,000. Before that, Ho Chi Minh City also held a 200-drone show at the end of 2022 at a cost of around VND 4–5 billion according to VnExpress. In 2026, the brands Vietcombank, Budweiser and Masan and many agencies have booked drone shows for product launch campaigns and brand activations in Ho Chi Minh City. See Xuân Air's drone show services to understand the packages suited to the Saigon market.

2. Top Venues for Organising a Drone Show in Ho Chi Minh City

The choice of venue for a drone show in Ho Chi Minh City determines 25–30% of the show's success in terms of imagery, safety and legal compliance. The three sections below analyse the best groups of venues in Saigon, from new urban areas to riverside spaces.

2.1. The Thủ Thiêm and Phú Mỹ Hưng urban areas

The Thủ Thiêm new urban area (District 2, Thủ Đức) and Phú Mỹ Hưng (District 7) are the two hottest venues for brand drone shows in Ho Chi Minh City. Thủ Thiêm has 657 ha of wide-open space, and Mai Chí Thọ Street and the square beside the Saigon River allow large shows of 500–2,000 drones to be held. Phú Mỹ Hưng suits shows of 100–500 drones with a high-end audience, making use of the Crescent park system and Crescent Lake (Hồ Bán Nguyệt). Both areas have the advantage of being less constrained by the flight paths of Tân Sơn Nhất airport.

2.2. The Saigon River - Bạch Đằng Wharf

Bạch Đằng Wharf (District 1) and Saigon Riverside Park (District 1, Thủ Đức) are the emblematic venues for city-level and national drone shows. This is where the record 10,500-drone show on April 30, 2025 and the New Year's Eve countdown were held. Advantages: a space with water reflection, wide stands for 100,000+ people, and good transport infrastructure. Limitations: permission is needed from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Department of Culture and Sports because it is a cultural heritage area, with a review period of 3–4 weeks.

2.3. Stadiums, parks and resorts

Phú Thọ Stadium (District 11), Military Region 7 Stadium (Tân Bình) and 5-star resorts and hotels such as Vinpearl Riverside and Park Hyatt Saigon are options for medium-scale shows of 100–500 drones. Tao Đàn Park (District 1), 23/9 Park and the Landmark 81 sky deck are also used for brand activations. Clients can refer to Xuân Air's completed drone show projects to picture the choice of venue suited to their event.

3. Suitable Types of Event and the Flight Permit Process

Ho Chi Minh City has 3 groups of events that regularly book drone shows: commercial (brand activations, product launches), personal (marriage proposals, VIP birthdays) and community (city festivals). Besides choosing the venue, businesses need a firm grasp of the flight permit process specific to Saigon in order to avoid a postponed show.

3.1. Commercial, personal and community events

Commercial events account for 70% of drone shows in Ho Chi Minh City, including product launches, brand activations, real estate project openings and corporate galas. Personal events (15%) focus on high-end marriage proposals, VIP birthdays and luxury weddings. Community events (15%) include the New Year countdown, Lunar New Year and the city's major public holidays. Each group has different requirements in terms of storyboard, scale and level of confidentiality.

3.2. Permits from CAAV and the Ministry of National Defence

Under Decree 288/2025 and the Law on People's Air Defence 2024, the organiser of a drone show in Ho Chi Minh City must submit an application to the Southern Airports Authority (Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam) and the Department of Operations of the General Staff (Ministry of National Defence) at least 30 days before the event. The application comprises 6 items: the flight permit request, the detailed storyboard, the venue diagram, the equipment list, event insurance and the chief pilot's identity card. The review fee is VND 15–50 million depending on scale.

3.3. Restricted flight zones in Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City has 4 groups of areas restricted for drone show flights:

• the absolute no-fly zone around Tân Sơn Nhất airport (8km radius)

• military areas (the adjoining Biên Hoà airbase)

• cultural heritage areas (Independence Palace, Notre-Dame Cathedral, museums)

• commercial flight routes above 150m.

Flying without a permit is fined VND 20–30 million for individuals and VND 40–60 million for organisations. Xuân Air handles all the legal procedures for clients, ensuring that the show goes ahead as planned.

4. Ho Chi Minh City Drone Show Price List 2026

Drone show prices in Ho Chi Minh City are usually 10–15% lower than in Hanoi and 15–20% lower than in Đà Nẵng because of two factors: the drone supply chain in Ho Chi Minh City is the most complete in Vietnam (5–7 providers with actual drones), and technical teams do not need to travel far. The table below is a reference for outdoor shows at popular inner-city venues.

The prices include: equipment, programming, operation, the flight permit in Ho Chi Minh City, insurance and 1–2 angles of raw footage. Not included: professional video post-production (VND 50–200 million), rental of the take-off and landing site (if the venue requires it) and the surcharge for late-night flights after 10 pm.

5. Frequently Asked Questions About Ho Chi Minh City Drone Shows

The five questions below are compiled from clients in Ho Chi Minh City contacting Xuân Air, accurately reflecting the most common concerns about drone shows in Saigon.

Does a drone show in Ho Chi Minh City need permission from Tân Sơn Nhất airport?

Yes. Every show flying within a 30km radius of Tân Sơn Nhất airport (that is, most of inner Ho Chi Minh City) must have the approval of the Southern Airports Authority. Coordination takes 2–3 weeks. District 7, District 2 (Thủ Đức) and Cần Giờ are the areas furthest from the airport, where the procedure is usually 5–7 days faster.

Can a drone show be held in District 1?

Yes, but additional permission is needed from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, the District 1 People's Committee and the Department of Culture and Sports because District 1 has many cultural heritage sites. Bạch Đằng Wharf is the most popular venue in District 1 and hosted the 10,500-drone show on April 30, 2025.

When is the best time to organise a drone show in Ho Chi Minh City?

The dry season (November to April) is the ideal time because of little rain and stable winds. June–October is the rainy season, when 20–30% of planned drone show dates may be postponed. The golden time slot is from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm, when it is completely dark and the audience is at its largest.

Does Xuân Air have its head office in Ho Chi Minh City?

Yes. Xuân Air's head office is at 7th Floor, 84-86 Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Xóm Chiếu Ward, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City. The technical and creative teams based at this office respond to every request within 1 working day and can survey the venue in person in Ho Chi Minh City within 1–2 days of signing the contract.

Can a drone show in Ho Chi Minh City fly on New Year holidays?

Yes. New Year's Eve (December 31) and Lunar New Year (the 29th–30th day of the 12th lunar month) are the two biggest occasions for drone shows in Ho Chi Minh City. However, the permit application needs to be submitted early, 60–90 days in advance, because of high demand and because the Ministry of National Defence tightens airspace management on major holidays.

6. Xuân Air - Headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City, Fast Response

Xuân Air is a pioneering provider of premium drone light show services in Ho Chi Minh City, with the slogan "Elevating Brands, Shaping Distinction" ("Nâng Tầm Thương Hiệu, Định Hình Khác Biệt"). Xuân Air's head office is at 7th Floor, 84-86 Nguyễn Trường Tộ, Xóm Chiếu Ward, District 4, Ho Chi Minh City (2km from Bạch Đằng Wharf, 8km from Phú Mỹ Hưng and 5km from Thủ Thiêm). The technical, creative and permit-handling teams are all based in Ho Chi Minh City, allowing requests to be answered and venues surveyed within 24–48 hours.

Some of the projects Xuân Air has delivered for clients in Ho Chi Minh City and nationwide:

• 100 drones for SHB Bank: new card launch in 2025, B2B brand activation in Ho Chi Minh City.

• 500 drones in Gia Lai: welcoming the 2026 tourism season, telling the story of Central Highlands culture.

• 700 drones in Cần Thơ: welcoming the new year 2025, drawing the Cái Răng floating market on the Hậu River.

• 400 drones at Đại Nam, Bình Dương: the 2026 Spring Festival with peach blossoms and a countdown.

• 100 drones in Đà Lạt: a private marriage proposal show in 2026 for a VIP client.

Partners that have worked with Xuân Air in the Ho Chi Minh City market include Vietcombank, Budweiser, Sapporo, Bia Sài Gòn, Grab, Masan Group, Haidilao, Biti's, SHB Bank, En Studio, One Box PR and Little Me Media. With the advantage of a head office in District 4 and a team with a deep understanding of the Saigon market, Xuân Air is proud to be a leading drone show partner for businesses and events in Ho Chi Minh City. To receive a quick consultation and a free venue survey, please call the hotline +84 969 045 871 or email trung@xuanair.com.