HCMC – HCMC has put into operation a cross-sea postal delivery service using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), marking a new step in the city’s push toward smart logistics and the digital economy.
The service connects Can Gio Commune and Vung Tau Ward, with flights departing from the Can Gio ferry terminal area. The launch ceremony was held on February 12 by the HCMC Department of Science and Technology in coordination with Vietnam Post and CT UAV.
According to the Department of Science and Technology, a pilot flight was conducted in November 2025 within a limited area. The positive results confirmed the technical capacity of the system and coordination among participating agencies.
During the inaugural flight, the UAV carried a two-kilogram parcel over a distance of more than 12 kilometers each way in around 15 minutes. The operator estimates total delivery time could be reduced by 80-90% compared to road transport, with efficiency six times higher than road and three times higher than waterway transport.
In the initial phase, Vietnam Post will prioritize small parcels under five kilograms, including documents and e-commerce items. Once fully operational, the route is expected to handle 3,000 to 5,000 small parcels under two kilograms per day from downtown HCMC to Vung Tau.
All shipments are integrated into Vietnam Post’s logistics system under a “one code – one journey” model, enabling real-time tracking.
Flight parameters are tightly controlled to ensure safety. The maximum altitude is 200 meters, the flight corridor is 300 meters wide, and takeoff and landing zones have a radius of 500 meters. Each deployment is coordinated with Air Division 370 and the Southern Air Traffic Management Company.
CT UAV said it has developed the CT-Nexus Flight Control System, designed to operate in high-wind offshore conditions.
Authorities said the model will be closely monitored to assess its effectiveness and refine the regulatory framework for new technologies. Beyond parcel delivery, the route could be expanded to support offshore logistics, maritime inspection and monitoring, medical assistance, search and rescue, and services for coastal and island areas.
The city views the project as a step toward standardizing drone-based logistics operations and developing a low-altitude air transport infrastructure to support its logistics ecosystem and digital economy.
