Flashing-light kites disrupt 21 flights at Vietnam's busiest airport

Tan Son Nhat handles roughly 50 million passengers a year across three terminals, about 8 km north of downtown Ho Chi Minh City. Dense urban neighborhoods surround the airport, making it vulnerable to interference from drones, kites and laser beams. In 2025 the airport recorded 255,376 flights and 42.4 million passengers. Traffic peaked on Feb. 22 at 177,000 passengers on 1,069 flights, the busiest day in its history.

The Monday incident is part of a broader pattern across Vietnam. In June, a UAV was spotted near Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi, affecting 16 flights. In March, a drone near Cat Bi International Airport in Hai Phong disrupted operations for roughly four hours and forced four flights to divert to Noi Bai. Da Nang International Airport has also reported multiple UAV sightings near its flight paths.

Under Vietnamese regulations, individuals who fly kites or operate drones in restricted airspace and disrupt aviation face fines of up to VND40 million, or about $1,520. Officials at Tan Son Nhat have installed warning signs urging residents not to fly kites, operate UAVs or shine laser beams near the approach path.