Vietnam
Vietnam grants strong image rights and, since 2023, restricts commercial use of public-work images; drones are effectively off-limits to tourists.
Guidance, not legal advice
Permit
Conditional
Issuer: Site managers and a licensed local partner for commercial shoots; no permit for personal photography
Cost: No permit for personal or tourist photography; commercial shoots need permits, and heritage sites charge photo fees
Personal photography in public needs no permit. Commercial shoots require permits and usually a licensed local production partner, and managed sites set their own fees. Photographing military, border, government, and security sites is prohibited.
Drone / airspace
Every flight must be pre-approved by the Ministry of National Defence, with large no-fly buffers and steep fees
Casual aerial photography is effectively off-limits. For depth, see Drone Authority.
Street / public space
Yes to photograph, but the Civil Code (Art. 32) requires consent to use a person's image and remuneration for commercial use
Use without consent is allowed for public interest or images from public activities that do not harm honor and dignity.
Freedom of panorama
Limited
The IP Law permits photographing public architecture and fine art to present images of the works, but a 2022 amendment (effective 2023) added that the use must not be commercial. Selling images of copyrighted buildings or public artworks requires the rights holder's permission.
Practical notes
- Never photograph military bases, border areas, or police, government, and security buildings; equipment seizure is a real risk.
- Expect site-specific photo fees at heritage attractions, and assume drone permits are very difficult and expensive.
Sources
Keep shooting
Knowing the rules is half the job. The craft side: