FPT and Điện Biên Province Pioneer Low-Altitude Economy Development with UAVs

On April 3, Điện Biên Province held a launching ceremony for digging planting holes for coffee and macadamia trees, and piloting a low-altitude economic development model in Mường Ảng Commune. The event was attended by Mr. Trần Tiến Dũng – Member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Mr. Lê Thành Đô – Standing Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, Chairman of the Provincial People’s Council, along with leaders of departments, agencies and local residents. On the business side, representatives from FPT and Trường Thịnh Drone were present.

Provincial leaders and participating forces at the launching ceremony. Photo: Xuân Tư/VNA

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, Điện Biên is the first locality in the country to propose participation in a controlled pilot (sandbox) for a low-altitude economic development model applying UAVs. Under the proposal, FPT coordinates with the Vietnam Post Corporation and drone partners such as Trường Thịnh Drone to apply UAVs in agriculture for fertilization, spraying, rice seeding, and crop monitoring. As a core member of the Low-Altitude Economy Alliance, FPT is expected to work with UAV partners to promote implementation of the province’s proposal.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Lò Văn Cương – Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee – affirmed that the event is of great significance, demonstrating the strong determination of the Party, authorities and people in restructuring the agricultural sector toward concentrated, sustainable production associated with science and technology application. He also requested the Department of Science and Technology to accelerate the application of science and technology and deploy the low-altitude economic model using UAVs to support people in improving productivity and labor efficiency.

UAVs developed by FPT and Trường Thịnh Drone pilot spraying fertilizer for coffee plants in the Ảng Cang Lake area, Mánh Đanh hamlet, Mường Ảng Commune, Điện Biên Province. Photo: Xuân Tư/VNA

At the event, FPT and Trường Thịnh Drone conducted a UAV pilot flight to spray foliar fertilizer for coffee plants in the Ảng Cang Lake area (Mánh Đanh hamlet). The UAV completed fertilization over an area of approximately 1 hectare in about 10 minutes. The UAV demonstrated superiority with stable flight paths and precise distribution of fertilizer across the crop area, significantly reducing labor and minimizing waste thanks to navigation control algorithms.

Previously, with manual methods, spraying 1 hectare in flat areas took 2–3 hours (compared to 8–10 minutes with drones). In mountainous areas, it could take up to three working days due to difficult terrain, requiring people to carry water uphill for cultivation. In addition, manual spraying requires about 200 liters of water per hectare, while drones only require around 30–50 liters.

With up to 90% mountainous terrain, agricultural production in the province faces many challenges due to fragmentation, difficulty in mechanization, a shrinking labor force, and increasing production costs. The application of UAVs in Điện Biên helps optimize farming processes, address labor shortages and save materials, creating a premise for applying precision agriculture methods in the future.

UAVs are piloted for transporting agricultural products in Điện Biên Province under a project coordinated by the Ministry of Science and Technology and FPT earlier in March. Photo: MST

Mr. Vũ Anh Tú – Managing Director of FPT UAV, FPT Corporation – said that the Mekong Delta alone currently has around 10,000 agricultural drones, actively operating in provinces such as Đồng Tháp and An Giang. For Điện Biên, with its steep mountainous terrain, drone technology is even more meaningful as it helps people work faster, more accurately and more economically, reducing labor and increasing productivity. In addition to spraying, UAVs can be used for transporting agricultural products, goods, medical equipment, surveillance, or tourism. If effectively deployed, they can create a complete ecosystem for the province, generate more jobs and stimulate economic and tourism development. The pilot application of UAVs in Mường Ảng Commune aims to verify practical effectiveness, providing a scientific basis for evaluation and process improvement before scaling up, ensuring safety and suitability to local conditions.

“With the desire to accompany Điện Biên Province, FPT aims to gradually bring technology into practice, contributing to improving production efficiency, reducing labor intensity for people, protecting health, saving resources, and opening up new development directions for the locality,” he added.

With the determination to master strategic technologies, FPT announced investment in UAV research and development and established FPT UAV. The investment in developing and applying strategic technologies affirms the Group’s commitment to accompanying the country in implementing Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo, applying science and technology to promote socio-economic development.

The low-altitude economy could generate USD 10 billion and create one million jobs for Vietnam by 2035. In recent years, FPT has made efforts to promote the development of the low-altitude economy in Vietnam by initiating and establishing the Low-Altitude Economy Alliance, and cooperating with international technology training organizations to develop high-quality human resources in the UAV field.