Its looks like Chinese drone and autonomous aerial mobility company EHang wants to go places with its lower skies economy sandbox, seeing as it has now convinced Vietnam and Sri Lanka to hop on board.
The company has just announced that today announced that its Global Fast Track Program – a framework the company launched to help international civil-aviation authorities and partners towards accelerating their low attitude economies through streamlining drone technology certification and commercial rolling out pilotless electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft – has expanded into Vietnam, after first making a stop in Sri Lanka.
The Vietnamese capital Hanoi will be the first beneifciary, marking EHang’s first city‑level partnership in the country.
This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Ehang’s partner HungViet Technology and Investment Trading and the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology in Hanoi.
“In accordance with Hanoi’s dedicated procedures for regulatory sandbox testing, the parties will carry out low‑altitude economy sandbox testing of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft centred on the EH216‑S pilotless human‑carrying aircraft, exploring compliant validation pathways for safe operations.” Ehang said in a statement.
“EHang will provide the EH216‑S aircraft and its technological systems in support of the sandbox testing.”
Under the MOU, the Hanoi DOST will provide guidance for the application and approval of the sandbox testing, while HungViet, as the local implementing entity, will commit technical, financial and human resources.
The sandbox is scheduled to start running from October 2026.
Under the cooperation plan, the parties will start with regulatory sandbox testing and carry out phased technical verification of the passenger and cargo variants of the EH216‑series pilotless eVTOL aircraft in line with Vietnam's local regulatory rules, real-world operating environments and business implementation conditions, steadily advancing commercial‑operation‑related work.
Beyond Hanoi, EHang plans to further expand its business to key Vietnamese cities including Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and to realize diversified commercial‑use scenarios centred around urban commuting and the development of popular tourist destinations.
HungViet will prepare the sandbox application materials and carry out controlled test flights upon approval from local aviation regulators.
“Expanding into overseas markets means far more than exporting aircraft hardware,” said Conor Yang, Chief Financial Officer at EHang.
“What matters most is the deep alignment of technology and commercial operations with local regulatory systems. Safety and compliance are the bedrock for the commercial realization of AAM. EHang’s Global Fast Track Program is designed for the regulatory frameworks and market characteristics of individual countries and regions.
“Through sandbox testing, operational validation and collaboration with local partners, it connects technology, commercial operations and regulation to accelerate commercial roll‑out. Vietnam is a highly innovative and important market within ASEAN.
“We look forward to working solidly with the Hanoi government on testing and validation activities, accumulating valuable practical experience for the safe and orderly commercial deployment of pilotless eVTOL in the country, and advancing commercial opportunities for low‑altitude mobility across Southeast Asia.”
The passenger drones, operational technology systems and personnel training support involved in the sandbox testing will all be provided by EHang.
The cooperation will advance in phases at Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park, which include conducting controlled test flights of the EH216‑S, building an unmanned aircraft traffic management (UTM) model and an operations control centre (OCC) model, while advancing operational technology training, jointly developing technical standards and regulations, and technical exchanges.
Testing will proceed upon completion of the relevant application and approval procedures.
“Hanoi is in a phase of rapid urban development, and the low‑altitude economy holds tremendous potential,” said Truong Viet Dzung, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People’s Committee.
“We greatly appreciate EHang’s technical support and collaboration. The signing and execution of this project will strongly advance the development of Hanoi’s low‑altitude economy and science‑innovation industries, drive comprehensive urban development, and ultimately bring benefits to Hanoi residents. Innovative technologies such as pilotless aerial vehicles will also open brand‑new possibilities for Hanoi’s urban mobility and cultural‑tourism growth.”
EHang has also held discussions with aviation representatives of countries that include Malaysia, Laos, Fiji, Cambodia, the Philippines, Tonga, Vietnam, Maldives, Bhutan, Nepal and other countries, with a view to explore viable paths to deploy regulatory sandbox mechanisms and the Fast Track Program in these countries.
Vietnam’s cultural‑tourism market boasts strong growth momentum. According to official Vietnamese statistics, the country received nearly 21.2 million international inbound tourists in 2025, hitting an all‑time high.
The booming tourism industry unlocks extensive market space for applications including pilotless eVTOL aerial sightseeing and urban low‑altitude mobility. The signing of the MOU in Hanoi also represents a key advance for EHang’s Global Fast Track Program in Southeast Asia.
Sri Lanka was the first to drink the sandbox Kool Aid, after the Civil Aviation Authority of Sri Lanka (CAASL) signed on in August this year.
CAASL said it has adopted proposals presented by EHang Intelligent under the company’s Global Fast-Track Programme, with a target of achieving initial commercialisation within the sandbox in four months. An EHang delegation held discussions with Director General of Civil Aviation and CEO Capt. Daminda Rambukwella and CAASL officials on the implementation of the programme.
Initial operations will focus on a designated sandbox zone around Port City in Colombo, where eVTOL operational services will be established. Potential routes under consideration include scenic flights over the “Eighth Wonder of the World” — the historic rock fortresses of Sigiriya, as well as the Pidurangala, also shuttle services connecting Katunayake Airport to hotels in central Colombo and catering to tourist mobility needs within Port City and the greater Colombo area.
The discussions also covered regulatory requirements, aircraft specifications, infrastructure, airspace considerations, maintenance arrangements, personnel requirements and the operational framework needed for eVTOL services.
Further technical discussions between EHang and CAASL teams are expected as Sri Lanka explores the potential introduction of Advanced Air Mobility technology.