Hanoi is preparing for test flights of the EHang EH216-S autonomous flying taxis. The two-seat electric aircraft is capable of vertical takeoff and landing, reaching speeds of up to 130 km/h and covering up to 30 km on a single flight.
The Hanoi Department of Science and Technology and HungViet signed a cooperation agreement on September 28. The tests are planned to be conducted at the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park. Before flights can begin, the project must obtain the necessary permits from city authorities.
The EH216-S belongs to the eVTOL class—electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. Thanks to its multi-rotor system, it does not require a runway: the aircraft can ascend and descend almost vertically.
It features two passenger seats, with no pilot in the cabin. The route is set in advance, and the flight is performed automatically using navigation systems and satellite positioning. The maximum takeoff weight of the EH216-S is 620 kg.
As part of the project in Hoa Lac, plans also include developing an unmanned aerial vehicle traffic management system and establishing a flight control center. A separate focus area is the preparation of technical standards and operating regulations for this new mode of transport.
The EH216-S has already been certified in China. In 2023, Chinese aviation authorities approved the model for operation, and in 2024, EHang received approval for its mass production. In March 2025, EH216-S operators received the first permits for commercial passenger transport.
According to EHang, by August 2026, the company's aircraft had completed over 90,000 flights across 23 countries. The EH216-S has also participated in demonstration and test flights outside of China, including in Kazakhstan, Mexico, Qatar, and Switzerland.
The tests in Hanoi will mark EHang's first urban project in Vietnam. If the testing is successful, the parties plan to explore the commercial potential of such aircraft. The company is also considering further project development in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.