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About Vietnam Airlines

A Quick Overview of Vietnam Airlines

Vietnam Airlines, officially Vietnam Airlines Joint Stock Company (Vietnamese: Hãng Hàng không Quốc gia Việt Nam), is the national flag carrier of Vietnam, renowned for its commitment to safety, service excellence, and cultural representation. Founded in 1956 as Vietnam Civil Aviation, it was restructured in 1993 and headquartered at Long Bien District, Hanoi. Operating primary hubs at Noi Bai International Airport (HAN) in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City, with a secondary hub at Da Nang International Airport (DAD), Vietnam Airlines serves over 60 destinations across 17 countries, including domestic routes and international cities in Asia, Europe, Oceania, and North America. A SkyTeam alliance member since 2010, the airline operates as part of the Vietnam Airlines Group, which includes subsidiaries Pacific Airlines, Vietnam Air Services Company (VASCO), and a joint venture with Cambodia Angkor Air. With a modern fleet of over 90 aircraft, a 4-Star Skytrax rating, and a historic role as the first Vietnamese carrier to offer direct flights to the U.S., Vietnam Airlines embodies the spirit of the lotus flower, symbolizing resilience and hospitality.

History and Milestones

Vietnam Airlines traces its roots to 1956, operating as a state-owned entity under the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam with Soviet-built aircraft like Antonov An-2s and Ilyushin Il-14s. Following Vietnam’s reunification in 1976, it inherited assets from Air Vietnam, including a Boeing 707 and 727. The airline began modernizing in 1990 with leased Boeing 767s and Airbus A320s, marking its transition to Western aircraft. In 1993, it was officially established as Vietnam Airlines, and by 1995, it joined the global aviation community as a state-owned enterprise.

Significant milestones include the 1997 introduction of a new livery on Boeing 767s and the 2001 acquisition of four Boeing 777-200ERs, a $680 million deal signaling U.S.-Vietnam trade under the Bilateral Trade Agreement. In 2009, Vietnam Airlines partnered with Cambodia to launch Cambodia Angkor Air and ordered 16 Airbus A321s and two A350s at the Paris Air Show. Joining SkyTeam in 2010 strengthened its global reach. The airline made history in 2021 by launching the first direct commercial flights from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco, a 19-hour route operated by Airbus A350-900s. In 2023, Vietnam Airlines carried 9 million passengers, achieving a $3.26 million after-tax profit, up 123% from 2021. In 2024, it finalized an $8 billion deal for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, with plans to acquire up to 100 narrow-body aircraft over the next decade, aiming to replace aging A321ceos.

Fleet

Vietnam Airlines operates a fleet of 92 aircraft, averaging 7.5 years in age, one of the youngest in the region. The fleet includes:

• Airbus A320/A321ceo/neo: Used for domestic and regional routes, offering efficiency and modern cabins.
• Airbus A350-900: Deployed on long-haul routes like Hanoi–London and Ho Chi Minh City–San Francisco, with advanced comfort features.
• Boeing 777-200ER: Flagship for medium- and long-haul flights, leased and purchased models.
• Boeing 787-9/10 Dreamliner: Operates key international routes, featuring fully flat Business Class seats and lower emissions.
• ATR 72-500 (VASCO): Serves domestic routes to smaller airports like Con Dao and Ca Mau.

The airline has orders for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8s, additional Airbus A321neos, and is exploring further acquisitions to reach 150 aircraft by 2030. Maintenance is handled by Vietnam Airlines Engineering Company (VAECO), with MRO facilities meeting European and U.S. standards.