Vietnam Airlines shows country's soft borders: PM

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam Airlines' growth reflects Vietnam’s rising soft power on the global stage, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at the national carrier’s 30th anniversary ceremony in Hanoi on June 1.

Over the past three decades, the airline has played a pivotal role in national aviation, diplomacy, and humanitarian efforts. It has transported over 350 million passengers and 4.7 million tons of cargo across nearly 100 routes in 53 countries and territories.

As a member of SkyTeam, one of the world’s top airline alliances, Vietnam Airlines connects the country to more than 1,000 global destinations.

The Prime Minister praised Vietnam Airlines for enhancing the country’s international image and urged the carrier to lead in digital transformation and green growth. He also highlighted the airline’s contribution to Vietnam’s cultural diplomacy, citing its golden lotus logo, ao dai uniforms, and signature in-flight hospitality as powerful representations of Vietnamese heritage.

At the ceremony, Vietnam Airlines was awarded the Prime Minister’s Certificate of Merit for its contributions to the nation’s socioeconomic development and global integration.

The airline’s humanitarian missions include evacuation flights from Libya, emergency support to Japan, and hundreds of relief flights during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between 1995 and 2024, it contributed VND68 trillion (US$2.66 billion) to the state budget.

In 2024, the group posted consolidated revenue of VND113 trillion (US$4.42 billion) and a record after-tax profit of VND7.96 trillion (US$311.4 million). It has earned international accolades, including a 4-star Skytrax rating, 5-star APEX status, and multiple industry awards for service quality and innovation.