Vietnam’s carriers VietJet and Bamboo Airways signed agreements worth total US$15.6 billion with US aircraft manufacturer Boeing on February 27 during US President Donald Trump’s visit to Hanoi. 
VietJet President and CEO Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao and Boeing President & CEO Kevin McAllister at the signing ceremony with the presence of the presidents. Photo: VietJet
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Speaking at the signing ceremony, Boeing Commercial Airplanes President & CEO Kevin McAllister said that the economic expansion in Hanoi and across Vietnam is impressive. "VietJet and the country’s burgeoning aviation sector are clearly enablers, helping to stimulate travel within Vietnam and connecting Vietnam with the rest of Asia. We are proud to support this economic development, which in turn supports engineering and manufacturing jobs in the United States."
VietJet signed a deal to buy 100 Boeing 737 MAX narrow-body jets when former US President Barack Obama visited Hanoi in 2016, setting the mark for the largest commercial jet purchase in Vietnam’s aviation sector, and making the airline currently the largest customer of the B737 MAX model in Asia.
VietJet Vice Chairman Nguyen Thanh Hung and General Electric General Manager Allen Paxson in the ceremony on February 27. Photo: VietJet
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The two top leaders also witnessed the signing contract between Boeing and newly launched Bamboo Airways. Accordingly, Bamboo will purchase 10 wide-bodied 787 planes or Dreamliners worth $2.9 billion.
Bamboo, owned by property and leisure company FLC Group, had placed a provisional order last year for 20 Boeing 787 wide-body jets worth $5.6 billion at list prices, and Wednesday’s deal is not part of that.
Bamboo is also in talks to buy 25 narrow-bodied Boeing 737 planes, FLC Chairman Trinh Van Quyet told Reuters.
Bamboo Airways Chairman Trinh Van Quyet and Boeing President and CEO Kevin McAllister. Photo: FLC Group
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Vietnam’s airlines are expanding their fleets and demand for flights in Vietnam is also expected to climb after U.S. regulators last month gave their approval to the nation’s air-safety system, making its airlines eligible to begin direct flights to the U.S. and codeshare with American carriers.
