Boeing aims to strengthen ties with Vietnamese partners

Boeing Commercial Airplanes, a division of the U.S.-based Boeing Company, has reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with Vietnamese airlines as part of its efforts to deepen long-term cooperation with Vietnamese partners.

Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, made the affirmation while meeting with Vietnamese President Luong Cuong in Seattle on Sunday morning (local time) during the latter’s visit to the U.S.

Welcoming the Vietnamese President and his delegation to Boeing’s headquarters in Seattle, Pope described the visit as a great honor and a clear reflection of the growing strategic partnership between the U.S. and Vietnam.

Discussing Boeing’s strategic direction and commitments in Vietnam, she confirmed that the company would continue close coordination with Vietnamese airline executives to operationalize existing agreements, thereby further strengthening its partnership with the country.

According to Pope, Vietnam currently operates 17 Boeing aircraft through national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines, while Vietjet has placed orders for over 200 aircraft, with the first deliveries scheduled for this occasion. She emphasized that these developments underline the critical importance of the Southeast Asian market for Boeing’s global operations.

President Cuong echoed Pope’s sentiments, noting that U.S.-Vietnam relations have entered a new phase of robust development, especially following the upgrade to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. He affirmed that Vietnam’s dynamic economy makes it a promising market for Boeing’s modern aircraft.

The President praised Boeing’s business achievements and its ongoing support for Vietnam’s aviation sector, expressing satisfaction over the timely delivery of new aircraft to Vietnamese partners. He urged Boeing to maintain close coordination to ensure that all signed orders are delivered on schedule with effective financing and operational plans.

Looking ahead, President Cuong encouraged Boeing to explore investment in manufacturing facilities and to consider establishing a regional-scale maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) center in Vietnam.

Such initiatives would not only serve the domestic market but also cater to Southeast Asia as a whole, he said, calling for greater support in integrating Vietnamese enterprises into Boeing’s global supply chain, laying the groundwork for long-term, sustainable cooperation.

The leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to creating a favorable and legally sound environment for U.S. investors, particularly Boeing, to operate effectively and sustainably in the country.

The same morning, President Cuong attended the handover ceremony of a Boeing aircraft to Vietnam’s budget carrier Vietjet at Boeing’s factory in Seattle.

The event, held in celebration of the 30th anniversary of the normalization of Vietnam-U.S. relations, marked not only a significant milestone in the partnership between Vietjet and Boeing, but also served as a vivid demonstration of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two nations. The agreement is expected to boost bilateral trade and investment while generating hundreds of thousands of jobs in the U.S.

At the ceremony, Vietjet officially received its first Boeing 737-8 aircraft, part of a landmark order for 200 planes valued at $25 billion.

This new aircraft will be deployed on high-demand regional routes, enhancing the travel experience for millions of passengers. It also represents a key step in Vietjet’s long-term strategy to expand its global flight network and strengthen its commitment to sustainable growth both regionally and internationally.

Speaking at the event, Vietjet chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao emphasized that the delivery of the first Boeing aircraft from the historic order marks a major step forward in the nearly decade-long partnership between the two companies, and stands as a new symbol of Vietnam-U.S. relations.

Stephanie Pope, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, stated that Boeing is proud to support Vietjet, one of the most dynamic and innovative new-generation airlines in the region.

This delivery marks the beginning of future shipments and reaffirms the strong relationship between Boeing and Vietjet, contributing to the Vietnam-U.S. trade growth, Pope said.

The Boeing 737-8 will enable the airline to expand its route network, open new services across Southeast Asia, and further strengthen its position as one of the region’s most dynamic new-age carriers, she added.