Vietnam Airlines is Vietnam’s national passenger airline. Its history extends from the establishment of the country’s civil aviation authority in 1956 to a state-owned air transport enterprise formed in 1993 and a later international network within SkyTeam.[1]Vietnam Airlines historyVietnam Airlines · vietnamairlines.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]SkyTeam tenth anniversary and membership expansionKLM / SkyTeam · news.klm.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Early civil aviation
Vietnam Airlines traces its origins to January 1956, when the government established the civil aviation authority. The initial fleet comprised five propeller aircraft, including Il-14, An-2 and Aero 45 types, and domestic flying began that September. International route expansion between 1976 and 1980 connected Vietnam with several Asian countries, including Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and Singapore.[1]Vietnam Airlines historyVietnam Airlines · vietnamairlines.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Corporate formation and identity
The national carrier became a state-owned air transport enterprise in April 1993. Vietnam Airlines Corporation followed in May 1995, combining the airline with supporting aviation businesses. The Golden Lotus logo was introduced in 2002, followed by the first Boeing 777 in 2003 as part of fleet modernisation.[1]Vietnam Airlines historyVietnam Airlines · vietnamairlines.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
International cooperation
Vietnam Airlines joined SkyTeam in 2010. Its addition formed part of an expansion that also brought other airlines into full alliance membership during SkyTeam’s tenth-anniversary year. The partnership connected Vietnam Airlines with the networks and customer programmes of other members, complementing the carrier’s directly operated international services.[2]SkyTeam tenth anniversary and membership expansionKLM / SkyTeam · news.klm.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
ANA Holdings became a strategic investor in July 2016, adding another form of international cooperation alongside alliance membership.[1]Vietnam Airlines historyVietnam Airlines · vietnamairlines.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Widebody renewal
Vietnam Airlines introduced the Airbus A350-900 and Boeing 787-9 in 2015. Airbus identifies it as the second airline worldwide to operate the A350. The aircraft family provided additional long-haul capability as the airline developed its international operation. In September 2016 the carrier signed a memorandum for ten further A350s, citing its experience with the type since entry into service; the memorandum represented an intention to acquire additional aircraft rather than a delivery event.[1]Vietnam Airlines historyVietnam Airlines · vietnamairlines.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[3]Vietnam Airlines signs memorandum for additional A350sAirbus · airbus.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details