Washington, United States: Vietnam Airlines, the national flag carrier of Vietnam, has formally agreed to purchase 50 Boeing 737-8 narrow-body aircraft in a major fleet modernization move valued at up to US $8.1 billion based on 2025 list pricing. The contract was signed on Thursday in Washington, D.C., during the official visit of General Secretary Tô Lâm to the United States.
The deal, witnessed by senior Vietnamese and U.S. officials, marks Vietnam Airlines’ first direct narrowbody acquisition from Boeing and represents a cornerstone of its long-term strategy to expand domestic and regional operations amid rising air travel demand.
Vietnam Airlines plans to take delivery of the Boeing 737-8 jets between 2030 and 2032. With this expansion, the carrier projects its total fleet will grow to approximately 151 aircraft by 2030, strengthening its ability to serve high-traffic domestic and short-haul international routes.
The airline’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Đặng Ngọc Hòa, said the investment underscores a “comprehensive and forward-looking” approach to fleet modernization, financial resilience, and human resource development. He emphasized that the new aircraft will enhance “operational performance and service standards” while deepening the airline’s long-standing partnership with Boeing.
The Boeing 737-8 is Boeing’s most versatile narrow-body jet, featuring advanced aerodynamics, CFM International LEAP-1B engines and next-generation winglets that deliver about 20 % better fuel efficiency and lower emissions than older aircraft models. Each jet can accommodate up to 200 passengers with a range of up to 6,570 km (approximately 3,550 nautical miles), making it suitable for VN’s dense short- and medium-haul market segments.
Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Stephanie Pope said the 737-8 will support Vietnam Airlines as it aligns the 737 MAX family with its existing Boeing 787 Dreamliner fleet to enhance connectivity across Asia.
Vietnam’s aviation market continues to expand rapidly, driven by robust economic growth and increasing mobility across Southeast Asia. Vietnam Airlines aims to maintain double-digit annual growth in key performance indicators, including passenger and cargo traffic, over the next five years.
Industry analysts note that the addition of the 737-8 will diversify Vietnam Airlines’ fleet, which currently consists primarily of Airbus A320 family aircraft in the narrowbody segment and Boeing 787 Dreamliners on long-haul services.
The Boeing order is part of a flurry of aerospace contracts signed by Vietnamese carriers in Washington this week. In related deals, Sun PhuQuoc Airways committed to purchasing 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners in a US$22.5 billion agreement, and Vietjet Air finalised financing for six Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
Vietnam Airlines is also in negotiations with Boeing for an additional 30 wide-body jets worth up to US$12 billion, aimed at bolstering its long-haul international network.
