From The Old Days History of Vietnam Airlines dates back to January 1956, when the Vietnam Civil Aviation Department was established by the Government, marking the birth of the civil aviation industry in Vietnam. At that time, the fleet was small with only five aircraft of IL-14, AN-2, Aero-45… which started to serve domestic flights in September 1956.
The 1976 – 1980 period witnessed the beginning of the airline’s expansion and efficient operation in Asian destinations of Laos, Cambodia and China (regular flights) and Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore (charter services). At the end of this period, Vietnam Civil Aviation became a member of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
April 1993 was a major turning point when Vietnam Airlines was officially established as the country’s national flag carrier. On the 27th May 1996, Vietnam Airlines Corporation was born with the gathering of 20 aviation businesses and the airline itself.
Innovation Taking Place On 20th October 2002, Vietnam Airlines introduced the new logo of the Golden Lotus and corporate identity that symbolized its dramatic progress towards becoming a world-class airline. The launch represented a complete repositioning and brand strategy of Vietnam Airlines, coupled with significant improvements in its infrastructure, operations and fleet.
The delivery of its first own “state-of-the-art” B777 in 2003 also marked a true revolution in the airline’s fleet modernization. Three years later, Vietnam Airlines became one of the most modern fleets in the region.
World-class Airline For 15 years of development with an average annual growth rate of over 10 percent (except 1997 when the Asian financial crisis broke out), the national flag carrier has marked an obvious advance to become a major competitor in the Asian aviation market, owning a modern fleet of Airbus and Boeing planes flown by well trained professionals.
Beginning with non-regular services between two domestic destinations, today Vietnam Airlines’ network extends to 20 cities throughout the country and 40 international destinations in the USA, Europe, Australia and Asia (including code-share services).
In 2006, after being awarded the IATA Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certificate, a strict safety standard set by Aviation Quality Services (AQS), Vietnam Airlines joined the International Air Transport Association (IATA) as an official member, affirming its international standard.
Moving Forward Positioning its internationally recognized brand as a young and modern carrier, Vietnam Airlines excelled further when - together with the Vietnam Aircraft Leasing Company of which Vietnam Airlines was an initiator and founder - signing largest purchase orders of 12 Boeing B787s, 10 Airbus A350-900, 20 Airbus A321 and 5 ATR72-500 aircraft in 2007. The airline is expected to reach 104 and 150 modern aircraft in 2015 and 2020, respectively, making solid steps integrating into the global aviation industry as a truly regional carrier of choice, which is fully ingrained with Vietnamese traditional culture.
With the aim to broaden our offers to customers, Vietnam Airlines has entered into alliance with a number of other airlines. With these code share corporations, we offer you additional destinations across the globe.
Code Share Partners
American Airlines
Code share agreement on flights between Narita-Chicago, Narita - Dallas Fort Worth, Narita - New York, Paris - Dallas Fort Worth, Paris - Chicago, Paris - Boston, Paris - Miami, Paris - New York, Frankfurt - Dallas Fort Worth, Frankfurt - Chicago, Dallas Fort Worth - Washington, Dallas Fort Worth - Oklahoma, Dallas Fort Worth - Boston, Dallas Fort Worth - Houston, Dallas Fort Worth - Denver, Dallas Fort Worth - Miami, Dallas Fort Worth - Atlanta.
Japan Airlines
Code share agreement on flights between Hanoi - Osaka, Hanoi - Narita, Ho Chi Minh City - Narita, Sapporo - Osaka, Osaka - Haneda, Fukuoka - Miyazaki, Hanoi - Nagoya, Ho Chi Minh City - Osaka, Ho Chi Minh City- Fukuoka
Korean Air
Code share agreement on flights between Hanoi - Seoul, Ho Chi Minh City - Seoul, Hanoi - Siem Reap
China Airlines
Code share agreement on flights between Taipei - Los Angeles, Taipei - San Francisco, Hanoi - Taipei, Ho Chi Minh City - Taipei
Cathay Pacific Code share agreement on flights between Ho Chi Minh City - Hong Kong, Hanoi - Hong Kong
Qantas Airways
Code share agreement on flights between Ho Chi Minh City - Sydney, Ho Chi Minh City - Melbourne
China Southern Airlines Code share agreement on flights between Ho Chi Minh City - Canton, Hanoi - Canton
Phillipines Airlines Code share agreement on flights between Ho Chi Minh City - Manila
Garuda Indonesia
Code share agreement on flights between Ho Chi Minh City - Singapore, Singapore - Jakarta
Lao Airlines Code share agreement on flights between Hanoi - Vientiane, Hanoi - Luang Prabang
Vasco Code share agreement on flights between Ho Chi Minh City - Chu Lai, Ho Chi Minh City - Con Dao, Ho Chi Minh City - Tuy Hoa, Ho Chi Minh City - Ca Mau
Cambodia Angkor Air Code share agreement on flights between Ho Chi Minh City - Siem Reap, Ho Chi Minh City - Phnom Penh, Phnom Penh - Siem Reap
Golden Lotus - the beauty that greets the dawn embracing the world!
On October 20th, 2002, Vietnam Airlines introduced a new logo and corporate identity that symbolized its dramatic progress towards becoming a world-class airline. The launch represented a complete repositioning and branding of Vietnam Airlines, coupled with significant improvements in its infrastructure, operations and fleet.
The new logo featured one of the most enduring and meaningful symbols of the Vietnamese people - the Lotus flower. Vietnamese people see the lotus as a symbol of their ancient culture and their ability to withstand great adversity and retain their unique traditions. The lotus is associated with the enlightenment and perfection. It is a common, yet noble and sacred flower. The gold color was chosen to show the high quality of our product and evoke a sense of luxury.
