The seminar on Vietnam - US aviation cooperation took place on 12/9 in Hanoi. According to Stephen Green, Commercial Counselor at the US Embassy in Vietnam, strengthening air transport connectivity not only promotes trade and investment but also contributes to innovation, safety, security, and people-to-people ties between the two countries.
Vietnam's aviation sector is among the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia. The national airport system development master plan aims for 30 airports by 2030 and 33 by 2050, with a focus on technology application and public-private partnerships. Several Vietnamese airlines have recently signed agreements with US partners in areas such as direct flights, codesharing, cargo transportation, aircraft technical services, technology, and personnel training.
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Vietnam - US Aviation Cooperation Seminar. Photo: T&T Group |
Vietnam - US Aviation Cooperation Seminar. Photo: T&T Group
At the event, both sides acknowledged significant potential for collaboration. Vietnamese businesses can access international technology, experience, and management standards, while US companies gain entry to a rapidly growing market.
US Deputy Chief of Mission, Courtney Beale, emphasized that expanding aviation partnerships not only boosts the economy but also elevates safety and security standards and increases connectivity. T&T Group is well-positioned, developing a comprehensive aviation ecosystem encompassing airlines, airports, and a modern airport-city complex.
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Do Vinh Quang, Vice Chairman of T&T Group and Chairman of Vietravel Airlines, speaks at the seminar. Photo: T&T Group |
Do Vinh Quang, Vice Chairman of T&T Group and Chairman of Vietravel Airlines, speaks at the seminar. Photo: T&T Group
Do Vinh Quang, Vice Chairman of T&T Group and Chairman of Vietravel Airlines, stated that collaboration with US partners is a long-term strategy for T&T Group. In aviation, T&T and Vietravel Airlines are pursuing an integrated airline group model centered on technology, international management, and customer experience. The company hopes that partnerships with US companies will facilitate sustainable growth, contributing to Vietnam's appeal as a destination and its connectivity with the region and the world.
Corporations like Amazon Web Services, Corgan, and GE Aerospace shared their expertise in airport operations, smart airport models, flight services, and terminal design and management at the seminar. These are areas where US partners excel and align with T&T Group's interests for future collaboration.
T&T's strategy goes beyond a single airline or infrastructure project, aiming to build an integrated airline group, a model adopted by international groups such as Singapore Airlines Group, Lufthansa Group, Qatar Airways, and Emirates Group. The foundation for this ecosystem is taking shape with several key components.
T&T Airlines is positioned to provide aviation services such as transportation, travel agency services, flight operations, and support activities. Quang Tri Airport, a key project in central Vietnam invested in by T&T, broke ground in July 2024. The 265-hectare project, with a total investment of over 5,800 billion VND, aims to achieve 4C status, capable of handling Code E aircraft, with a capacity of 5 million passengers and 25,500 tons of cargo annually. Quang Tri Province recently proposed upgrading the standard to 4E to accommodate wide-body aircraft like the Boeing 777 and Airbus A350, serving international connections and the development of the North Central region. Phase one is expected to be completed in 2026.
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Rendering of Quang Tri Airport. Photo: T&T Group |
Rendering of Quang Tri Airport. Photo: T&T Group
T&T is also exploring a 10,800-hectare aviation-logistics-services-trade-airport city complex in Quang Tri. This area will include aircraft maintenance, aircraft parts manufacturing and assembly, a logistics center, an aviation innovation zone, and an airport city.
In flight operations, the group has become a strategic shareholder of Vietravel Airlines. Since the partnership, the airline has steadily expanded its fleet and is actively negotiating with manufacturers and international airlines for further expansion. The goal is to have 30-50 aircraft by 2030, with a network covering Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the Middle East. Vietravel Airlines is a crucial element in completing T&T's internationally modeled aviation ecosystem.
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Welcoming ceremony for Vietravel Airlines' second aircraft. Photo: T&T Group |
Welcoming ceremony for Vietravel Airlines' second aircraft. Photo: T&T Group
T&T Group and its member companies are continuously expanding their strategic cooperation with US partners. In February, the group met with Boeing, expressing mutual interest and agreeing in principle for T&T to become Boeing's strategic partner in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Previously, in 9/2021, the company signed contracts and memorandums of understanding with US partners in renewable energy, agricultural product procurement, and exclusive distribution of certain functional food brands. The company has a presence in the US through T&T US, with real estate projects in Huntington Beach and Brookhurst, California, and is exploring further investment in the area.
These activities are expected to expand T&T Group's global value chain, promote foreign direct investment from the US to Vietnam, increase consumption of related products and services, and enhance bilateral cooperation.
Tue Anh
