The handover ceremony took place at the Boeing Delivery Center in Seattle, Washington, and was witnessed by Vietnamese President Luong Cuong, along with senior leaders from both countries and business partners. The event coincided with the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-US diplomatic relations and two years since the establishment of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

The new aircraft will be used by Vietjet for regional flights and upcoming international routes, enhancing the travel experience for millions of passengers.

The aircraft handover signing ceremony between Boeing and Vietjet was witnessed by President Luong Cuong (fifth from right). Photo: Quang Nguyen

At the event, Dr. Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, President of Vietjet, stated that the first Boeing aircraft in this order represents nearly a decade of cooperation between the two companies.

"This event contributes to bilateral trade, a symbol of the Vietnam-US comprehensive strategic partnership. It benefits both economies and creates jobs," said Thao.

Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao, President of Vietjet, speaks at the aircraft handover ceremony. Photo: Quang Nguyen

Stephanie Pope, President and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, noted that the 737-8 will help the Vietnamese airline expand its network and operate new routes in Southeast Asia.

Vietnam and the US normalized relations on 12/7/1995 and elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023. Bilateral trade in 2024 reached nearly $150 billion, a 20.5% increase compared to the previous year. The US is currently Vietnam's second-largest trading partner and one of its most important export markets.

Handover ceremony of the first 737-8 aircraft between Boeing and Vietjet in Seattle (US). Photo: Quang Nguyen

The Boeing 737 MAX series has four main versions (7, 8, 9, 10), each with varying size and range, catering to diverse needs. Vietjet and Boeing previously signed an agreement for 200 B737 Max aircraft.

Thai Anh