Vietnamese airlines are embarking on major recruitment drives for cabin crew, signaling robust expansion and a strong recovery in the country's aviation sector. This hiring surge is primarily driven by plans to expand fleets and restore flight networks following the pandemic.

Vietnam Airlines, the national carrier, announced plans to add approximately 500 cabin crew in Quarter I alone to serve its domestic and international routes. The total recruitment target for 2026 is over 1,200 people, marking one of the airline's largest recruitment drives to date. This increase in personnel is crucial as the airline prepares to expand its fleet and network. Vietnam Airlines has signed a contract to purchase 50 Boeing 737-8 aircraft and is discussing with partners the potential addition of about 30 wide-body aircraft to increase operational capacity on medium and long-haul routes.

Other airlines are also restarting their recruitment plans. Bamboo Airways aims to recruit about 1,000 cabin crew starting from 2026. The airline plans to increase its fleet by 8-10 aircraft annually until 2030, aiming to restore its fleet size to approximately 30 aircraft. After more than two years of restructuring, Bamboo Airways currently operates 8 Airbus A320/A321 aircraft and 12 domestic routes. The airline has suspended regular international flights, operating only charter services.

Similarly, Vietjet Air is increasing its personnel needs as it adds new aircraft. On 4/4, the airline launched a cabin crew recruitment drive at Vietjet Aviation Academy in TP HCM, aiming to hire about 100 people. These recruits will be based in Da Nang, Cam Ranh, or flexibly in TP HCM and Ha Noi.

Vietnam Airlines cabin crew and pilots before boarding a flight. Photo: VNA

Airlines emphasize that this simultaneous recruitment effort is linked to fleet expansion and network recovery after the pandemic. As international routes gradually restore and flight frequencies increase, the demand for flight operations personnel also rises.

Le Hong Ha, General Director of Vietnam Airlines, stated that the airline is accelerating early recruitment and training of cabin crew to prepare human resources for the upcoming growth phase. Successful candidates will receive professional and aviation safety training before serving on flights.

According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV), the aviation sector transported 83,5 million passengers in 2025, an increase of 10,7% compared to the previous year, setting a new record high. International passengers reached 46,6 million, up 12%, while cargo volume reached approximately 1,3 million tons, an increase of 22%.

Currently, Vietnamese airlines operate 113 international routes, connecting Vietnam with numerous aviation hubs in Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Europe, and Oceania. In the domestic market, air transport in 2025 served 36,9 million passengers, up 8,4%, with about 55 routes connecting Ha Noi and TP HCM with 20 airports nationwide.

The CAAV forecasts that total transport volume in 2026 could reach approximately 95 million passengers and over 1,6 million tons of cargo, increasing by 13,6% and 9,3% respectively compared to 2025. To meet this growth momentum, the regulatory body stated it will accelerate airport infrastructure investment, support airlines in adding aircraft, diversify aircraft leasing and purchasing methods, and enhance domestic maintenance capabilities to reduce reliance on international markets.

A report by MB Securities (MBS) suggests that Vietnam's aviation industry is likely to continue growing as international passenger numbers recover. Visa exemption policies, a stable political environment, and competitive travel costs make Vietnam an attractive destination in the region. In the domestic market, travel demand is expected to increase steadily due to short-term tourism trends and improved incomes. MBS forecasts domestic passenger traffic through airports could reach approximately 75 million in 2026, up about 5% from the previous year.

However, the research group also noted that competition among airlines may intensify as fleet expansion outpaces passenger growth. The entry of new airlines like Sun PhuQuoc Airways, along with existing airlines' expansion plans, could further fragment market share on some domestic routes.

According to the International Air Transport Association (IATA), Vietnam is among the world's fastest-growing aviation markets, with passenger numbers potentially reaching about 150 million by 2035.

Thi Ha