Vietnam Airlines Secures $2.9 Billion EXIM Backing for 50 Boeing 737 MAX 8 Jets

The order formalized a non-binding MoU first signed during U.S. President Joe Biden's visit to Vietnam in September 2023 .

Fleet Strategy and Growth Targets

The 737 MAX 8s will be Vietnam Airlines' first Boeing single-aisle aircraft — its existing Boeing fleet consists only of 787 Dreamliners . Adding the 737-8 will enable the carrier to expand domestic and regional networks as air travel demand in Southeast Asia continues to rise . The carrier plans to grow to around 151 planes by 2030 , targets double-digit average annual growth over five years, and aims to transport approximately 168 million passengers and 2.25 million tons of cargo during that period . Vietnam Airlines has stated it needs about 60 new narrow-body aircraft by 2030 and 100 by 2035 .

Unique Position Among Vietnamese Carriers

Vietnam Airlines is the first and only Vietnamese airline to receive EXIM export credit guarantees for aircraft acquisition financing . The airline has used similar EXIM guarantee arrangements previously for its purchases of Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft . This exclusive position reflects the long-standing financing cooperation between the flag carrier and EXIM on U.S.-manufactured aircraft programs .

Broader U.S.-Vietnam Aviation Context

The EXIM commitment and the 50-plane order were part of a wave of deals during high-level diplomatic visits:

• September 2023 — MoU signed during President Biden's visit to Hanoi .
• February 2026 — The order was finalized in Washington, D.C., during Communist Party General Secretary To Lam's visit, with U.S. and Vietnamese government officials witnessing the signing .
• That same week, three Vietnamese carriers announced deals for nearly 100 Boeing jets: Vietnam Airlines (50 x 737 MAX), Sun PhuQuoc Airways (40 x 787 Dreamliners valued at $22.5 billion), and VietJet (6 x 737s via a $965 million financing agreement) .
• EXIM has also indicated willingness to explore financing for other Vietnam Airlines projects involving U.S. goods and services, including aircraft engines, MRO facilities, and aviation infrastructure .

The combined deals represent one of the largest civil aviation commitments by Vietnamese carriers and underscore deepening U.S.-Vietnam commercial aerospace ties .