Vietjet and Thales strengthen Vietnam–France cooperation in advanced aviation technology

Agreements covering MRO, digital aviation, AI and cybersecurity deepen strategic economic and technology ties between Vietnam and France

Paris, September 13, 2026 – During the official visit to France by Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, Vietjet and Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies in aerospace, signed major cooperation agreements covering repair and maintenance solutions, digital aviation, artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity.

The signing took place at the Élysée Palace in Paris in the presence of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside senior leaders and business representatives from both countries.

Vietjet and Thales exchange agreements covering MRO and digital aviation at the Élysée Palace in Paris in the presence of Vietnam’s General Secretary and President To Lam, French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: Vietnam News Agency)

As part of this strategic Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) contract, Thales will provide comprehensive component maintenance services for Vietjet’s Airbus fleet, including A320/A321, A321neo/A321XLR, A330 and A330neo aircraft. The partnership will enhance technical reliability and fleet availability while optimizing costs and operational efficiency. Vietjet and Thales also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) around digital aviation, avionics, cybersecurity and AI-enhanced airline operations. The cooperation will explore secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics and decision-support technologies to airline operations.

The agreements mark a new milestone in the Vietjet–Thales partnership and carry practical significance for economic, technology and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and France under the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Nguyen Thanh Son, CEO of Vietjet, said: “Our partnership with Thales will not only enhance the reliability, safety and operational efficiency of Vietjet’s fleet, but also open up new areas of cooperation in digital technology, AI and cybersecurity. Together with leading French partners, we look forward to connecting technological expertise with a dynamic aviation market, contributing to stronger trade, investment and ties between Vietnam and France.”

"With Thales’ 30-year presence in Vietnam, we are honored by Vietjet’s continued trust. We look forward to supporting the airline in its next phase of growth through innovation, advanced technology and operational excellence,” said Pascale Sourisse, CEO of Thales International.

From aviation MRO to AI, data and cybersecurity, Vietjet and Thales are broadening a long-standing partnership that brings together French technological expertise and the growth potential of Vietnam and the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietjet aircraft

With a modern fleet and an expanding international network, Vietjet continues to invest in technology, infrastructure and aviation talent, connecting Vietnam with destinations across the Asia-Pacific region and progressively extending its reach into Europe. Through these efforts, the airline is helping advance trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam, France and the wider world.