At the signing ceremony. Photo by VGP.
Vietnam and France have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral aviation cooperation with the signing of Annex VI of the Technical Cooperation Agreement between the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) and the French Directorate General for Civil Aviation (DGAC). The signing took place on April 9 at the headquarters of Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction, witnessed by French Ambassador Olivier Brochet and Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan.
The newly signed annex marks a significant step in the long-standing partnership between the two countries. Under the agreement, the French side will assist Vietnam in developing a strategic roadmap to manage the rapid growth of its aviation industry in the coming years. As the sector expands, both in passenger volume and operational complexity, this collaboration aims to ensure that Vietnam’s aviation infrastructure and regulatory capacity keep pace with demand.
France will provide targeted support to enhance Vietnam’s oversight capabilities, including regulatory supervision of airlines and maintenance organizations. The DGAC will also help CAAV build internal training programs to develop qualified aviation safety inspectors. This aligns with Vietnam’s broader plan to transition toward a risk-based safety oversight model, a global best practice already adopted by leading aviation authorities.
In a key initiative, the DGAC will support the establishment of an effective National Aviation Safety Program for Vietnam. This program is designed to identify and mitigate systemic risks in the country’s air transport network, thereby improving overall safety performance. Additionally, France will offer tailored technical training to strengthen the competencies of safety personnel within CAAV’s Flight Safety Standards Division.
Speaking at the event, French Ambassador Olivier Brochet emphasized France’s willingness to accompany Vietnam in developing a modern, safe, and sustainable aviation sector. He highlighted France’s strengths in financial capacity, human resources, and technology, areas where it can contribute significantly to Vietnam’s ambitions.
Deputy Minister Le Anh Tuan welcomed the renewed cooperation and urged continued close collaboration between CAAV and DGAC to effectively implement the technical support agreement. He also recognised the critical role this partnership plays in Vietnam’s broader infrastructure modernization efforts.
Currently, Vietnam Airlines and Air France are the two main carriers operating regular flights between Vietnam and France. Airbus, a European aerospace giant, remains the largest aircraft supplier for Vietnamese airlines. Both sides are also working together on a long-term fleet modernization plan, looking ahead to 2030 and beyond.
In addition to regulatory and operational support, the partnership has expanded into infrastructure planning. French engineering firm ADPi recently secured contracts to review the detailed planning of several key Vietnamese airports, Danang, Cam Ranh, Phu Quoc, and Con Dao, for the period 2021–2030, with a vision toward 2050. The firm is also leading the master planning of Noi Bai International Airport under a nearly €570,000 French government-funded project.
