Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung has called on Airbus to consider setting up an aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) center in Vietnam, particularly near the under-construction Long Thanh and Gia Binh international airports, as the country seeks to expand its aviation industry.
Hung made the call during a meeting with Airbus's president international Wouter van Wersch in Hanoi on Wednesday, marking 40 years since the European aircraft manufacturer began operating in Vietnam.
The PM praised Airbus's four decades of cooperation with Vietnam, noting that the company supplies a substantial portion of the fleets operated by Vietnamese airlines and has also partnered with the country in satellite observation.
Vietnam's population of more than 100 million, rising incomes and large-scale infrastructure investment are creating substantial demand for aviation development and fleet expansion, Hung said. Major projects include Long Thanh and Gia Binh international airports, alongside new economic zones and logistics infrastructure.
He urged Airbus to deepen its partnership with Vietnam through projects commensurate with the country's growing aviation ambitions and the company's capabilities. Cooperation should cover aerospace projects, technology development and transfer, research, high-skilled workforce training, manufacturing capacity, aviation safety oversight, and flight operations, Hung elaborated.
In addition to considering an MRO center in Vietnam, Hung called on Airbus to support Vietnamese airlines in implementing existing aircraft supply agreements as they expand their fleets and open new routes. He also urged the aircraft maker to work closely with Vietnamese authorities to advance cooperation in the space sector.
The prime minister noted he expected Airbus to help promote France to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Hung reaffirmed the Vietnamese government's commitment to improving the business environment and facilitating foreign investment in accordance with Vietnamese law. He expressed confidence that the partnership with Airbus would enter a more substantive and productive phase after 40 years of cooperation.
Wouter van Wersch, for his part, said Vietnam plays an important role in Airbus's global success. Around 230 Airbus aircraft are currently in operation in Vietnam, with another 220 expected to enter service in the coming years, he revealed.
He said Vietnam's continued investment in aviation infrastructure, including Long Thanh and Gia Binh airports, and the development of a broader aviation ecosystem would create significant opportunities for Airbus.
The executive described Vietnam as a top priority for the group, affirming Airbus’s desire to strengthen its long-term partnership with the country beyond aircraft supply, including efforts to build local industry capabilities.
Marking the 40th anniversary of its presence in Vietnam, Airbus reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the country through cooperation in commercial aviation, space and industrial manufacturing, technology transfer, and manpower development. The group also expressed interest in expanding collaboration in digital transformation and artificial intelligence.
The under-construction Gia Binh International Airport project is located in Bac Ninh city, a neighbor of Hanoi. It has a total estimated investment of more than VND196 trillion ($7.51 billion), with phase one requiring approximately VND146.2 trillion ($5.6 billion).
The development will be carried out in two phases. In phase 1, from now to 2027, essential facilities will be completed to serve the APEC Summit in 2027. From 2026-2030, remaining phase 1 works will be finalized to ensure full operational capacity of 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo per year.
For phase 2, from 2031-2050, construction will focus on expanding capacity to 50 million passengers and 2.5 million tons of cargo annually.
The Long Thanh International Airport project is located in Dong Nai province, a neighbor of Ho Chi Minh City.
The first passenger flights touched down at Long Thanh airport on December 19, 2025, marking the inaugural civil aviation operation at Vietnam’s largest airport.
Phase one will see the terminal have a capacity of 25 million passengers per year and also handle 1.2 million tons of cargo annually. Phase 2, scheduled by 2035, will expand capacity to 50 million passengers and 1.5 million tons of cargo by adding a second runway and terminal.
In the final phase, Long Thanh is expected to reach full operational capacity of 100 million passengers and five million tons of cargo per year by 2050.
-sm.jpg)
