In a rather splendid display of Parisian pageantry—with champagne flutes clinking and ink flowing smoother than a Concorde over the Channel—Vietnamese low-cost carrier Vietjet has once again made headlines. And not the sort that involves missing luggage or mystery meat sandwiches, but the big-league sort.
On the 17th of June 2025, under the grand arches of the Paris Air Show, Vietjet signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with aviation juggernaut Airbus for a whopping 100 A321neo aircraft. That’s right, 100 of them—with a sneaky clause allowing for 50 more, should the airline feel particularly frisky shortly.
The ceremonial flourish was sealed by Vietjet’s dashing CEO, Dinh Viet Phuong, alongside Airbus EVP of Sales, the equally polished Benoît de Saint-Exupéry—a man who sounds as if he should be flying a biplane in a cravat rather than negotiating billion-dollar aircraft orders.
“This new agreement marks a significant milestone in our strategic partnership with Airbus,” declared Vietjet Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao. “These modern and efficient aircraft have helped make air travel more accessible and affordable for millions,” she added, with no small hint of national pride and corporate ambition.
Indeed, if air travel were a horse race, Vietjet has just bolted to the front of the pack with this flashy new saddle.
A Green Wing and a Nod to the Future
Let’s get into the nuts and bolts, shall we? The Airbus A321neo is no slouch. As the largest of the A320neo family, it’s the aviation equivalent of a Swiss Army knife—versatile, efficient, and just a little bit clever. It delivers a thumping 20% fuel savings compared to its predecessors, not to mention a 50% reduction in noise. So if you’re the sort who complains about aircraft droning overhead during your Sunday arvo nap—good news, these ones whisper.
Better still, the A321neo comes SAF-ready. That’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel, not the other kind of SAF you’d need at a footy final. These aircraft are designed to operate on a blend of up to 50% SAF, with Airbus aiming for 100% SAF compatibility by 2030. Frankly, if planes could wear capes, this one would.
And Vietjet’s not just buying jets—it’s buying clout, capability, and carbon-consciousness in a market that’s screaming for greener skies.
An Empire in the Air
Operating a fleet that already boasts over 100 Airbus aircraft, Vietjet is no stranger to the Toulouse manufacturer’s handiwork. But this latest move signals more than just expansion—it’s a strategic play for regional dominance and long-haul legitimacy.
“Our latest agreement comes just weeks after the airline placed an additional order for A330neo widebody aircraft,” noted Saint-Exupéry with an almost Gallic shrug. “Together the A321neo and A330neo will be perfect partners for Vietjet to continue to spread its wings.”
Translation: Vietjet isn’t just playing in the low-cost paddock anymore. It’s strapping on jet-powered ambitions and eyeballing the big skies—Asia, Europe, perhaps even Australia (brace yourself, Qantas).
Growing the Vietjet Village
Founded in 2007, Vietjet has always danced to its own tune—spunky, budget-savvy, and occasionally irreverent. But behind the bubbly public persona is a strategy that’s both methodical and merciless.
With this Airbus order, Vietjet is not just growing its fleet—it’s bolstering its position as a connector of economies, a promoter of cultural exchange, and, quite frankly, a very good neighbour with a very big toolbox.
It’s also giving a rather clear message to the competition: buckle up, because this isn’t just about seats in the sky—it’s about staking a claim in the future of aviation.
Final Boarding Call
So, what’s next? Well, if history is any guide, Vietjet will be parading its new A321neos in livery more colourful than a Lunar New Year dragon and zipping off to destinations far beyond Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi.
And Airbus? Well, they’ll be laughing all the way to the bank, once again proving that even in the jet age, French flair and engineering still have the Midas touch.
Meanwhile, back on the tarmac, those of us who remember flying when the pilot lit up a cigar in the cockpit can only marvel. The skies are cleaner, the planes are quieter, and the ambitions are, fittingly, sky-high.
Bon voyage, Vietjet. You’ve well and truly arrived.
By Christine Nguyen
