The agreements were concluded on February 18th in Washington. The package of documents was signed in the presence of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, as part of his working visit to the United States. The list of key agreements includes: 90 new Boeing airliners, the launch of the Starlink satellite network across the country, and the purchase of unique medical equipment to fight cancer.
Aviation: 90 New Aircraft for Vietnam
The main beneficiaries were American aircraft manufacturers. Vietnamese carriers are beginning a large-scale fleet renewal:
- Vietnam Airlines officially confirmed the purchase of 50 Boeing 737-8 airliners. The deal amounted to $8.1 billion. This is the first order for modern narrow-body aircraft from the American manufacturer for Vietnam Airlines. In recent decades, the company has used exclusively European Airbus for regional flights within Asia.
- Sun PhuQuoc Airways, a new player in the market, also signed a contract to purchase 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. This will allow the company to increase the number of long-haul flights and stimulate the development of tourism.
- Vietnamese budget airline Vietjet signed an agreement with Pratt & Whitney (a subsidiary of RTX Corporation) for the purchase of engines and maintenance for 44 Airbus A321NEO and A321XLR aircraft. The low-cost carrier also attracted financing from Griffin Global Asset Management to obtain another 6 Boeing 737-8 aircraft.
Starlink Enters Vietnam
A breakthrough was the issuance of licenses to Elon Musk's company. Starlink Services Vietnam received official permission to operate in the country.
- The company will provide satellite internet (both stationary and mobile) to hard-to-reach areas, islands, and mountainous territories.
- Plans include the construction of four ground communication stations. For Vietnam, this is a strategic project: it will allow the creation of reliable backup communication channels and accelerate the digitalization of the entire economy.
Medicine: Fighting Cancer at a New Level
Vietnam will become the first country in Asia to implement the Mevion S250-FIT proton therapy system.
- The Tam Anh clinic signed a contract with the American Mevion Medical Systems for the purchase of the Mevion S250-FIT proton therapy system – the most advanced cancer treatment technology in the United States.
- This technology allows for the targeted destruction of tumors, practically without damaging the healthy tissues around them. Until now, Vietnamese patients had to fly to the United States or Europe for such treatment.
Conclusion
The renewal of the aircraft fleet, the launch of Starlink, and the introduction of new medical systems highlight the high pace of development in Vietnam. These projects provide access to advanced technologies, contribute to economic growth, and improve the quality of life in the country.