[6] From its inception until the early 1990s, Vietnam Airlines was a minor carrier within the aviation industry as it was hampered by a variety of factors including the socio-economic and political situation of the country.

With the government's normalization of relations with the United States, the airline could expand, improve its products and services, and modernize its ageing fleet.

[11] As passenger transport constitutes its core activity, Vietnam Airlines plays a crucial role in the economic development of the country.

Vietnam Airlines became a member of SkyTeam in June 2010, making it the first Southeast Asian carrier to have joined that alliance.

As of September 2021,[update] the State's stake in Vietnam Airlines is 86.34%, All Nippon Airways holds 5.62%, being a strategic shareholder of the national flag carrier.

[17] Under the designation 919th Transport Air Force Regiment (Trung đoàn Không quân vận tải 919),[18] the airline was created as part of the air force for civilian purposes with support from both the Soviet Union and China; initially, its fleet consisted of two Lisunov Li-2s that were later replaced by two Ilyushin Il-14 and three Aero Ae-45s.

[22] During that year, the airline was known as General Department of Civil Aviation in Vietnam, and began full operations; it carried around 21,000 passengers, one-third of whom were on international flights, and 3,000 tonnes (6,600,000 lb) of cargo.

[21]: 31 [23][27] By that time the route network had further expanded internationally, seeing the incorporation of destinations such as Paris, Tokyo, Seoul, Taipei, Sydney, and Melbourne.

[23] Also from 1993 to 1995, the 919th Air Force Regiment was eventually re-established as the Flight Crew Division 919 (Đoàn bay 919) - the designation that is still being used by the Vietnam Airlines and its personnel until today - marking the carrier's full transformation from a nominal military unit into a wholly civilian and commercial operator.

[18][31] In February 1994, US President Bill Clinton lifted the trade embargo to allow Vietnam Airlines the ability to acquire Western-built aircraft.

[26] By April 1995, the fleet consisted of nine Airbus A320s (all of them leased from Air France), 11 Antonov An-24s, four ATR72s, two Boeing 707-300s, three Ilyushin Il-18s, nine Tupolev Tu-134s and three Yakovlev Yak-40s;[nb 1] at this time the route network comprised 14 domestic destinations (including Ban Me Thuot, Da Nang, Dien Bien Phu, Hue, Nha Trang, Phu Quoc and Pleiku) and 16 international destinations (including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore).

[35] Two Fokker 70s were purchased in mid-1995 for US$50 million;[36] they were aimed at partly replacing the Tupolev Tu-134 fleet on domestic routes as well as at serving as VIP transport.

[21]: 31 [43] On 3 September 1997, the crash of a Tupolev Tu-134B, on approach to Phnom Penh's Pochentong Airport in bad weather, resulted in more than 60 fatalities.

[79][80] The joint-venture was a new Cambodian national airline named Cambodia Angkor Air, which started flying in July the same year,[81] using ATR-72 aircraft;[78] an Airbus A321 joined the fleet in September.

[85] On 26 August 2010, the airline teamed up with Boeing during the unveiling of its interior modernization programme to increase passenger comfort.

[86] From late September to early October, Vietnam Airlines discounted up to 85% of its 90,000 fares to celebrate Thang Long-Hanoi's 1000th anniversary.

[88][89] In January 2011, plans were announced by the airline to re-initiate an initial public offering (IPO) by the end of 2012;[90] an earlier attempt was stalled by the 2007–2008 financial crisis.

[citation needed] Scheduled for mid-2014 after several delays,[91] the IPO and subsequent share-offerings will supply the funds to expand Vietnam Airlines' fleet and network.

[98] In late April 2012, the aircraft lessor ALC announced the placement of an order for eight Boeing 787-9s, which will be leased to Vietnam Airlines; deliveries are expected to start in 2017.

[107][108] Vietnam Airlines received its first Airbus A350-900 in late June 2015, becoming the second operator of the type worldwide after Qatar Airways.

[117][118] In November 2021, Vietnam Airlines started its first direct non-stop service to the United States, from Ho Chi Minh City to San Francisco.

[11] The airline is headed and overseen by a seven-seat management team, members of which are selected by the Prime Minister of Vietnam.

[136] Vietnam Airlines also contracts CAE Global Academy Phoenix in Arizona, United States, to train its cadets.

[98] At the time, Vietnam Airlines controlled 77% share of the domestic aviation market, with 14% covered by Jetstar Pacific.

In the future, conversely, Vietnam Airlines is planning to build a maintenance factory in conjunction with Rolls-Royce and other companies.

Vietnam Airlines has traditionally increased flights among Vietnamese cities to cater for the heavy demands brought by the annual Tết celebration.

On every flight featuring Premium Economy, hot meals are served with an extensive menu of Vietnamese delicacies and popular world cuisine.

The deadliest one took place on 19 September 1988, when a Tupolev Tu-134A crashed on approach to Don Mueang International Airport, killing 76 of 90 aboard.

[217] The second deadliest accident occurred on 3 September 1997, when a Tupolev Tu-134B-3 crashed after hitting trees on approach to Phnom Penh International Airport; the death toll rose to 65.

[218] The third deadliest accident occurred on 14 November 1992, when a Yakovlev Yak-40 crashed on approach to Nha Trang Airport, killing 30 of 31 aboard.