Vietjet and French technology group Thales have signed a series of major cooperation agreements covering aircraft maintenance, digital aviation, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity during Vietnamese General Secretary and President To Lam’s official state visit to France.
The signing took place on September 13, 2026, at the Élysee Palace in Paris, in the presence of both To Lam and French President Emmanuel Macron, alongside senior officials and business representatives from both countries.
A Repair-By-The-Hour contract anchors the deal
The centerpiece of the agreements is a strategic Repair-By-The-Hour (RBTH) contract under which Thales will provide comprehensive component maintenance services for Vietjet’s Airbus fleet.
The contract covers the A320, A321, A321neo, A321XLR, A330, and A330neo aircraft types, and is designed to enhance technical reliability and fleet availability while optimizing costs and operational efficiency.
Digital aviation and AI on the agenda
Alongside the maintenance agreement, Vietjet and Thales also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) covering digital aviation, avionics, cybersecurity, and AI-enhanced airline operations. The MoU will explore secure cloud solutions, predictive analytics, and decision-support technologies to strengthen airline operations over time.
Nguyen Thanh Son, CEO of Vietjet, said the partnership with Thales will not only enhance the reliability, safety, and operational efficiency of Vietjet’s fleet, but also open new areas of cooperation in digital technology, AI, and cybersecurity.
He said the airline looks forward to connecting French technological expertise with a dynamic aviation market, and contributing to stronger trade, investment, and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and France.
Pascale Sourisse, CEO of Thales International, said the company is honored by Vietjet’s continued trust, noting Thales has maintained a presence in Vietnam for 30 years.
She said Thales looks forward to supporting the airline’s next phase of growth through innovation, advanced technology, and operational excellence.
A partnership with broader significance
The agreements mark a new chapter in the Vietjet-Thales partnership and carry wider significance for technology and industrial cooperation between Vietnam and France under the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework.
Vietjet, which operates a modern fleet and a growing international network, said the agreements are part of its continued investment in technology, infrastructure, and aviation talent as it expands its reach across the Asia Pacific region and progressively into Europe.