Aviation History
Vietnamese civil aviation developed separately during the war era, with the South's Air Vietnam (founded 1951, majority owned with Air France) and the North's Vietnam Civil Aviation (established 1956) later unifying under the state carrier Vietnam Airlines after 1975. Corporatization in the 1990s-2010s, SkyTeam membership in 2010, and the rise of private low-cost carriers like VietJet Air (2011) and Bamboo Airways (2019) transformed Vietnam into one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing aviation markets.
Air Vietnam was established under the State of Vietnam, jointly capitalized with Air France, beginning operations in October 1951 as South Vietnam's civil carrier.
North Vietnam formed Vietnam Civil Aviation in January 1956 following nationalization of Gia Lam Airport, the root of today's Vietnam Airlines.
Following the Fall of Saigon, Air Vietnam ceased operations and its remaining aircraft and assets were absorbed into the unified state aviation system.
State aviation businesses were incorporated together to establish Vietnam Airlines Corporation as the national flag carrier structure.
Vietnam Airlines became the first Southeast Asian carrier to join the SkyTeam global airline alliance.
VietJet Air began flying in December 2011 as Vietnam's first privately-owned low-cost carrier, sparking rapid growth in domestic air travel.
Vietnam Airlines took delivery of its first Airbus A350-900 (the second operator worldwide after Qatar Airways) and became a joint stock company.
Bamboo Airways, backed by conglomerate FLC Group, began commercial flights, further expanding Vietnam's competitive domestic airline market.
Vietnam Airlines · VietJet Air · Bamboo Airways · Vietravel Airlines · Air Vietnam (historical, 1951-1975)
Wikipedia, Vietnam Airlines corporate history, Simple Flying