The decision confirmed by the government on Monday shows a significant shift in Vietnam’s civil aviation policy. It can see passenger jets produced in China entering markets traditionally dominated by U.S. and European manufacturers.
According to documents reviewed by Reuters, the Civil Aviation Administration of Vietnam (CAAV) proposed to consider China’s aircraft design certification as a U.S. standard. This regulatory shift will allow the aircraft made by Chinese state-owned planner Comac to meet Vietnam’s safety and airworthiness requirements.
The new rules may take effect this month
The second CAAV document outlines the proposed regulatory amendment expected to take effect from April 30. However, it will require approval from senior Vietnamese leadership before it is implemented.
“New aircraft that have not yet been certified by FAA or EASA (such as COMAC) will encounter current laws and regulations when seeking to operate in Vietnam.” The statement refers to a long-term preference for certification issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) or the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).
CAAV, the Prime Minister’s Office and the Ministry of Construction (Supervised Transport) requested comment.
Calculated actions under trade pressure
The timing of this move is crucial. Just as Vietnam is under increasing scrutiny in the U.S. trade surplus. Vietnamese officials have tried to ease trade tensions by reiterating their intention to buy U.S.-made aircraft after former U.S. President Donald Trump resumed push for reciprocity tariffs. Vietjet ordered 200 Boeing 737 Max Jets, while Vietnam Airlines signed 50 temporary deals in 2023 during a visit by then-President Joe Biden.
Vietnam’s trade and industry minister is currently negotiating in the United States to avoid punitive measures. The government believes that aviation procurement is evidence of good faith reduction in trade surplus with Washington.
COMAC’s speed into Vietnam
Meanwhile, COMAC has strengthened its efforts to gain a foothold in the Vietnam Airlines market. The Chinese planner met with top Vietnam officials and reportedly proposed attractive lease terms to local carriers.
Vietnam’s reliance on Boeing and Airbus has limited airline options. COMAC entries may introduce competition – although only regulatory barriers are cleared.
Reuters reported in January that Vietnam Airlines, the country’s largest private airline, is considering short-term leases of two Comac C909 regional aircraft for domestic operations. The planes were originally scheduled to arrive in mid-January but were blocked due to ongoing regulatory delays.
The quiet experiment of Vietjet and Chinese aircraft
Despite the lack of formal approval, two C909 jets (part of China’s Chengdu Airlines) have been registered under the name of Vietjet since late January. The plane was discovered by the Vietnamese brand and the No. 75 aircraft, symbolizing 75 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China.
One of the planes conducted a demonstration flight in Vietnam on January 23, stopped at Ho Chi Minh, Con Dao, then returned to Hanoi and then flew back to Chengdu.
Photos of the aircraft and its actions are distributed on plane playback websites and flight tracking platforms such as Flighttradar24. Vietjet did not comment on the matter publicly.
Vietnam’s broader links with China and the United States
Vietnam’s relationship with China is complicated. The two countries have deep economic ties and have recently expanded cooperation in defense and infrastructure, including transportation networks.
However, Hanoi remains closely related to the U.S. market. Many of its exports rely on favorable terms of trade with Washington, and officials are wary of any policies that could trigger tariffs or damage Vietnam’s export-driven economy.
The approval of COMAC aircraft provides Vietnam Airlines with alternatives to Boeing and Airbus, but it also reflects a deeper strategy. Vietnam appears to be diversifying its aviation partnerships while embarking on a careful diplomatic route between its two largest trading partners.
The question now is whether the existence of COMAC will expand in Vietnam, or whether political pressure from abroad will make the brakes that are cautiously opened.
(with Reuters input)
