VATM and Boeing collaborate to explore improvements in Air Traffic Management

Ha Noi, July 18, 2025 - The Viet Nam Air Traffic Management Corporation (VATM), in collaboration with Boeing, held an event to announce the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore strategic initiatives to enhance the safety and efficiency of Viet Nam’s air traffic management (ATM) system.

The Memorandum of Understanding focuses on improving safety, capacity, and efficiency of Viet Nam’s ATM system, particularly in the context of the country’s rapidly growing aviation market and the upcoming Long Thanh International Airport, scheduled to begin operations later this year.

"Among the areas of cooperation outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding, - including airspace management, SWIM, new technology implementation, and human resource training - I highly appreciate the prioritization of this particular work package, especially considering that the Long Thanh International Airport project is a nationally significant priority, and the target date for putting the airport into operation is fast approaching. I believe that our teams will collaborate closely and effectively to achieve our goals in terms of timeline and work quality” said Mr. Le Hoang Minh. 

He also shared VATM’s impressive performance in the first half of 2025, with more than 460,000 flights controlled with absolute safety – an increase of 8.8% compared to the same period in 2024 – underscoring the growing demand for air traffic services.

Speaking at the event, Mr. Malcom An, Senior Managing Director for Global Strategic Initiatives at Boeing, expressed appreciation for the swift and effective collaboration between the two sides. He remarked: “In Boeing’s 109-year history, this is the fastest MoU ever finalized - completed within just two months of our first meeting with VATM leadership. This reflects the determination of both parties and underscores the strategic importance of this partnership.”

Mr. Malcom An also expressed a strong desire to build a long-term, substantive relationship with VATM and committed to comprehensive support in technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and accompanying Viet Nam in the process of  ATM modernization.

He also shared that Boeing is developing a digital model of the airspace over Ho Chi Minh City -  including both Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports – to evaluate the effectiveness of various airspace operational scenarios before real-world implementation.

The MoU between VATM and Boeing focuses on four strategic areas: 
•    Airspace Management: Implementing initiatives to optimize airspace operations, especially optimizing operations across the Ho Chi Minh and Long Thanh. 
•    System Wide Information Management (SWIM): Developing an integrated platform to enable real-time data sharing across aviation stakeholders.
•    New Technology implementation: Researching and applying advanced technologies aligned with ICAO’s ASBU framework and the FAA’s NextGen roadmap.
•    Human Resource Training:  Designing specialized training programs for technical staff, air traffic controllers, and senior management to meet the operational requirements of a modern ATM system.

This MoU announcement also holds special significance as 2025 marks 30 years of cooperation between Boeing and Viet Nam. The relationship is entering a new phase of growth, especially after the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2023.