At noon local time on 9 November 2026 in Tokyo, Vietnam Airlines (HVN) and ANA Holdings marked ten years of strategic cooperation and signed a framework agreement on joint venture cooperation. Party General Secretary and State President To Lam attended the event during his official visit to Japan.
A decade together
The two sides signed their strategic cooperation agreement in Tokyo in May 2016; two months later ANA Holdings became a strategic shareholder of Vietnam Airlines. Cooperation has since expanded to codeshare flights, linked frequent flyer programmes and coordination on product development, sales and marketing.
Business results show the partnership's value: as of October, Vietnam Airlines operated 11 direct routes between the two countries with 72 flights per week. In the first nine months of 2026, the carrier's passenger numbers in the Japanese market rose 18% and passenger revenue rose 26% year on year.
What the joint venture framework covers
- Revenue sharing and coordination of schedules, fares, seat inventory, sales, marketing and passenger services on routes between the two countries, subject to approval by competent authorities.
- Exchanges on aircraft operations, maintenance and repair, personnel training, ground services, in-flight catering and cargo; extension of the technical support agreement.
- Potential wider cooperation on technology, digital transformation, data management and operational system optimisation.
Opportunities ahead
A revenue-sharing joint venture lets the two airlines coordinate more deeply rather than compete on the same market, which can give passengers more schedule options and connections. It also fits Vietnam Airlines' goal of a five-star Skytrax rating by 2030, while riding the growth of tourism, trade and investment between Vietnam and Japan.
Key takeaways
- Vietnam Airlines and ANA signed a joint venture framework on the tenth anniversary of their strategic partnership.
- Vietnam Airlines' Japan passengers rose 18% and passenger revenue 26% in nine months of 2026.
- The joint venture requires approval from competent authorities before implementation.