During a ceremony held in Hanoi, on 10 June 2010, Vietnam Airlines officially joined the SkyTeam global airline alliance. SkyTeam is increasing its focus on Asia as a whole, and by welcoming its first member in Southeast Asia, the alliance significantly strengthens its network reach in the region.

Joining SkyTeam marks an important step toward Vietnam Airlines’ future growth. It will bring passengers convenient and seamless service of international standards to a global network covering more than 850 destinations in 169 countries. Vietnam Airlines customers can earn and redeem frequent flyer miles when traveling on flights of all other SkyTeam member airlines. Customers from the other SkyTeam frequent flyer programs can achieve the same when flying Vietnam Airlines.

As part of the joining ceremony, attended by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, senior government officials and representatives from SkyTeam member airlines, Vietnam Airlines unveiled its first aircraft in SkyTeam livery to commemorate its membership in the alliance.

During the last 14 months Vietnam Airlines has worked intensively to fulfill the alliances' membership requirements, ranging from customer service elements such as the recognition of frequent flyer programs, lounge access and priority baggage handling, to establishing codeshare agreements with SkyTeam members. After Vietnam Airlines successfully passed the required audit in May, the SkyTeam Governing Board officially approved the membership.