PRESS RELEASE

November 8, 2006

U.S. Ambassador To Vietnam Hails U.S. Ex-Im Bank’s Preliminary Commitment To Finance Vietnam Airlines’ Acquisition Of Four Boeing 787 Aircraft

Hanoi, Vietnam -- U.S. Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Marine today welcomed the announcement that Vietnam Airlines Corporation, the national flag carrier of Vietnam, has received preliminary approval from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (“Ex-Im Bank”) for financing support in excess of US$400 million to support the acquisition of four Boeing 787-8 aircraft and engines, which will be operated by Vietnam Airlines.

“I am extremely pleased to announce Ex-Im Bank’s approval of this preliminary commitment to finance Vietnam Airlines’ acquisition of four state-of-the-art, U.S.-manufactured Boeing aircraft,” Ambassador Marine said.  “This transaction will facilitate increased business and leisure travel to and from Vietnam, thereby contributing to the further economic growth of Vietnam.  It’s a win for both countries.”

Vietnam Airlines, formed in 1989, is a state-owned enterprise and flies both domestic and international routes.

In 2003 and 2004, Ex-Im Bank financed four Boeing 777-200ER aircraft for Vietnam Airlines.

Ex-Im Bank, the official export credit agency of the United States, is in its 72nd year of helping finance the sale of U.S. exports, primarily to emerging markets throughout the world, by providing loan guarantees, export credit insurance and direct loans. In fiscal year 2005, Ex-Im Bank authorized nearly US$14 billion in transactions supporting almost US$17.9 billion of U.S. exports. More than US$2.6 billion of these authorizations, representing 2,617 transactions, directly supported U.S. small businesses as primary exporters. For more information, visit www.exim.gov.

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