Binh Duong-based porcelain maker Minh Long 1 Co Ltd signed a contract to provide the tableware for Vietnam Airlines business-class on Jan.20.

Minh Long will provide with the national flag carrier for five years beginning mid-2011.

Addressing at a press conference shortly after the signing certemony, general director of Minh Long 1, Ly Ngoc Minh, said the porcelain tableware set called "Apricot Bossom", designed for Vietnam Airlines, was befitting of the beauty of Vietnam .

In the first two years of the contract, Minh Long would provide Vietnam Airlines with nearly one million items worth about 30 billion VND (1.5 million USD), he said.

"The introduction of the newly-designed crockery will help Vietnam Airlines improve its services, especially for business-class passengers," said Pham Ngoc Minh, general director of Vietnam Airlines.

"The co-operation with Minh Long 1 is part of a plan to make Vietnam Airlines one of the top ten Asian airlines providing best ground and in-flight services to passengers."

Vietnam Airlines, which is currently flying on 20 domestic and 26 international routes, has increased the number of flights from 250 per day in 2009 to 350 in early 2011./.