France has conferred the Knight insignia of Legion of Honour Order on the Chief Executive Officer of the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines Pham Ngoc Minh for his contributions to bilateral linkages.

The honour was presented by French Minister of Foreign Affairs Laurent Fabius at a ceremony in Hanoi on August 5 during his official visit to Vietnam.

The national carrier first launched direct flights to France in 1994 and has offered non-stop direct services since 2003.

CEO Minh has together with other colleagues initiated and accelerated the implementation of a series of aviation cooperation projects with France to turn Vietnam Airlines into a dynamic one in the world’s aviation market.

The Legion of Honour Order is France’s noblest award for individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to France as well as its relations with other countries. It was first introduced by Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte on May 19, 1802.-VNA