HANOI - Vietnam and France have signed a declaration of intent to jointly develop a new Earth observation satellite, local media Thong tin Chinh phu (Government Information) reported Monday.

The agreement, signed during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Hanoi, involves the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, France's Center National d'Etudes Spatiales, and Airbus Defence & Space, the report added.

According to the media report, the project aims to advance satellite technology, train personnel, and support sustainable development through remote sensing.

Also on Monday, Vietnamese low-cost airline Vietjet Air signed a new agreement to purchase 20 additional Airbus A330-900 widebody aircraft, the report said.

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The aircraft will support Vietjet's plans to expand high-capacity routes across the Asia-Pacific region and introduce long-haul services to Europe, according to the report, adding that the agreement is part of broader economic cooperation expected between Vietnamese and French enterprises during Macron's visit.