Previously, French Air Force aircraft (Armeé de l'Air), including 3 Rafale fighter jets, 1 A400M transport aircraft and 1 A310 aircraft, landed at Noi Bai airport on the afternoon of August 26 after taking off from Malaysia to begin a visit to Vietnam. More than 100 members of the French flight crew had an exchange program with Vietnamese partners on the morning of August 27. In the afternoon of the same day, the French Air Force's A400M transport aircraft performed a demonstration flight over Vietnam's skies with a number of guests.

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A400M transport aircraft prepares to perform in the sky of Vietnam on the afternoon of August 27. |
The visit of French Air Force aircraft to Vietnam and several Asian countries is part of the Pegase 2018 campaign, which aims to demonstrate the readiness of the French Air Force in all parts of the world, along with respect for international law and freedom of the air. This campaign is also said to be aimed at marketing the Rafale fighter jet and the A400M military transport aircraft to Asian countries.

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Guests board the A400M. |

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A400M takes off for a demonstration flight. |

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The A400M's cargo compartment is very spacious, 4 m wide, 3.85 m high, 17.7 m long; it can carry 110 soldiers or up to 37 tons of cargo. |

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A400M technical inspection after landing |
An interesting detail shared by international websites is the image of French air force personnel wearing Vietnamese conical hats while guiding Rafale fighters to their parking positions at Noi Bai airport.

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French air force personnel wearing conical hats guide Rafale fighter jets to their parking positions at Noi Bai airport on the afternoon of August 26. |

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Close-up of the conical hat used by French air force personnel. |

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Rafale fighter jets are in position. |

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Vietnamese and French soldiers take souvenir photos next to French air force planes. |
On August 29, French Air Force planes will leave Vietnam for Singapore, then visit India before returning to France.