Beyond commercial operations, he also participated in a number of special missions that helped strengthen Vietnam’s international connections, including official flights carrying senior national leaders on overseas visits.

There were occasions when severe weather forced changes to planned routes. At other times, emergency landings became necessary to save passengers facing life-threatening medical situations.

By the end of his career, Captain Lien had accumulated nearly 24,500 flight hours and completed approximately 8,000 flights without a single safety incident.

In his farewell message, he expressed deep gratitude to passengers who had chosen Vietnam Airlines over the years and thanked the national carrier for giving him the opportunity to dedicate his life to the profession he loved most.

He also extended his appreciation to every member of the aviation community, from flight crews to ground staff, engineers, mechanics and air traffic personnel, whose often unseen efforts help ensure the safety of every journey.

The most emotional part of his message, however, was reserved for his family.

He thanked his beloved wife with profound gratitude for quietly accepting the sacrifices that came with a life spent away from home on extended work assignments.

Captain Lien also expressed his appreciation to his children and grandchildren, whose encouragement and support had given him strength throughout his career and personal life. Notably, some of his children have followed in his footsteps, becoming pilots and captains themselves, and are now his colleagues within the aviation industry.

As he concluded his final address, he said he would soon return to the skies in a different capacity - no longer as the person at the controls, but as a passenger flying aboard aircraft operated by his colleagues, former students and the next generation of aviators.

Vu Diep