Man who lent Bamboo Airways more than VND7.7 trillion barred from leaving Vietnam

Le Thai Sam, who once lent Bamboo Airways more than VND7.727 trillion, has been temporarily barred from leaving Vietnam as the airline carries a VND440.6 billion tax debt.

The Gia Lai Tax Department sent a notice to the Immigration Department under the Ministry of Public Security on September 3. It identified Sam, who lives in Ho Chi Minh City, as the beneficial owner of Tre Viet Aviation, the company behind Bamboo Airways. The travel restriction took effect the same day.

The tax authority said the restriction can be lifted after Bamboo Airways pays its outstanding taxes through the national public service portal and its debt falls below the threshold for applying the measure. The department will then process the cancellation in accordance with regulations.

Bamboo Airways was founded by Trinh Van Quyet on May 31, 2017. After legal problems involving Quyet and FLC Group, the airline entered a difficult period and began a comprehensive restructuring. Sam joined the management of FLC in July 2022 and Bamboo Airways the following month. He later served as the airline’s chairman during its restructuring, before Bui Quang Dung was elected chairman in November 2025.

Sam’s lending to Bamboo Airways exceeded VND7.727 trillion as of April 10, 2023, slightly more than a year after Quyet was prosecuted. Sam has since taken another senior role within the group. A corporate registration change announced on August 17 named him general director and legal representative of Bamboo Airways Cargo, replacing Hoang Manh Tan.

Bamboo Airways Cargo was established in December 2022 with VND20 billion in charter capital. Bamboo Airways held 75%, or VND15 billion. The cargo company increased its charter capital to VND300 billion in March 2023 and provides direct support services for air transport.