Vietnam Signs Deal with Boeing for 4 Jets

Vietnam signed a contract to purchase four Boeing Co. 777 jets in a deal worth $680 million, the commercial airplane maker said. It is the first transaction between companies in Vietnam and the United States under a formal trade agreement.

The first 777-200ER plane, which will be able to fly nonstop from Ho Chi Minh City to the Americas and Europe as well as throughout Asia, will be delivered to state-run Vietnam Airlines in 2003.

Shares of Boeing fell 40 cents to close at $36.90 on the NYSE.