On January 1, 2009, a Vietnam Airlines Boeing 777-200, registration VN-A143, flight number VN224, departed the Tan Son Nhat Airport, SGN (Ho Chi Minh City) and while climbing through 8,000 feet, a loud metallic noise was heard followed by a L ENGINE FAIL EICAS message, airplane vibration, and a acid burning smelled followed by rapidly by a FIRE ENGINE LEFT warning. The flight crew performed the engine fire checklist and the fire warning ceased after discharging the first fire bottle. The flight crew declared an emergency and returned to SGN for a successful single engine landing. There were no reported injuries to the two flight crew members, twelve cabin crew members or the 318 passengers on board. The accident is being investigated by the Vietnamese Civil Aviation Administration. Further information pertaining to this incident may be obtained from: VIETNAM Director General Civil Aviation Administration Gia Lam Airport Hanoi VietNam Tel.: (84) 4 827 3384 Fax: (84) 4 827 1913 SITA: HANCFVN AFTN: VVVVYAYX Telex: 412242 BGTVT VT This report is for informational purposes only and contains only information obtained for, or released by, the Government of Vietnam.