Vietnam soars in popularity among Russian tourists
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
Russian tourists pose for a photo after landing at Cam Ranh International Airport, Khanh Hoa province, on April 18, 2025. (Photo: VNA)
Bangkok (VNA) – Thailand remains a favourite for Russian tourists, but Vietnam has seen a dramatic surge in demand with a 140 percent increase in visitors this summer, according to Artur Muradyan, Vice-President of the Russian Tour Operators Assಌociation and CEO of Space Travel.
More than 6.4 million Russians are expected to travel abroad this summer, a significant jump from 5.15 million in the same period last year, Muradyan said at the le’TO 2025 annual tourism awards briefing.
This growth is being driven by several factors, including a stronger rouble and lower airfares across many destinations, he added.
While perenial favouristes such as Turkey and Abkhazia continue to attract consistent interest, a number of newer markets appear to be gaining traction this summer. Among them, Vietnam has seen notable growth thanks to the launch of new direct and charter flights.
Besides, he said that other rising stars in international travel include Malaysia, Morocco, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Japan, and the Seychelles. Transit routes have also opened up access to previously less-visited destinations such as Malaysia, the Philippines, and parts of Indonesia outside Bali.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions. He also noted growing interest among Russian travellers in countries like Japan, the RoK and Iran.
According to him, this reflects a broader trend of Russian tourists seeking out more distinctive and lesser-known destinations, underscoring the rapid expansion of Russia’s tourism geography./.
Russian tourist arrivals in Khanh Hoa province are showing strong signs of recovery, with more than 49,000 visitors recorded in the first three months of 2025, reflecting a notable increase compared to recent years.
This marked the first charter flight bringing Russian tourists to Nha Trang, the south-central province of Khanh Hoa since the COVID-19 pandemic broke out in 2020.
The number of Russian tourists to Vietnam rose 84.9% to 232,300 in 2024 despite the shortage of direct and charter flights from Russian regions, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
Hanoi has directed lodging providers and tourist destinations to bolster preparations in staffing, service quality, security, and sanitation. Community-based lodging platforms such as Airbnb are also being promoted strongly to expand housing supply during the holiday period.
The tour is scheduled to run every weekend from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a variety of activities, including temple rituals, traditional music performances, water puppetry, 3D mapping shows, calligraphy, local cuisine tasting, and handicraft workshops.
