Hanoi (VNA) - Travel demand from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), including Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and select Eastern European countries, is emerging as a strategic growth engine for the central city of Da Nang, with a projected 20–30% market increase for 2026.
Vietnam’s foreign visitor inflows continue to accelerate, prompting destinations nationwide to prioritise new, resilient, high-value source markets.
In Da Nang, visitors from CIS countries are increasingly viewed as a high-potential segment, adding diversity and stability to the city's tourism portfolio.
Why CIS market stands out
Travel experts noted that CIS visitors typically stay longer, spend more, and prefer year-round beach getaways. Their destination preferences focus on warm weather, safety, hospitality, and modern infrastructure — criteria that Da Nang largely satisfies.
Nha Trang, Da Nang, Phu Quoc, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City are among the most-searched destinations for CIS travelers. Particularly notable, bookings to Da Nang via the Yandex.Travel platform soared 1,459% in the first nine months of the year, a clear sign of fast-rising interest.
Speaking at a conference on prospective solutions for attracting the CIS market to Da Nang, Deputy Director of municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Tan Van Vuong said the city welcomed over 14.4 million overnight visitors during January-September, including 6.7 million foreigners.
He stressed that direct charter flights and collaboration with tour operators have fueled CIS market growth, broadening Da Nang’s international visitor base.
Most CIS travelers stay 7–14 days and spend an average of over 2,300 USD per trip. Around 73% book trips 2–3 months in advance, often traveling with family or friends and favouring all-inclusive packages.
Da Nang: A rising destination among CIS travelers
The city now fields 13 weekly flights from Astana and Almaty (Kazakhstan), and two weekly flights from Tashkent (Uzbekistan). By 2026, Da Nang expects around 70 flights per month from 15 CIS cities, with roughly 10,000 visitors monthly.
According to Director of the Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre Nguyen Thi Hong Tham, the city is gaining strong traction on Russian-language travel platforms, driven by warm climate, attractive beaches, visa exemptions, and service friendliness.
Digital advertising partnerships: Unlocking CIS growth
A key step is the partnership between Da Nang Tourism Promotion Centre and Yango Ads Vietnam to deploy localised, data-driven campaigns targeting Russian-speaking users.
The collaboration leverages behavioural insights and culturally tailored advertising to boost Da Nang’s visibility across search engines, social platforms and travel apps prevalent in CIS markets.
Nguyen Thi Diem Thu, Business Development Manager and representative of Yango Ads Vietnam, noted that Yango is the biggest advertising platform within the Yandex ecosystem, reaching over 100 million monthly users. Russian-language, culturally adapted marketing content will enable Vietnamese firms to improve both reach and credibility with CIS travelers, a high-spending segment that values personalised experiences.
From a regulatory standpoint, Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Nguyen Trung Khanh said CIS markets align with Vietnam’s strategic tourism development vision to 2030.
VNAT will continue supporting Da Nang, Khanh Hoa, and Phu Quoc with tailored products, on-site promotions, roadshows and familiarisation trips in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, and expanded air links.
With coordinated marketing strategies, targeted digital promotion, and proactive local action, Da Nang is set to secure lasting market share in the CIS, reinforcing its role as one of Vietnam’s flagship international gateways./.
