Despite recent unfavourable weather conditions in several Vietnamese localities, Russian travel companies reported no cancellations or reductions in tour bookings to Vietnam, indicating that the country remains a highly attractive destination for Russian holidaymakers.
Vietjet Air's Airbus 321-VJ 3522 flight from Vladivostok, Russia, carried 220 passengers on a seven-hour journey to Phu Quoc. These Russian visitors are the first participants in a full-package charter tour, including airfare, accommodation, sightseeing, and local services, directly operated by Anex Vietnam Co., Ltd.
Before the pandemic, Khanh Hoa was among the top destinations for Russian visitors, welcoming nearly 493,000 arrivals in 2019. After five years of stagnation, the market is rebounding strongly.
The Russian market’s strong rebound has not only revived tourism in Khanh Hoa but also contributed significantly to Vietnam’s overall tourism recovery. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Russia was the only international market to post a record growth rate of over 139% in the first half of 2025.
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.
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.
Nha Trang, a coastal city in Khanh Hoa province, has long been a favorite destination for Russian tourists, accounting for up to 50% of Russian visitors to Vietnam. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear water, and rich cuisine, Nha Trang is often dubbed as Vietnam’s "beach capital."
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).
Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin on October 16 announced that Thailand will extend the visa-free stay for Russian tourists from 30 to 90 days from November 1, 2023 to April 30, 2024.
The resort island Phu Quoc in southern Vietnam is planning to fully vaccinate its residents against COVID-19 by September to welcome the year-end foreign tourism surge, as part of a vaccine passport pilot programme.
As Vietnam has been removed from the global list of potential destinations spreading COVID-19, domestic tourism is expected to witness growth after implementation of several stimulus programmes and sales promotions.
A bus assistant in the coastal city of Nha Trang was fired for displaying an improper attitude towards two female Russian tourists after clips recording the incident went viral on Facebook.
Authorities of the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa province has introduced representatives from the US and Russian economies to the locality’s potential and strengths, especially in sea-based economy.
Vietnam is one of the most favourite destinations of Russians for the New Year holiday, according to Maya Lomidze, Director of Association of Tour Operations of Russia (ATOR).
The Russia-Indonesia Business Council (RIBC) is seeking to draw Indonesian tourists to Russia and vice versa in 2016 and the following years to propel the bilateral economic relations forward.
Vietnam’s tourism sector aims to welcome one million Russian visitors by 2020, said Deputy Director General of the Vietnam National Tourism Administration Nguyen Quoc Hung.
