Moscow (VNA) – The resumption of charter and regular flights from Russia to Vietnam has fueled growing interest in the Southeast Asian destination.
According to Travelata.ru, tour sales have increased 9% in one month and multiple times compared to the same period last year. Vietnam is now the fastest-growing destination in hotel bookings, surpassing Thailand and approaching pre-pandemic demand levels.
Sletat.ru recorded a 3.4-fold increase in tour sales from February 1 to March 18, while Level.Travel reported a fourfold rise in March. Russian Express noted a 5.5-fold year-on-year rise in February and March, and Let’s Fly CEO Lyubov Voronina expected demand to grow by 20%, driven by expanded flight routes.
Direct flights between Russia and Vietnam resumed in winter 2024 after being suspended in 2020 due to Covid-19. Aeroflot now operates flights to Ho Chi Minh City and will fly to Nha Trang from March 22. Azur Air and Pegas Touristik have launched charter services, while Vietnam Airlines plans the Moscow-Hanoi route in May.
Vietnam ranks among the top 10 destinations in March, according to OneTwoTrip, with flight and hotel bookings doubling compared to the same period last year. Yandex Travel reported a 49% year-on-year increase in air ticket sales, while Aviasales posted a 62.5% growth in Vietnam's market share. Hotel booking platform Ostrovok saw Vietnam as the fastest-growing destination, with a 25% increase in reservations.
Anex Tour ranked Vietnam as the third most popular summer destination after Turkey and Egypt. Analysts said Vietnam’s appeal is rising as Thailand faces overcapacity. Voronina noted that resorts in Mui Ne and Nha Trang offer an attractive alternative, even in summer.
Oleg Kozyrev, marketing director at Travelata.ru, believed that Vietnam’s organised tourism is on track to regain its pre-pandemic status./.
