Tourism Vietnam Revives Tourism Push to Attract Russian Visitors

[snoop1130]

Photo courtesy of VN Express

 

Vietnam is stepping up its efforts to woo Russian tourists, rolling out promotional campaigns, improving service quality, and enhancing air connectivity. This comes as the nation seeks to sustain strong growth from this key market.

 

In the first half of 2025, Vietnam welcomed approximately 260,000 Russian visitors. This figure surpasses the whole of 2024, which saw over 232,300 arrivals, marking Russia as one of Vietnam's top ten international source markets and the fastest-growing from Europe.

 

Pre-pandemic, Vietnam hosted over 650,000 Russian tourists in 2019, positioning Russia as its sixth-largest international tourist source. The pandemic saw a sharp decline, but recovery is in full swing. By 2024, Russian arrivals had rebounded to 36% of pre-pandemic levels, up nearly 85% from 2023.

 

Known for their extended stays, Russian tourists often spend about 12 days in destinations like Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa Province. Their interests span fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and Vietnamese coffee, alongside locally crafted fashion and souvenirs.

 

Cam Ranh International Airport recorded 144 flights from former Soviet Union countries in April 2025, doubling March's numbers. Russian passengers were the majority, with Khanh Hoa welcoming 121,000 Russian visitors in the first five months of 2025—a year-on-year rise of 192%.

 

The resumption of direct flights from Russia to Cam Ranh has significantly boosted arrivals, said Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism. This upturn includes flights from Kazakhstan.

 

Phan Dang Anh from Anex Vietnam Travel highlighted Vietnam's prompt resumption of charter flights from Russia. He attributed the demand to favourable visa policies, safe destinations, and Vietnam's warm climate, a preferred alternative to traditional Russian winter getaways.

 

The Russian market's resurgence is revitalising not just Khanh Hoa, but Vietnam's wider tourism sector. According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), Russia posted a growth rate exceeding 139% in the first half of 2025.

 

Visa facilitation plays a crucial role, with Russian citizens enjoying visa-free entry for up to 45 days. Similarly, Vietnamese travellers can obtain a 16-day e-visa to Russia, with potential extensions to 30 days under review.

 

VNAT Deputy Director Ha Van Sieu emphasised the importance of restoring commercial and charter flights by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Aeroflot, and Azur Air. He pointed out that increasing direct flights and streamlining visa processes are essential for expanding market share.

 

Vietnamese businesses are encouraged to create niche offerings such as wellness and culinary tourism while upgrading infrastructure and services. Additionally, plans are underway to broaden flight networks to Russian cities like Kazan and Ufa by 2025-2026.

 

Both nations are actively promoting tourism through events in Russian cities, and Vietnam aims to host Russian Culture Days, collaborating with airlines and travel companies to strengthen bilateral tourism ties.

 

Buoyed by this momentum, Vietnam aims to attract 430,000 Russian tourists in 2025, nearly doubling the 2024 figure, and contributing significantly to Vietnam's goal of welcoming 22–23 million international visitors this year. With these efforts, the tourism sector is poised for a robust recovery.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from VN Express 2025-07-25

 

 

[spidermike007]

Don't do it. You will forever regret it. I have friends who know younger Russians. And they say they are kind, friendly and progressive. I have no idea what percentage of the population these younger people represent, nor how representative they are of the Russian population. Personally, I have met very few friendly Russians. Anywhere in the world. The vast majority of Russians I have met, seem to have very, very few redeeming qualities. It is no wonder.

 

I can only speak from my experience. Have run into alot of Russians both in the US, and on Phuket and Samui, 98% of them seem to be grumpy, unfriendly and gruff. Some of them are downright hostile. Likely a reflection of a very, very rough culture and environment. So, perhaps it is not a coincidence that the world is not standing up to support them and show them kindness? Just an observation.

 

I think it is a reflection of the current culture. It was destroyed over a century of callous and murderous leadership. Stalin, Lenin, Khruschev, now Putin. They have become somewhat savage and crude. No grace, no finesse, no courtesy. Rather uncivilized. My family was from Russia a few generations back. I used to ask my great-grandmother when she was still around, why they didn't teach us anything about the old country. She would give me this look, and tell me "the reason we never teach you about the place we came from, is because the place we came from was the most horrific country on earth, it was the most destitute, horrible, oppressive place, and we were thrilled to finally get out of there and leave it behind. That's why we don't teach you about the old country, the old country doesn't exist for us. 

 

There are a multitude of reasons why very few around the world have sympathy for the Russians. Those reasons are not limited to their serial killing, despot, thieving multi billionaire dictator for life. It is more about their nature, their history as ruthless, homicidal Cossack warriors, and their total lack of manners, and class. Not to mention the dignity, class, decency, civility, and social skills decades of Leninism, Stalinism, and now Putinism has stripped them of. 

 

[CHdiver]

Imho Countries that do trade with Russia should have the same sanctions as Russia. Russian people wanting to experience sun and palm trees can go to to Crimea.