More than 742,000 Russians visited Vietnam in the first six months of the year, up 2.8 times from a year earlier, ATOR said.
Vietnam ranked fourth in Russia's package holiday sales for July, with a 7.8 per cent market share, up 3.2 percentage points year on year, overtaking Thailand (4.7 per cent) and China (4.3 per cent).
ATOR said Asian beach destinations had benefited from shifting travel demand as the United Arab Emirates (UAE) lost market share and domestic tourism weakened. Vietnam outperformed Thailand by expanding its flight programmes.
Tourism industry experts expect strong growth to continue in the second half of the year, with more charter flights to Danang this summer and direct services to Phu Quoc from autumn.
If the current pace continues, Vietnam could welcome 1.5 million Russian visitors by the end of the year.
A Russian travel blogger behind the Fly Yourself blog summed up Vietnam's appeal with the phrase "Cheaper than Turkey, more colourful than Thailand."
The blogger cited five reasons for Vietnam's appeal to Russian travellers: direct flights and easy visa procedures, affordable prices, diverse accommodation, a safe and welcoming environment, and rich cultural experiences
