With its long, white sand coast, Nha Trang attracts both domestic and international tourists. (Photo: VNA)
In the first half of 2025, Vietnam welcomed around 260,000 Russian tourists, surpassing the full-year total of over 232,300 arrivals in 2024. Russia is now among Vietnam’s top 10 international source markets and the fastest-growing from Europe.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam received over 650,000 Russian visitors in 2019, making Russia its sixth-largest source of international tourists that year. Arrivals dropped sharply during the pandemic, but the recovery has been notable. In 2024, despite limited international flights, Russian arrivals exceeded 232,300, equivalent to 36 per cent of pre-pandemic levels and up nearly 85 per cent compared to 2023.
Russian tourists are known for their extended stays. According to Hoang Thi Phong Thu from Pegas Misr Vietnam Travel Co. Ltd., which specialises in the Russian market, tourists from Russia often spend an average of 12 days in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province. Their preferences include fresh seafood, tropical fruits, and Vietnamese coffee, along with locally made fashion, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
Cam Ranh International Airport received 144 flights from former Soviet Union countries in April 2025, twice as many as in March, with Russian passengers making up the majority. Khanh Hoa welcomed 121,000 Russian visitors in the first five months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 192 per cent.
Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism Cung Quynh Anh said the resumption of direct flights from Russia to Cam Ranh gave a major boost to arrivals from Russia and Kazakhstan.
Phan Dang Anh from Anex Vietnam Travel and Trading Co. Ltd. noted that Vietnam was one of the few Asian countries to quickly resume charter flights from Russia. He credited favourable visa policies, safe destinations, and the revival of Russia’s domestic tourism for fueling demand for long beach vacations. Central Vietnam’s warm year-round climate is a compelling alternative to traditional Russian winter holiday spots.
Russian tourists are welcomed at Cam Ranh International Airport. (Photo: VNA)
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 per cent in the first half of 2025.
Boosting cooperation, connectivity
Visa facilitation is supporting this growth. Russian citizens enjoy a visa exemption for stays of up to 45 days in Vietnam, while Vietnamese travelers can apply for a 16-day e-visa to Russia, with proposals under review to extend this to 30 days.
VNAT Deputy Director Ha Van Sieu said the resumption of commercial and charter flights by Vietnam Airlines, VietJet Air, Aeroflot, and Azur Air is key to boosting tourism flows.
To further expand market share, he said, it is necessary for Vietnam to offer supportive measures for businesses and localities, including streamlined visa issuance for tour groups and additional direct flights to new destinations. Information sharing on tourism policies, investment opportunities, and market trends should be sped up along with building products tailor to Russian visitor preferences.
Vietnamese businesses are urged to develop niche offerings such as wellness and culinary tourism, while upgrading infrastructure and services. Plans are underway to expand flight networks to Russian cities like Kazan and Ufa in 2025–2026.
Both sides are actively promoting tourism through marketing events in Russian cities. Vietnam also plans to host Russian Culture Days, with the participation of airlines and travel firms, expected to boost bilateral tourism ties.
With this positive momentum, Vietnam aims to welcome 430,000 Russian tourists in 2025, nearly double the 2024 figure. Russia is expected to be a key contributor to Vietnam’s target of 22–23 million international visitors this year.
