Tourism Booms: Russia Flocks to Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa

Key Takeaways

• Khanh Hoa saw 24,000 Russian arrivals in early 2025, up 73% from 2024.
• Vietnam expects up to 500,000 Russian tourists in 2025, supported by over 100 direct monthly flights.
• Russian visitors gain visa-free entry to Vietnam for up to 45 days until March 2028.

A surge in travel between Russia 🇷🇺 and Vietnam 🇻🇳 is transforming the tourism landscape, with a spotlight on Khanh Hoa province and its bustling beach city, Nha Trang. Recent months have seen a sharp jump in Russian visitor numbers—thanks to new and restored direct flights and supportive visa policies. Both countries are seeing strong results from their partnership, aiming to keep the momentum going and to bring more benefits to travelers, tour operators, and local communities. Here’s a closer look at this growing connection, its causes, and what it could mean for the future.

A New Wave of Russian Tourists in Vietnam

In early 2025, Khanh Hoa province recorded 24,000 Russian arrivals in just two months. This represents a 73% increase over the same period in 2024, as reported by the province’s tourism office. Throughout 2024, the province saw about 105,500 Russian tourists, more than double the figure from 2023. This jump, while impressive, still falls a bit short of pre-COVID-19 numbers—but industry leaders are hopeful that these latest trends will help restore and perhaps overtake those heights soon.

Nationwide, the story continues. Vietnam expects up to 500,000 Russian tourists in 2025. Over 80,000 Russians arrived in the country between January and early March alone, according to government statistics. These numbers underline Vietnam’s emergence as one of the hottest destinations for Russian travelers, second only to traditional favorites like Turkey and Egypt.

Why Khanh Hoa? The region’s alluring beaches, affordability, and variety of resorts make it a favorite for Russian tourists. Nha Trang, known for its clear waters and lively atmosphere, often appears near the top of travel wish lists. With more flights and easier access, it’s only natural that this area is seeing surging numbers.

The Flight Connection: Direct Routes Fuel the Boom

A key part of this turnaround is the wave of new and returning direct flights between Russia and Vietnam, with a special focus on Khanh Hoa’s Cam Ranh International Airport. Starting March 16, charter airlines launched routes from eleven large Russian cities. These included Moscow, Barnaul, Tomsk, Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, and Vladivostok, making it far easier for Russian families and groups to reach the beaches of Nha Trang in one convenient trip.

Flight schedules show real growth:

• There will be up to fifty-five flights each month from April to June 2025.
• From July onward—just in time for the Russian holiday season—the volume could reach as many as one hundred flights every month.
• Airlines such as Azur Air and Aeroflot have resumed or grown their services. Aeroflot is offering at least two flights a week from Moscow, with the possible addition of more if demand stays strong.
• New flights are coming from carriers like Ikar and North Wind, set to increase during the busy summer period.

For travelers, these direct flights cut out hassles such as long layovers, multiple transfers, or complicated planning. This ease is a strong incentive for holidaymakers, especially families with children or older travelers seeking comfort.

Visa and Policy Support Gives a Further Boost

Another big reason for the tourism surge is Vietnam’s open-door approach for Russian visitors. Thanks to a visa waiver, Russian citizens can stay in Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days. This policy is set to last until at least March 2028. It removes a common barrier to international travel—filling out forms, waiting for approval, and paying for visas.

On top of this, both countries have been increasing their efforts to promote tourism together. The Vietnamese government has run campaigns to draw in Russian tourists, working with travel agencies and local governments in places like Khanh Hoa. Russian officials are also considering easier visa rules for groups traveling from Vietnam to Russia, which would strengthen two-way movement.

These steps show that both governments are committed to keeping travel simple and attractive, making it easier for more people to make the trip.

Market Indicators Show a Rapid Rise

Tourism industry data from different booking platforms reflects the wave of interest:

• Yandex Travel, a leading Russian travel search platform, reports a 49% rise in air ticket sales to Vietnam compared with last year.
• Sletat.ru, which specializes in package tours, has seen bookings increase three and a half times between February and March, year over year.
• Ostrovok, a hotel booking platform, says the number of reservations in Vietnam is up 25% since the start of March.
• Travelata.ru, a group tour provider, reports a 9% increase in month-to-month bookings for trips to Vietnam.

What do these numbers mean for the market? Vietnam has broken into the top three picks for Russians planning summer holidays, standing alongside Turkey and Egypt, and even ahead of traditional favorites like Thailand at times. This change is driven not just by more flights, but also by new attractions, upgraded hotel offerings, and affordable pricing.

Why Now? The Main Factors Driving Growth

A Look at Travel Demand

The jump in Russian arrivals in Vietnam—especially in Khanh Hoa—comes after several tough years for the travel industry. COVID-19 shut down borders and flights for much of 2020 and 2021, halting most tourism. With restrictions now mostly lifted and borders open, there is strong “pent-up” demand from Russians eager to travel abroad.

On top of this, the Russian ruble has strengthened in the past year, giving Russian travelers more buying power for international trips. Prices in Vietnam continue to be attractive in comparison to European or American vacations, making it a top pick in terms of value.

Direct Flights: Changing the Story

Restoring old routes and opening new ones has made travel much easier. Direct flights from more Russian cities give travelers more choice and cut down travel time. For people who used to consider only Moscow or Saint Petersburg as options, cities like Barnaul, Tomsk, and Ekaterinburg now offer direct links to Vietnam’s beaches.

Government Policy: Making Travel Easy

The visa waiver for Russian citizens—and talks of group visas for Vietnamese tourists to Russia—reduces red tape. People do not have to spend time or money on paperwork, which can put many travelers off. These simplified processes encourage last-minute and group bookings, two important trends in the market right now.

Promotion: Reaching Out to the Market

Joint promotion by both countries’ tourism ministries and the efforts of travel companies are keeping Vietnam “top of mind” for Russia’s growing travel class. Advertising and travel fairs help introduce new destinations within Vietnam beyond old favorites.

Partnerships with airlines and new packages created for Russian guests—for example, menus in Russian, Russian-speaking guides, and even beach resorts catering to Russian preferences—help ensure travelers feel at home.

What’s Next? A Summer of Opportunity

Industry leaders expect these trends to only get stronger through the summer of 2025. Government spokespeople note that, at the current pace, Khanh Hoa could receive thousands of Russian guests every week, filling hotels, restaurants, and attractions. The peak in charter flights—up to one hundred per month—will make Khanh Hoa one of the most connected provinces for Russian travelers in all of Vietnam.

A summary table of direct flight resumptions connecting Russia and Khanh Hoa paints a clear picture:

This expanded connectivity means more holidaymakers will be able to plan flexible trips—whether for a short beach break or longer stays. As service providers tailor more options to Russian tastes, the momentum is expected to build.

How Will This Affect Stakeholders?

For Russian Travelers

Easier, more affordable travel and more direct flights make Vietnam a practical, exciting choice—especially for families and groups. Tourists can expect better service, more Russian-language support, and special deals aimed at their needs.

For Vietnamese Businesses

Hotels, restaurants, and local tour companies stand to benefit from higher guest numbers and longer stays. They are also adapting to welcome more Russian travelers, which could increase repeat visits and stronger word-of-mouth recommendations.

For Local Communities in Khanh Hoa

The influx creates jobs and stimulates the economy, from small food sellers to large tour operators. There is also a chance for local towns to showcase their traditions, food, and sights, building a stronger link between visitors and hosts.

For Airlines

Carriers see some of the biggest rewards and also the highest stakes. They have invested heavily to open routes and secure permits. With more demand, there is a business case for even more flights, perhaps more competition, and price drops.

Possible Risks and Challenges

While the overall outlook is bright, there are a few concerns to be aware of:

• If global political or economic conditions change, flight routes or demand could shift.
• Overcrowding in popular areas like Khanh Hoa could put pressure on infrastructure or the environment.
• If too many areas focus only on Russian travelers, they may miss out on attracting a wider mix of guests.

Tourism officials are aware of these issues and are working to balance growth with the need to preserve community values and the natural beauty of the area.

A Broader Partnership

Vietnam and Russia have long enjoyed positive relations, and the rapid tourism growth brings benefits for both countries. Tourism helps make the friendship between their peoples even closer. Efforts at the government level, such as extending the visa-free policy or improving flight links, show a strong will to build on this success.

Looking Forward

All signs point to a busy and successful summer season for Khanh Hoa and the wider Vietnamese travel market. Higher flight capacity, friendlier visa policies, strong demand, and new tourism services are likely to keep numbers rising. Local businesses, airlines, and public authorities are working to make sure the benefits are spread widely and that guests feel welcomed.

For travelers thinking about visiting Vietnam—particularly Khanh Hoa—the climate has never been more welcoming. And for those interested in exploring travel regulations and official information, the Vietnam Immigration Official Portal provides the latest updates on visa exemptions and other entry requirements.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, these trends represent one of the strongest cases of tourism-driven cooperation in the region. With both Russia and Vietnam swapping more guests in the months ahead—and policy and industry support staying strong—the connection between the two looks set to only grow. Whether you are a tourist planning your trip, an operator in the travel sector, or a policymaker tracking global trends, the developments in Khanh Hoa offer lessons for building smart, people-friendly travel networks that bring lasting rewards.

Learn Today

Visa Waiver → A policy letting citizens of certain countries temporarily enter without a visa, removing paperwork and fees for up to 45 days.
Direct Flight → A nonstop flight between two destinations, reducing travel time and simplifying connections for international travelers.
Charter Airline → An airline operating flights outside regular schedules, often to meet seasonal or group travel demand.
Pent-up Demand → A sudden increase in consumer desire after restrictions, such as post-pandemic travel interest among Russians.
Cam Ranh International Airport → Main airport in Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, serving as the primary gateway for international visitors, especially Russians.

This Article in a Nutshell

Vietnam’s Khanh Hoa province is experiencing a record rise in Russian tourism, thanks to new direct flights and liberal visa rules. Russian arrivals have surged by 73% compared to last year, and experts predict further growth. These trends promise significant economic, cultural, and travel benefits for both countries as partnerships deepen.
— By VisaVerge.com

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