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Vietnam is witnessing remarkable growth in the number of Russian tourists, thanks to the expansion of flight routes and effective tourism support policies. According to reports from Russian media, Vietnam is currently the fastest-growing destination in Southeast Asia, even gradually surpassing Thailand in popularity among Russian tourists.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, 2019 saw an impressive number of nearly 650,000 Russian tourists visiting Vietnam. However, this number subsequently declined sharply due to the impact of the pandemic and geopolitical changes. Nevertheless, with the strong recovery of the tourism industry, Vietnam is gradually becoming a top choice for Russian tourists, potentially replacing Thailand and Türkiye.
The launch of charter flights and the expansion of regular flights from Russia to Vietnam have led to a significant increase in demand for travel to Vietnam among Russians.
Statistics from major Russian booking systems and travel companies show that demand for travel to Vietnam is growing at a rapid pace. According to Travelata.ru, group tour bookings to Vietnam increased by 9% in February compared to January and continued to rise by another 5% in March. Sletat.ru also noted that sales of tours to Vietnam from the beginning of February to mid-March increased 3.4 times compared to the same period in 2024.
Level Travel reported a fourfold increase in tour sales to Vietnam in March, primarily driven by demand from regions within Russia. Russian Express also reported a 5.5-fold increase in flight bookings to Vietnam compared to the previous year, with a projected 20% increase as new flights become available. Ostrovok travel company stated that Russian demand for travel to Vietnam in the first few months of 2025 increased by 73% compared to 2024, with Nha Trang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Phu Quoc being the most popular destinations.
According to Russian media, Vietnam has become the fastest-growing destination in Southeast Asia for the Russian market.
One of the key factors contributing to this growth is the reopening and expansion of direct flights between Russia and Vietnam. This has helped reduce travel time and costs, making it easier for Russian tourists to explore the beauty of Vietnam.
The strong growth of the Russian tourism market in Vietnam is creating a new impetus for the country's tourism industry. Russian and Vietnamese airlines are actively expanding their flight networks, facilitating Russian tourists' access to explore the beauty of Vietnam.
According to Russian Express, sales of flights to Vietnam increased 5.5 times compared to the same period in 2024.
Aeroflot, Russia's national airline, officially launched the Moscow-Nha Trang route on March 22nd, marking a significant step in connecting the two countries. Vietnam Airlines also plans to operate a regular flight from Hanoi to Moscow starting in May 2025, opening up more travel options for tourists.
In addition, airlines Azur Air and Pegas Touristik are expanding charter programs from nine cities in Siberia and the Far East to Vietnam, offering more Russians the opportunity to travel to Vietnam. According to data from Yandex Travel, air ticket sales from Russia to Vietnam have increased by 49% compared to the same period last year, with an average ticket price of approximately 81,000 Rubles (equivalent to 950 USD).
According to Yandex Travel, air ticket sales to Vietnam increased by 49% year-on-year, and the average cost of a flight was 81,000 Rubles (approximately $950).
Vietnam is gradually becoming a direct competitor to familiar tourist destinations for Russians such as Thailand, Türkiye, and Egypt. Tourist overcrowding in Thailand and rising prices in Türkiye and Egypt have made Vietnam a more attractive option.
The prices for tours in Vietnam are currently considered very good.
One of Vietnam's major competitive advantages is its attractive tour prices. According to the travel company Satmarket, a two-week vacation at a 5-star hotel for two people, including half-day meals in July, costs only about $1,500. This is a very competitive price compared to other destinations.
With the boom in flight routes and policies to attract tourists, Vietnam is aiming to welcome approximately 500,000 Russian visitors by 2025. This will create a strong boost for Vietnam's tourism industry, helping the country affirm its position as an attractive destination in Southeast Asia.
