More than 742,000 Russians visited Vietnam in the first half of 2026, up 2.8 times year-on-year, according to the General Statistics Office.
It made Russia Vietnam’s third-largest source of foreign tourists behind only China and South Korea.
Data from the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) also shows that 7.8% of all Russian package tours were to Vietnam.
The association estimates Vietnam is on track to receive over one million Russian visitors this year, marking a 50% increase from the all-time record number in 2019.
That first-half surge the country ahead of traditional favorites destinations like Thailand and China in tour sales in Russia.
A key driver of this has been the expanding air links.
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Tourists enjoy the sun and sea on Nha Trang beach, Vietnam. Photo by Sephylmism via Pexels |
According to the news portal of Khanh Hoa Province, home to beach towns Cam Ranh and Nha Trang, airlines currently operate 85-95 weekly charter flights from various Russian cities directly into Cam Ranh International Airport.
Nha Trang received 620,000 Russian visitors in the first half.
Outside traditional southern hotspots, Russian travel operators are also expanding into new regions.
According to the portal of Quang Ninh Province, home to the UNESCO World Heritage site Ha Long Bay, major tour operators like Anex Tour recently met with local authorities and signed agreements to start direct charter flights.
Beyond flight frequencies and others, however, the key could be Vietnam’s appeal.
A Russian travel blogger, quoted recently by Vietnam News, captured the sentiment, describing Vietnam as “cheaper than Türkiye, more colourful than Thailand.”
They listed five main factors: simplified visa processes, affordable travel costs, diverse hotel options spanning from beach towns to island resorts, a safe environment, and rich local experiences.
In a market analysis published by ATOR, executive director Maya Lomidze said Russian travelers have a limited selection of destinations since European and Caribbean options constrained by higher travel costs and complicated flight routes.
The association pointed to a general shift toward Asian beach locations following reduced capacity in the United Arab Emirates and a slowdown in Russian domestic tourism.
Besides, Russian visitors are increasingly looking beyond basic resort stays to engage directly with local culture.
What makes this time different is the change in how Russian travel companies operate in Vietnam.
According to industry outlet eTurboNews, charter programs historically focused on winter holidays to Phu Quoc Island.
Now, airlines and tour operators run seasonal programs to Da Nang and Nha Trang during the summer, turning Vietnam into a year-round destination for Russian visitors.
This transformation is backed by strong cooperation between Russian travel companies and local authorities in Vietnam.
Khanh Hoa Province vice chairman Trinh Minh Hoang, for instance, met with Inna Tour to coordinate flight schedules and service capacity to handle travellers’ rising demand.
According to Vietnam News, travel operators are increasing summer flights to Da Nang and preparing to launch direct services to Phu Quoc this autumn.