Russian tourists are returning to Khanh Hoa in droves.

After a three-year absence, a wave of Russian tourists is gradually returning to the coastal city of Nha Trang, bringing hope for the recovery of Khanh Hoa's tourism industry.

Russia has long been a traditional international tourist market for Vietnam, especially Khanh Hoa province. In 2019, Khanh Hoa welcomed approximately 463,000 Russian tourists, accounting for 71.6% of the total number of Russian tourists to Vietnam. However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and political instability, flights from Russia to Khanh Hoa were suspended for a long period. In 2024, Khanh Hoa welcomed approximately 105,500 Russian tourists, a 206% increase compared to 2023, but only 22.8% of the 2019 figure.

After a three-year absence, Nha Trang beach is once again bustling with activity, featuring Russian tourists swimming in the midday sun.

PHOTO: BA DUY

Russian tourists and their travel habits.

Speaking to a reporter from Thanh Nien newspaper, Mr. Phan Dang Anh, Deputy General Director of Anex Vietnam (the company organizing charter flights), said: "In the first three months of 2025, Anex Vietnam brought more than 15,000 Russian tourists to Khanh Hoa through charter flights. From now until the end of 2025, we expect to have 100 flights per month and welcome at least 150,000 more Russian tourists to Khanh Hoa."

According to tourism professionals in Nha Trang, Russian tourists usually travel in family groups and have extended stays, ranging from 7 to 14 days.

Mr. Ngo Vu Duy, operations manager of Selectum Noa resort in Bai Dai beach area (Cam Lam District), shared: "Russian tourists enjoy beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing, snorkeling, yachting, and paragliding." Ms. Abdrakhmanova, a guest staying there, said that she and her family particularly loved swimming, sunbathing, and beach activities; next winter, she and her family will continue to choose Nha Trang as their vacation destination.

Russian tourists enjoy themselves at the beach resort along Bai Dai beach (Cam Lam District).

PHOTO: BA DUY

Meanwhile, a representative from the Lousiane restaurant near Nha Trang beach said that in the past month, the number of Russian tourists visiting the restaurant has increased significantly, by about 50% compared to the previous month. Russian tourists often enjoy drinks such as beer, cocktails, and mocktails.

Ms. Bich Son, a long-time vendor at Dam Market, shared: "Russian tourists are very generous with their spending and rarely haggle. They mainly buy dried mangoes, cashews, macadamia nuts, and especially love Vietnamese tea."

Russian tourists leisurely stroll along Nha Trang beach on the afternoon of April 4th.

PHOTO: BA DUY

What can we do to attract Russian tourists?

According to Mr. Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Khanh Hoa province, in the first quarter, Khanh Hoa's tourism industry welcomed approximately 49,100 Russian tourists, an increase of 110.74% compared to the same period in 2024, a rather positive figure in the current context.

In an effort to boost this market, a delegation from Khanh Hoa province recently visited and worked in the Russian Federation, successfully organizing a tourism promotion conference in Moscow. The delegation also held two important meetings with Aeroflot and the Anex Tour Moscow office. The trip yielded many positive results in promoting the reopening of direct flights and attracting Russian tourists to Khanh Hoa province.

In addition, Pegas Misr Vietnam will cooperate with Ikar International Airlines of Pegas Touristik Group to organize flights from the Russian market and countries of the former Soviet Union. The first flight is expected to depart from Khabarovsk Novy International Airport to Cam Ranh International Airport on April 18th.

"Restoring direct flights from Russia to Cam Ranh will help diversify the sources of international tourists, reduce dependence on certain markets, and aim to achieve the target of welcoming 11.8 million tourists, including 5.2 million international tourists, and generating 60,000 billion VND in tourism revenue in 2025," said Mr. Cung Quynh Anh.

Russian tourists often travel with their families and enjoy beach activities such as swimming and sunbathing.

PHOTO: BA DUY

However, Mr. Anh also added that, because the resumption of flights coincided with the end of the winter tourist season for Russians, maintaining and developing this market in the future will play a crucial role for Khanh Hoa's tourism industry.

The province will implement numerous activities and events both domestically and internationally to promote the image of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa tourism to visitors, such as international tourism fairs, welcoming Famtrip groups, producing tourism promotional publications in Russian, upgrading tourism products to suit the needs of long-term vacations and targeting high-spending tourists...

Mr. Anh believes that the return of Russian tourists brings many advantages because of their longer stays and their tendency to spend more on resort services, spas, food, and entertainment. Khanh Hoa already has a well-established system of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and human resources to serve this market. In addition, the 45-day visa exemption policy for Russian tourists makes entry more convenient.

Currently, Khanh Hoa's tourism products are not commensurate with its potential, especially nighttime tourism products, which are still very lacking and limited.

PHOTO: BA DUY

However, Khanh Hoa's tourism industry also faces several challenges, such as a severe shortage of tourism workers capable of communicating in Russian after the pandemic, due to many changing careers or quitting their jobs. Khanh Hoa is also facing fierce competition from many destinations in the region such as Thailand, Maldives, and Türkiye.

Therefore, Khanh Hoa's tourism industry needs a sustainable development strategy, investment in upgrading high-quality tourism products, and enhanced cooperation with major Russian airlines and tourism corporations to restore regular flight routes.

At the same time, digitalization in tourism promotion and visitor reception needs to be accelerated to increase accessibility to international tourists in the context of digital transformation. Currently, Khanh Hoa's tourism products are not commensurate with its potential, especially nighttime tourism products, which are still very lacking and limited.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khach-nga-don-dap-tro-lai-khanh-hoa-185250404144805316.htm