'Russian Street' is revived.

After years of stagnation, the "Russian Quarter" in Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa) has regained its vibrancy, bringing life back to the area and helping local people thrive in business, opening up many new opportunities for the tourism service industry after the pandemic.

Since March 2025, the neighborhood once dubbed the "Russian Quarter" in Nha Trang has gradually regained its vibrancy and become bustling again. After nearly three years of absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Russian tourists have returned to Nha Trang, creating a lively atmosphere in streets that had previously been deserted.

Russian tourists at Nha Trang beach

PHOTO: BA DUY

Along Hung Vuong, Nguyen Thien Thuat, Biet Thu, Tran Quang Khai streets, and other areas, Nha Trang's Western Quarter is bustling with foreign tourists, the majority of whom are Russian. Restaurants, hotels, spas, and food establishments catering to Russian tourists are all operating busily.

Having worked in the tourism and travel industry serving Russian tourists for nearly 20 years, Mr. Nguyen Van Hoa shared that a few years ago, he almost wanted to change professions because after Covid-19, Nha Trang seemed to have no Russian tourists left. "Before the Covid-19 outbreak, there were a lot of Russian tourists in Nha Trang. They always accounted for the highest percentage of international tourists visiting Khanh Hoa. It's been several years since I've seen Russian tourists return and be as vibrant as they are now," Mr. Hoa said.

Ms. Tran Thi Lan, owner of a fashion store on Tran Quang Khai Street, located in an area with many services catering to Russian tourists such as restaurants, bars, spas, and souvenir shops with signs in both Vietnamese and Russian, confided: "I had to close my shop for more than two years because there were no more Russian customers, but now Russian customers have returned and my store has revived."

The resumption of direct flights from Russia has brought Russian tourists back to Nha Trang.

PHOTO: BA DUY

Not only shops and restaurants, but also services catering to Russian tourists have seen a significant improvement in their fortunes. Le Trung Kien, a taxi driver in Nha Trang, said: "Since Russian tourists returned, my income has increased considerably. They often travel in groups and book cars for the whole day to visit tourist attractions. I've had to learn some basic Russian phrases to communicate with them." Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Thu Huong, the owner of a small hotel in the "Russian Quarter," said her hotel is fully booked until the end of June. Russian tourists usually travel in family or group with friends, preferring quiet, clean spaces close to the beach. Many have booked rooms for extended stays of 10-15 nights.

According to our reporter's observations, many local businesses have proactively improved the quality of their services and learned more about Russian culture and language to better serve customers. Restaurants have added Russian menus, and souvenir shops have also listed prices in both Russian rubles and Vietnamese dong.

Services catering to Russian tourists are also in high demand.

PHOTO: BA DUY

Mr. Tran Van Dai, the owner of a restaurant specializing in serving Russian customers on Nguyen Thien Thuat Street, said: "We have hired more staff who speak Russian and adjusted the menu to suit Russian tastes. They particularly love fresh seafood and Vietnamese dishes adapted to their palates."

Nightlife services like bars and nightclubs, once a favorite destination for Russian tourists, are also gradually becoming vibrant again. DJ Alexey, a Russian artist working at a nightclub in Nha Trang, said he came to Vietnam at the beginning of this year when he learned that flights from Russia to Nha Trang had resumed. He plays electronic music, a genre very popular with young Russians. Every night, his club is packed with customers.

Despite its recent recovery, positive signals from "Russian Quarter" are spreading to other areas of the city. According to preliminary statistics, from March to May 2025, five Russian airlines opened direct flights to Khanh Hoa , including Azur Air, Aeroflot, IrAero Airlines, Ikar Airlines, and most recently, Red Wings. With increasing frequency, it is expected that by July there will be 90-100 flights per month bringing Russian tourists to Nha Trang.

Russian tourists often spend a lot on high-end services such as spas, cruises, and fine dining. They also enjoy shopping for local products such as fish sauce, various teas, handicrafts, and especially bird's nest products – a famous specialty of Khanh Hoa province. Valentina, a Russian tourist currently vacationing in Nha Trang, shared: "I've been to Nha Trang four times since 2015. I love the friendliness of the people, the beautiful beaches, and the delicious food. Prices here are also very reasonable compared to other tourist destinations. I will recommend Nha Trang to my friends when I return to Russia."

Mr. Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said: "The return of Russian tourists has brought great impetus to the tourism and service industry in Nha Trang. We are encouraging local businesses to improve service quality and diversify products to meet the increasingly high demands of tourists."

PHOTO: BA DUY

Mr. Cung Quynh Anh also stated that the return of Russian tourists presents many opportunities due to their longer stays and tendency to spend more on resort services, spas, food, and entertainment. Khanh Hoa already has a well-developed system of hotels, resorts, restaurants, and human resources to serve this market. Furthermore, the 45-day visa exemption policy for Russian tourists facilitates entry. In the first four months of 2025, Khanh Hoa welcomed over 80,000 Russian tourists, a 2.5-fold increase compared to the same period in 2024. According to Khanh Hoa province's tourism development plan, the province aims to welcome 11.8 million tourists in 2025, including 5.2 million international visitors. With the current growth momentum, especially the strong return of Russian tourists, this goal is entirely achievable.

From a desolate state, the "Russian Quarter" in Nha Trang is gradually regaining its vibrancy and bustling atmosphere. Local residents are excited about new business opportunities, while Russian tourists are also pleased to return to their favorite destination. This is a positive sign not only for the "Russian Quarter" but also for the entire tourism industry of Khanh Hoa province in its recovery and development journey after the pandemic.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/pho-nga-hoi-sinh-18525061622580969.htm