Tourist market from CIS countries is booming

Since the beginning of 2025, the number of tourists from CIS countries (former Soviet Union countries) to Khanh Hoa has shown signs of strong recovery. In particular, the restoration of direct flights from Russia to Cam Ranh has increased the number of Russian visitors by more than 146% compared to the same period last year.

Lively with Russian speaking guests

According to statistics from Cam Ranh International Airport, in April, the airport welcomed 144 flights from CIS countries - double that of March. Of which, Russian visitors accounted for the largest proportion. A report from the provincial Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism shows that in the first 4 months of the year, Khanh Hoa welcomed 80,642 Russian visitors, an increase of 146% over the same period in 2024; Kazakhstan visitors reached 30,617, an increase of 27.47%.

Russian guests are welcome on direct flights from Kazan city to Khanh Hoa .

Tourism businesses also recorded positive growth. Ms. Do Thi Hang - Director of Amega Tourism Co., Ltd. said: "Previously, the company welcomed about 7,500 Kazakhstani guests each month. Since May, when expanding to exploit Russian guests, the number of guests from CIS countries can reach 12,000 - 14,000 per month." According to Ms. Hoang Thi Phong Thu - Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Pegas Misr Vietnam Travel Co., Ltd., the demand for tourism in Vietnam, and especially Khanh Hoa, from Russian guests is increasing sharply. In May alone, the company organized 21 flights from Russian cities to Cam Ranh, equivalent to 9,000 guests.

On May 11, Vinpearl Joint Stock Company signed a memorandum of understanding with four leading tourism enterprises in the Russian Federation: Anex Tourism Russia, FUN & SUN, One Click Travel and Coral Travel.
The signing ceremony took place within the framework of the Vietnam - Russia Business Forum, witnessed by General Secretary To Lam, Deputy Prime Minister of Russia Dmitry Chernyshenko and senior officials representing the two countries. At the event, Vinpearl and four leading tourism enterprises in Russia signed and exchanged memorandums of understanding on strategic cooperation to promote Vinpearl products in particular and Vietnam tourism in general. Vinpearl will work with its partners to promote the opening of additional charter flights, connecting Russian cities to Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.

The good growth of visitors from CIS countries makes the tourism atmosphere of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa visible everywhere. On the streets and beaches of Nha Trang, it is easy to see Russian-speaking tourists. At night, restaurants and bars in the Western Quarter become crowded and bustling. Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Phuong - manager of a convenience store on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street shared that for more than a month now, the number of Russian visitors coming to buy goods has increased significantly, the store's revenue has improved significantly. Fruit sellers also noted that the return of Russian visitors has helped them do business more smoothly.

Expectations of a "boom" in Russian tourists

According to the representative of Cam Ranh International Terminal Joint Stock Company, there are currently about 40 flights per week from CIS countries to Cam Ranh, of which Russia alone accounts for 20 flights per week, operated by 5 airlines including: Azur Air, Aeroflot, Ir Aero Airlines, Ikar Airlines and Red Wings. Mr. Cung Quynh Anh - Deputy Director of the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, commented that expanding direct flights from CIS countries to Cam Ranh is a favorable condition for Khanh Hoa to attract visitors, especially the Russian market.

Russian guests look at the menu at a restaurant on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, Nha Trang City.

The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism aims to welcome over 400,000 Russian visitors in 2025, double the number in 2024. Khanh Hoa continues to be identified as the top destination for Russian tourists in Vietnam.

Mr. Phan Dang Anh - Deputy General Director of Anex Vietnam Trading and Tourism Company Limited said: "We are cooperating with Azur Air and Red Wings to organize more than 70 flights/month from 12 Russian cities to Cam Ranh. The number of flights is expected to continue to increase in the coming time." In addition, many other travel businesses such as: Pegas Misr, Amega, Fun and Sun Vietnam are also promoting the exploitation of this market.

Notably, Vinpearl Joint Stock Company recently signed a cooperation agreement with four major Russian travel companies. Khanh Hoa Tourism leaders expect this to be an important boost, strongly promoting the growth of the Russian tourist market in Khanh Hoa and the whole country.

XUAN THANH

Source: https://baokhanhhoa.vn/du-lich/202505/thi-truong-khach-du-lich-tu-cac-nuoc-cis-khoi-sac-90220bc/