Attracting the Russian tourist market.

Recently, the Russian tourist market has shown signs of recovery. Many tour groups are choosing Quang Ninh as a destination for relaxation and experiences. This is considered a positive sign, opening up opportunities for Quang Ninh's tourism industry to boost promotion, improve service quality, and gradually restore the flow of high-spending international tourists.

In early May, Quang Ninh welcomed a group of over 100 Russian tourists who chose the province for a 5-day, 4-night conference and leisure trip. The group experienced a heritage tour connecting Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay, kayaking, exploring caves, enjoying local cuisine , and participating in conferences and seminars throughout their stay. This group of tourists had a long stay, high spending power, and utilized a wide range of tourism services. The arrival of this Russian group is seen as a positive sign for Quang Ninh's tourism industry in expanding its market to include high-quality international tourists.

Tourists hold conferences and seminars on board the Grand Pioneers during their heritage exploration voyages in Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay.

To expand this market, Quang Ninh has proactively implemented many promotional activities, connecting businesses and researching trends among Russian tourists. Last March, the province welcomed a famtrip delegation from the Ural Tourism Association (Russian Federation) to survey tourism products and services. Simultaneously, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism organized a networking program between Fun and Sun Vietnam Co., Ltd. – a travel agency specializing in serving Russian tourists – and tourism businesses in the province... thereby developing a linked tour "One Route - Two Destinations: Khanh Hoa and Quang Ninh," combining beach resorts with heritage experiences.

According to travel agencies, Quang Ninh has many favorable conditions to attract tourists from Russia and other countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) because it possesses a system of natural and cultural heritage sites and high-end tourism products. Ha Long Bay continues to be a prominent "brand" on the international tourism map, suitable for the relaxation and nature sightseeing needs of Russian tourists. In addition, products such as overnight cruises, exploring Bai Tu Long Bay, beach and island resorts, golf, spa treatments, and cultural and spiritual experiences are also considered suitable for the current tourism trends of this group of tourists.

A Russian famtrip delegation visited the Quang Ninh Museum in May 2026.

Another advantage of Quang Ninh is its increasingly synchronized transportation infrastructure and tourism services. Van Don International Airport is capable of receiving direct international charter flights from Russia and the CIS. The expressway system provides convenient connections to Hanoi and Hai Phong, shortening travel time for tourists. In addition, the province boasts a growing number of modern 4-5 star hotels and resorts, an international cruise ship port, and entertainment centers.

It is projected that in 2025, Vietnam will welcome approximately 21.2 million international tourists, a record high; of which, the number of visitors from Russia and CIS countries will exceed 1 million. This growth trend is expected to continue in 2026. In just the first three months of 2026, Vietnam will welcome approximately 367,000 Russian tourists, nearly three times higher than the same period in 2025, placing them among the largest international markets for Vietnamese tourism.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Duyen, representative of Anex Vietnam Trading and Tourism Company Limited, stated: Russian tourists tend to spend quite a lot on resort services, cuisine, and experiences. This is a great advantage for localities with diverse tourism ecosystems like Quang Ninh. Unique products such as cruises on Ha Long Bay, local seafood, health care services, and golf all have the potential to generate significant revenue from this group of tourists. However, to truly become an attractive destination for Russian tourists, Quang Ninh still needs to invest more heavily in specialized products and improve service quality. One of the important requirements is developing human resources capable of communicating in Russian, as the majority of tourists from this market use Russian, with only a small percentage communicating in English.

Furthermore, more attention should be paid to developing tourism programs that cater to the tastes of Russian tourists, such as: health and wellness products, longer trips; cultural experiences and high-end entertainment activities. One of the decisive factors is the possibility of opening direct charter flights from Russia to Van Don. This is considered the "key" to rapidly increasing the number of tourists, reducing transit time, and enhancing the competitiveness of the destination. If stable flight routes are established, combined with an effective promotional strategy and strong regional linkages, Quang Ninh could completely become an important destination for Russian tourists in Northern Vietnam.

Hoang Quynh

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/thu-hut-thi-truong-khach-du-lich-nga-3409089.html