Finding solutions to address the shortage of Russian-speaking tour guides.

On the morning of May 27th, Mr. Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, chaired a meeting with representatives from various departments, agencies, travel businesses, and colleges and universities in the province to discuss solutions to address the shortage of Russian-speaking tour guides.

Báo Khánh Hòa•27/05/2026

Mr. Cung Quynh Anh delivered the concluding remarks at the meeting.

Recently, the number of tourists from Russia and other Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries visiting Khanh Hoa has grown significantly. In 2025, the province is expected to welcome 505,935 Russian visitors, a 4.7-fold increase compared to 2024. In the first four months of 2026, this number reached over 386,800, a 4.8-fold increase compared to the same period. Currently, approximately 10 to 12 flights from 30 cities in Russia and CIS countries land in Khanh Hoa daily, bringing around 2,000 to 2,500 visitors. Notably, Russian tourists tend to stay for 9 to 14 days, and there is a high demand for tour packages .

According to estimates from travel agencies, Khanh Hoa's tourism industry needs approximately 150 Russian-speaking tour guides. To date, the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism has issued 83 Russian-speaking tour guide licenses, but many of these are elderly or have limited professional skills, resulting in a significant shortage of Russian-speaking guides. Furthermore, businesses lack personnel fluent in Russian to manage operations, provide transportation, and assist tourists. Representatives from universities and colleges in the province stated that recruiting students for Russian language programs is challenging. Currently, no university in Khanh Hoa offers a bachelor's degree program in Russian.

Mr. Nguyen Quang Thang, Vice President of the Khanh Hoa Tourism Association, spoke at the meeting.

At the meeting, delegates proposed numerous solutions, both short-term and long-term. In the short term, it is necessary to review the list of individuals who have studied, lived, or worked in Russia to organize professional training courses for tour guides in accordance with regulations, while also implementing flexible, short-term training courses tailored to the needs of businesses. In the medium and long term, it is necessary to strengthen the links between tourism associations, training institutions, businesses, and state management agencies in developing practical training programs. The content should not only focus on foreign languages but also emphasize communication skills, customer service, cultural knowledge, tourism-related legal regulations, and situational handling.

Concluding the meeting, Mr. Cung Quynh Anh acknowledged the opinions and stated that the unit would coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to advise the Provincial People's Committee on appropriate solutions to gradually build a high-quality tourism workforce, meeting the requirements of Khanh Hoa's tourism development during the period of strong growth in the international tourist market.