Promoting Vietnamese tourism in Irkutsk - a strategic connection point between Russia and Asia

Continuing the activities to promote Vietnamese tourism in the Russian Federation, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism organized a program to introduce Vietnamese tourism and connect businesses in Irkutsk - the capital of Eastern Siberia.

Deputy Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy speaks at the program

In his opening speech, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism Pham Van Thuy said that the official diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Russian Federation were established on January 30, 1950, and have now gone through 75 years. Beyond the geographical distance, the two countries have great similarities in history, spirit, values ​​and development orientation. Both nations are "in tune" in spirit, "sympathize" in overcoming challenges and "accompany" each other on the development journey, above all, in comradeship and brotherhood. In the world, few countries have always held such a deep, steadfast affection in the hearts of generations of Vietnamese people as the former Soviet Union and today's Russia. In the trend of international economic integration, the two countries also have great potential to complement each other in the process of cooperation and development, including in the field of tourism.

For Vietnam, the Russian Federation is one of the leading important tourism markets, expected to grow strongly in the coming years. In 2019, the number of Russian tourists to Vietnam reached 650 thousand, ranking 6th among the leading markets sending tourists. After the interruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, in the first 7 months of 2025, the number of Russian tourists to Vietnam is growing rapidly with a growth rate of 57% over the same period last year, reaching 315 thousand; nearly 3 times the number of visitors in the whole year of 2023 and more than 2 times the number of visitors in 2024. The Russian Federation is one of the top 5 trading partners of Vietnam in Europe with the export value of goods from Vietnam reaching 2.34 billion USD in 2024, an increase of 34.5% over the previous year.

Vietnam National Administration of Tourism introduces tourism development policies, destinations, and unique types of tourism in Vietnam.

For the Russian Federation, Vietnam is Russia's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia. Vietnam has 16 valid investment projects in Russia with a total registered capital of 1.6 billion USD. Currently, 5 provinces and cities of Vietnam have signed cooperation or twinning agreements with 10 localities of Russia and many Vietnamese people want to come to Russia to study, seek business cooperation opportunities and explore and experience the destinations and unique tourism products of the Russian Federation.

Irkutsk is a large and ancient city; the cultural and scientific capital of Eastern Siberia; the gateway to Lake Baikal, a strategic connection point between Russia and Asia. Irkutsk has great potential for cooperation with Vietnam in many fields, especially tourism, science and education.

Program Overview

Deputy Director Pham Van Thuy emphasized that the program to introduce Vietnamese tourism in Irkutsk city, Russian Federation this time is a good opportunity for Vietnamese and Russian tourism enterprises to share information, move towards business cooperation, develop two-way tourism in the context of recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic, preparing for a new, stronger development phase.

At the same time, the Deputy Director believes that through today's program, with diverse communication activities, and the support of central and local State management agencies, tourism exchange activities between the two countries will be promoted, deepening the strong friendship between Vietnam and the Russian Federation.

Businesses of the two countries introduce tourism products

At the program, the Vietnamese delegation updated information on the development of Vietnam's tourism, favorable policies, outstanding destinations and products suitable for Russian tourists' tastes (beach resorts, sports, medical tourism, health care...). In addition, the Vietnam - Russia business connection program created conditions for businesses to exchange directly, establish cooperative relationships, and build new products that are more suitable to market needs.

The Vietnam - Russia business connection program creates conditions for businesses to exchange directly, establish cooperative relationships, and build new products that are more suitable to market needs.

The Vietnam tourism promotion program in the Russian Federation organized by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism in Moscow and Irkutsk city has made an important mark in promoting the image of the country, people and tourism of Vietnam to Russian friends, while expanding business cooperation opportunities between enterprises of the two countries. Activities introducing destinations, unique tourism products and business connection programs have contributed practically to promoting the exchange of visitors and strengthening cooperation in the tourism sector. The program took place in the context of the two countries celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the 80th anniversary of the Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War of the Russian Federation and the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day, further affirming the great significance in consolidating the traditional friendship and developing the Vietnam - Russian Federation Comprehensive Strategic Partnership increasingly deeply and effectively.

In recent times, the two countries have had many cooperation activities, creating favorable conditions for tourist exchange such as: Signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Vietnam - Russian Federation tourism cooperation for the period 2025-2030; Vietnam Airlines, Vietjet Air of Vietnam and airlines of the Russian Federation have opened many direct flights connecting major cities and tourist centers of the two countries. Tourism agencies of the two countries organize tourism promotion activities in each other's countries such as: Coordinating the organization of survey delegations, market launching programs, participating in each other's international tourism fairs and other activities to promote tourist exchange between the two countries.

Convenient direct flights; simple entry and exit procedures; attractive destinations and tourism products; warm and hospitable people are ideal conditions to promote tourism development between the two countries.

Vietnam National Tourism Administration

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/xuc-tien-du-lich-viet-nam-tai-irkutsk-diem-ket-noi-chien-luoc-giua-nga-va-chau-a-20250903151656779.htm