Russian tourists flock back to Khanh Hoa

Russia has long been a traditional international tourist market for Vietnam tourism, especially Khanh Hoa. In 2019, Khanh Hoa welcomed about 463,000 Russian visitors, accounting for 71.6% of the total number of Russian visitors to Vietnam. However, due to the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and political instability, flights from Russia to Khanh Hoa have been suspended for a long time. In 2024, Khanh Hoa will welcome about 105,500 Russian visitors, an increase of 206% compared to 2023 but only 22.8% compared to 2019.

After 3 years of absence, Nha Trang beach is crowded again with images of Russian tourists swimming in the midday sun.

PHOTO: BA DUY

Russian tourists and travel habits

Speaking to Thanh Nien reporter, Mr. Phan Dang Anh, Deputy General Director of Anex Vietnam Company (the unit organizing charter flights), said: "In the first three months of 2025, Anex Vietnam brought more than 15,000 Russian visitors to Khanh Hoa through charter flights. From now until the end of 2025, it is expected that there will be 100 flights/month and welcome at least 150,000 more Russian visitors to Khanh Hoa".

According to tourism workers in Nha Trang, Russian tourists often travel in family groups and stay for long periods of time, from 7 to 14 days.

Mr. Ngo Vu Duy, operations manager of Selectum Noa resort in Bai Dai beach area (Cam Lam district) shared: "Russian guests love beach activities such as swimming, sunbathing, diving to see corals, going on cruises and paragliding, sunbathing and playing games on the beach". Ms. Abdrakhmanova, a guest staying here, said that she and her family especially love swimming, sunbathing and playing games on the beach; next winter she and her family will continue to choose Nha Trang as a resort.

Russian tourists have fun at the beach resort along Bai Dai beach (Cam Lam district)

PHOTO: BA DUY

Meanwhile, a representative of Lousiane restaurant near Nha Trang beach said that in the past month, the number of Russian guests visiting Lousiane restaurant has increased significantly, with an increase of about 50% compared to the previous month. Russian guests often enjoy drinks such as beer, cocktails and mocktails.

Ms. Bich Son, a long-time vendor at Dam Market, shared: "Russian customers spend very freely and rarely bargain. They mainly buy dried mangoes, cashews, macadamia nuts and especially like to buy Vietnamese tea."

Russian tourists comfortably stroll on Nha Trang beach on the afternoon of April 4.

PHOTO: BA DUY

What to do to attract Russian customers?

Mr. Cung Quynh Anh, Deputy Director of Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, estimated that in the first quarter, Khanh Hoa tourism industry welcomed about 49,100 Russian visitors, an increase of 110.74% over the same period in 2024, a quite positive number in the current context.

In an effort to promote this market, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Delegation recently visited and worked in the Russian Federation and successfully organized a tourism promotion conference in Moscow. The delegation also had two important working sessions with Aeroflot Airlines and Anex Tour Moscow Office. The trip brought many positive results in promoting the reopening of direct flights and attracting Russian tourists to Khanh Hoa Province.

In addition, Pegas Misr Vietnam will cooperate with Ikar International Airlines of Pegas Touristik Group to organize flights from the Russian market and countries of the former Soviet Union. The first flight is expected to depart from Khabarovsk Novy International Airport to Cam Ranh International Airport on April 18.

"Restoring direct flights from Russia to Cam Ranh helps diversify international tourist sources, reduce dependence on certain markets, and aim to achieve the goal of welcoming 11.8 million visitors, including 5.2 million international visitors, with tourism revenue reaching VND60,000 billion in 2025," said Mr. Cung Quynh Anh.

Russian tourists often travel with their families and enjoy beach activities such as swimming and sunbathing.

PHOTO: BA DUY

However, Mr. Anh also added that because the time to restore flights falls at the end of the winter tourist season for Russian tourists, maintaining and developing this market in the coming time will play an important role for Khanh Hoa's tourism industry.

The province will carry out many activities and events at home and abroad to promote and advertise the image of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa tourism to tourists such as international tourism fairs, welcoming Famtrip groups, producing tourism promotion publications in Russian, upgrading tourism products to suit the needs of long-term vacations and targeting the segment of customers with high spending ability....

Mr. Anh said that the return of Russian tourists brings many advantages because of their long stay and tendency to spend a lot on resort, spa, food and entertainment services. Khanh Hoa already has a system of hotels, resorts, restaurants and human resources to serve this market well. In addition, the 45-day visa exemption policy for Russian tourists makes entry more convenient.

Currently, Khanh Hoa's tourism products are not yet commensurate with its potential, especially night tourism products are still very lacking and limited.

PHOTO: BA DUY

However, Khanh Hoa tourism industry also faces some challenges such as: the tourism workforce with the ability to communicate in Russian has been seriously lacking after the pandemic, due to many employees changing jobs or quitting. Khanh Hoa is also facing fierce competition with many destinations in the region such as Thailand, Maldives, Türkiye.

Therefore, Khanh Hoa tourism industry needs to have a sustainable development strategy, invest in upgrading high-quality tourism products and strengthen cooperation with major Russian airlines and tourism groups to restore regular flights.

At the same time, digitalization in promotion and reception work also needs to be promoted, in order to increase accessibility to international tourists in the context of digital transformation. Currently, Khanh Hoa's tourism products are not commensurate with its potential, especially night tourism products are still very lacking and limited.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/khach-nga-don-dap-tro-lai-khanh-hoa-185250404144805316.htm