Da Nang welcomes first Vladivostok flight with 220 passengers, eyes growth in Russian, CIS arrivals

The flight landed at Da Nang International Airport at 2:05 pm, carrying nearly 220 passengers and signaling the reopening and expansion of a key international tourism market for the coastal city.

Operated by Anex Vietnam Trading and Tourism Co. Ltd., the service is part of a coordinated program to bring visitors from Russia, the CIS, and Belarus to Da Nang through a network of charter flights.

The program, running from mid-April to late October, will connect the city with eight destinations across these markets, with a planned frequency of up to 36 flights per month, equivalent to about 4,800 passengers monthly.

Total arrivals under the program are expected to reach around 25,500 during the period, contributing to the recovery of Da Nang’s international tourism sector.

Capacity is set to increase during the peak season from mid-May to late September, when monthly arrivals could climb to roughly 11,000 visitors, generating demand for an estimated 1,800 hotel rooms per night.

Nguyen Thi Duyen, a board member of Anex Vietnam, said travelers from Russia and the CIS typically stay six to nine nights and favor three-to-five-star accommodations, making them a valuable segment for the local tourism industry.

In the first three months of 2026, Da Nang recorded about 2.3 million international arrivals, including more than 100,000 visitors from Russia and the CIS, accounting for approximately 4.35 percent of the total, according to the municipal Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

The city is targeting tourism growth of 30-40 percent this year compared to 2025, supported by expanded air connectivity and promotional efforts.

Charter services from Russia and the CIS are being expanded to include routes from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Belarus, and multiple Russian cities, reflecting rising demand from these markets.

Travel firms are scaling up operations, with Anex Tour planning around 169 flights carrying about 23,000 passengers, while Crystal Bay expects to operate roughly 400 flights, bringing between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors.

While Phu Quoc and Nha Trang have long been favored by Russian tourists, Da Nang is increasingly attracting attention thanks to its developed tourism infrastructure, extended beach season, and diverse coastal offerings.