Russian tourists return in greater numbers to Vietnam’s Nha Trang

Nguyen Van Nhuan, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, reported on Wednesday that Khanh Hoa welcomed over 4.6 million overnight visitors in the first five months of 2025.

This marks a 19.3-percent increase compared to the same period last year and reaches 39 percent of the province’s annual target.

International arrivals accounted for more than 2.2 million visitors, up 10.8 percent year on year, with Russian tourists making a notable comeback.

Cung Quynh Anh, deputy director of the tourism department, noted the continued growth in Russian arrivals.

In May alone, Cam Ranh Airport received 16 weekly charter flights and three commercial flights carrying Russian tourists.

In the first quarter, Khanh Hoa welcomed about 49,100 Russian visitors, representing a 110.7-percent increase compared to the same period in 2024.

Russia is now one of Khanh Hoa’s key markets, with visitors typically staying between seven and 14 days and favoring high-end services such as resorts, spas, fine dining, and luxury entertainment.

Despite the positive outlook, Khanh Hoa faces stiff competition from other popular destinations like Thailand, the Maldives, and Turkey, which actively attract Russian travelers with flexible policies and attractive travel packages.

Anh highlighted the need to address weaknesses in serving Russian tourists, including a lack of diverse tourism products and a shortage of Russian-speaking staff.

“Khanh Hoa's current offerings still do not fully match the potential of the Russian market, especially in terms of nightlife activities,” he said.

Nguyen Thi Uyen Chi, deputy head of the Khanh Hoa Hotel Association, shared that tour operators and former Russian travel partners are returning and actively seeking new tour packages and hotel room allocations.

To encourage Russian arrivals during the 2025 summer season, hotels in Nha Trang are offering promotions such as one free night for 10-day stays or complimentary meals for shorter visits.

“The return of Russian tourists this summer is very positive for hotels in Nha Trang,” Chi added.

Hoang Thi Phong Thu, chairwoman of Pegas Misr Vietnam Travel Company, said Russian visitors stay around 12 days on average and enjoy fresh seafood and tropical fruits like mango, dragon fruit, banana, papaya, passion fruit, coconut, and Vietnamese coffee.

“They also like purchasing light industrial products and handicrafts from Vietnam, including ready-to-wear clothes, handbags, pearls, lacquerware, and hand embroidery, all of which Nha Trang can provide well,” Thu said.

However, she stressed the urgent need to improve staffing levels and address the shortage of Russian-speaking tour guides.

“There is a pressing demand for professional guides fluent in Russian who also hold international licenses,” she added.