Published on
August 19, 2025
By 2025, Vietnam earns its place beside Türkiye, the UAE, China, Thailand, and Egypt as one of the hottest spots for Russian holidaymakers. This major shift in Russian travel habits owes a lot to fresh direct flights and budget-friendly transfer deals that cut travel time and costs. With everything falling into place, it’s now simpler for Russians to hop over to Vietnam. The country’s tourism boom rides on purposeful steps to welcome their visitors, including special charter flights and pocket-friendly prices, which together confirm Vietnam’s status as a favorite getaway for Russian tourists this year.
Introduction: Russian Outbound Travel Sees Major Shift in 2025
In the first half of 2025, Russian outbound tourism witnessed a dynamic transformation, with a remarkable 7.8% increase in trips made by Russian tourists compared to 2024. 13.6 million trips were recorded, covering 138 countries globally. As international travel rebounds and shifts in preferences become apparent, Vietnam has seen a dramatic rise, joining the ranks of established destinations like Türkiye, UAE, China, Thailand, and Egypt as one of the most favored locations for Russian travelers.
This growth is not by chance. Factors like affordable flight connections, direct flight routes, and charter programs introduced by Russian travel agencies have greatly boosted Vietnam’s appeal. The Vietnamese government, along with key airline partners, has focused on improving access to the country, resulting in a significant uptick in arrivals from Russia.
Vietnam’s Meteoric Rise Among Russian Outbound Destinations
The early months of 2025 showed that Vietnam has emerged as one of the top ten travel destinations for Russian tourists. In fact, the country has risen to 7th place, up from 9th in 2024, outpacing several other well-established destinations. This trend underscores the growing attractiveness of Vietnam’s vibrant culture, affordable travel options, and stunning natural landscapes, which have become increasingly accessible to the Russian market.
The surge can be attributed to a combination of strategic factors, including direct flight availability and competitive prices for transit flights via China. These factors have made it easier for Russian tourists to travel to Vietnam, whether for its tropical beaches, rich heritage, or thriving city life.
Major Airlines Contributing to the Surge
One of the primary reasons for Vietnam’s surge in popularity is the increase in direct flight routes connecting Russia to Vietnam. In September 2025, Aeroflot, Russia’s largest airline, will introduce a new direct flight between Irkutsk and Cam Ranh, with plans to expand from two flights per week to four per week by October. Similarly, direct flights connecting Yekaterinburg and Nha Trang will begin on September 29, utilizing wide-body aircraft for improved capacity and passenger comfort.
Other Russian cities, including Novosibirsk and Vladivostok, will also benefit from direct connections to Nha Trang, further facilitating easy access to Vietnam. These routes are expected to attract substantial numbers of tourists, capitalizing on the increasing demand for international travel from Russian markets.
The Economic Impact of Charter Flights and Increased Connectivity
The role of charter flights in boosting Vietnam’s tourism cannot be overstated. Russian travel agencies, recognizing the growing demand, have partnered with airlines to offer direct and affordable flights. Charter flights have become a key tool for reaching destinations like Vietnam, with 58.9% of Russian tourists arriving via transit routes and 41.1% flying directly from Russia to Vietnam.
The appeal of charter services lies in their ability to offer budget-friendly travel to distant destinations, making long-haul travel more accessible for Russian families and individuals. These flights, paired with affordable accommodation and tour packages, provide an all-in-one solution for travelers seeking both adventure and relaxation.
Furthermore, affordable transit flights through China have also helped improve Russia-Vietnam travel flow, creating opportunities for travelers to enjoy a seamless connection with minimal stopover time, further increasing Vietnam’s appeal.
Statistics and Impressive Growth in 2025
Vietnam’s tourism industry has seen substantial growth in Russian arrivals in 2025. As of the first six months of the year, 259,849 Russian tourists visited Vietnam, surpassing the 232,300 arrivals for the entire 2024 year. By the end of July, this number climbed to 315,138, marking a 256% increase over the same period last year. Such growth figures place Vietnam among the top international destinations for Russian tourists, alongside countries like Thailand and Egypt.
This growth is reflective of the overall uptick in Russian outbound travel, as more Russians seek destinations with cultural richness, affordability, and adventurous experiences—attributes that Vietnam offers in abundance.
Vietnam’s Rising Position Among Global Travel Markets
As Vietnam continues to make inroads into Russian tourism, it is also rising in the global travel market. The country is now firmly placed in the top 10 sources of international visitors for Vietnamese tourism, with Russia’s growing tourism market contributing significantly to this ranking. Vietnam’s ability to compete with well-established favorites such as Turkey, Egypt, and Thailand shows the increasing recognition of Vietnam as a vibrant tourist hub.
Increased tourism infrastructure, combined with enhanced connectivity, has helped elevate Vietnam’s position on the global stage. As demand from Russian tourists continues to grow, more long-haul flight options and innovative travel programs are expected to follow, creating an even more dynamic travel offering.
The Long-Term Outlook for Vietnam’s Tourism Growth
Looking forward, Vietnam’s tourism industry is set to continue on a growth trajectory. With Russian tourists accounting for a larger share of inbound visitors, the focus will likely remain on expanding flight routes, improving airport facilities, and developing new tourist offerings to cater to diverse traveler interests. These measures are expected to lead to even higher visitor numbers in the coming years.
Moreover, Vietnam’s ability to adapt to the changing travel preferences of Russian tourists—especially in terms of flight accessibility and pricing flexibility—will keep it competitive in the global tourism market.
Key Factors Behind Vietnam’s Success with Russian Tourists
Several key factors have contributed to Vietnam’s success as a preferred travel destination for Russian tourists:
Enhanced Connectivity: Direct flights and charter programs have reduced travel times and costs, making Vietnam an attractive option for Russian tourists.Affordability: The combination of low-cost flights and budget-friendly accommodation options has made Vietnam a sought-after destination for travelers looking for both adventure and value for money.Cultural Appeal: Vietnam’s rich cultural history, scenic landscapes, and vibrant cities appeal to Russian tourists seeking both relaxation and exploration.Tourism Infrastructure: Vietnam’s investment in tourist-friendly infrastructure has made it easier for travelers to explore, whether they are in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or the islands of Phu Quoc.
In 2025, Vietnam stepped into the highest ranks of Russian travel hotspots, joining Türkiye and the UAE. This surge is thanks to new direct flights, a wave of charter programs, and travel deals that make the trip easy and affordable.
Vietnam’s rise is not just a blip; it marks the nation’s wider shift in global tourism. More Russian tourists, combined with better flight links and streamlined entry, show that Vietnam is ready to be a permanent player in Russian travel plans.
Blending rich culture, stunning landscapes, and wallet-friendly prices, Vietnam is well-poised to compete on the world tourism stage. The country keeps innovating to meet the needs of visitors, ensuring it stays on the radar for years to come.
