Vietnam expects historic high in Russian tourist numbers

Vietnam is expected to welcome a record number of Russian tourists in 2026, with visitor arrivals projected to exceed one million for the first time, the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) announced.

Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of ATOR, said the anticipated figure would be around 50% higher than the pre-pandemic level recorded in 2019, reflecting changing travel patterns and expanded air connectivity between the two countries.

Speaking to Russian media, Lomidze noted that Vietnam had already received 742,700 Russian visitors in the first six months of 2026, surpassing the total of 646,500 recorded during the whole of 2019.

"In 2019, Vietnam welcomed 646,500 Russian citizens, while in January–June 2026 the figure already reached 742,700. In 2019, competition among destinations was much stronger, and tourists had a far wider choice—including mass-market beach destinations in Europe, Caribbean islands, and, of course, other beach resorts in Southeast Asia. At that time, tour operators actively sold Vietnam mainly during the winter season, organizing charter flights to Phu Quoc. The country was not yet a major summer destination with extensive charter programs. Today, the choice of holiday destinations has objectively narrowed. For the first time, large-scale summer charter programs covering a wide geographic area have been launched to Da Nang and Nha Trang."

Lomidze also attributed the surge in demand to the growing popularity of connecting flights, particularly via China, which she said has made travel to Vietnam more affordable for Russian tourists.

"In 2019, only 7% of Russian visitors arrived in Vietnam on connecting flights, whereas in the first quarter of 2026 that figure had risen to 33%. Routes via visa-free China allow travelers to reduce airfare costs. The expanded availability of connecting flights has therefore become an additional and entirely new source of tourist traffic to Vietnam. Taken together, these factors allow us to say that Vietnam will confidently surpass the one-million mark in Russian tourist arrivals by the end of 2026. And if nothing unexpected happens, it will set a historic record for Russian tourism to the country," the expert concluded.

By Vafa Guliyeva