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| Russian tourists make a comeback in Khanh Hoa post-pandemic. (Photo: tuoitre.vn) |
Hanoi – Charter flights, reconnecting 11 Russian cities to the south-central province of Khanh Hoa’s Nha Trang city, will recommence on March 16 after a prolonged three-year hiatus. This marks a significant turning point for Vietnam’s tourism industry, which has been eagerly awaiting the return of international travelers.
The cities included in this initiative are Moscow, Barnaul, Tomsk, Ekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Novokuznetsk, Khabarovsk, Novosibirsk, Blagoveshchensk, Vladivostok, and Irkutsk, as shared by Nguyen Duc Tan, General Director of Anex Vietnam Trading & Tourism Co., Ltd.
Anex Vietnam has joined forces with Azur Air to operate these routes, deploying modern Boeing aircraft models such as the 757, 766, and 777. The flight capacity varies, accommodating between 238 and 531 passengers depending on the specific plane.
The frequency of flights is poised for a substantial increase in the upcoming months. Starting with 12 flights in March, the number is projected to soar to 50-55 monthly flights from April through June. From July onward, the target is to reach 90-100 flights per month, catering to the growing demand.
The inaugural flight, symbolizing a new beginning, will take off from Irkutsk and arrive at Cam Ranh International Airport on March 17, carrying 238 tourists eager to explore Vietnam again. This event signifies the official re-entry of the Russian tourism market into the country.
Russian visitors will be accommodated in three- to five-star hotels for durations of five days or longer, contributing significantly to the local economy.
According to Tan, this strategic move is intended to restore and boost international tourism, with a particular focus on Russian travelers who were once a cornerstone of the tourism industry in Khanh Hoa province.
In addition to Nha Trang, charter flights to Phu Quoc will also be introduced, providing Russian tourists with diverse and captivating options during their stay in Vietnam.
Khanh Hoa welcomed over 105,000 Russian tourists last year, accounting for nearly 23% of pre-pandemic levels in 2019. The province is ambitiously targeting 11.8 million tourist arrivals this year, including 5.2 million foreigners, and aims to generate 60 trillion VND (2.35 billion USD) in tourism revenue.
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