Nha Trang, a coastal city in Khánh Hoà Province, has long been a favourite destination for Russian tourists. — VNA/VNS Photo

MOSCOW — The south central province of Khánh Hoà is able to meet all the needs of Russian tourists, Chairman of the Khánh Hoà Tourism Association Hoàng Văn Vinh said at a tourism promotion conference held in Moscow on March 11.

The event brought together 130 delegates representing businesses from both Russia and the Vietnamese locality.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Đặng Minh Khôi emphasised that after 75 years since the two countries set up bilateral relations, tourism has become a vital bridge connecting the people of Việt Nam and Russia. This sector remains a key focus in high-level exchanges between the two nations.

Nha Trang, a coastal city in Khánh Hoà Province, has long been a favourite destination for Russian tourists, accounting for up to 50 per cent of Russian visitors to Việt Nam. With its pristine beaches, crystal-clear water, and rich cuisine, Nha Trang is often dubbed as Việt Nam's "beach capital."

However, the past three years of the pandemic, coupled with global uncertainties, have led to a significant drop in the number of Russian tourist arrivals. Now, with tourism recovery underway and direct flights resumed, the non-smoke industry, particularly in Nha Trang, plays a crucial role in attracting back its traditional Russian visitors.

Khôi highlighted the strong support from both governments in fostering tourism cooperation. Recently, Việt Namextended its visa exemption policy for Russian tourists, while Russian language and culture remain widely recognised in Việt Nam’s hospitality sector. Vietnamese people continue to hold warm sentiments toward Russian visitors, he added.

Meanwhile, Russia has introduced e-visa for Vietnamese nationals, further facilitating travel between the two countries. These favourable policies are expected to drive Russian tourist arrivals to Việt Nam to 400,000–500,000 annually.

The ambassador also announced that Vietnam Airlines is close to fully restoring its direct flights to Moscow - the news that was warmly welcomed by conference attendees.

During the event, participants got an overview of Nha Trang–Khánh Hoà tourism and were particularly impressed by a special showcase from Vinpearl, one of Việt Nam's leading tourism brands.

Speaking with the Vietnam News Agency's correspondents in Moscow, Anara Uralova, General Director of One Click Travel, noted that in recent years, the Russian tourism industry has experienced an "Asian boom," with an increasing number of travelers choosing destinations across Asia. Within this trend, Việt Nam has steadily gained popularity.

Currently, Việt Nam accounts for 35 per cent of One Click Travel’s total revenue, with significant potential for further growth. To capitalise on this momentum, the company plans to strengthen partnerships with Vietnamese businesses, initially focusing on organising press tours and influencer trips to promote Việt Nam more effectively among Russian travellers.

Chairman of the Khánh Hoà Tourism Association Hoàng Văn Vinh stated that local tourism industry is committed to restoring Russian tourist numbers to pre-COVID-19 levels, adding that the event aimed to create a platform for businesses from both countries to collaborate, develop joint strategies, and maximise mutual benefits.

He also emphasised the effectiveness of Việt Nam's 45-day visa exemption for Russian tourists, which is expected to play a key role in attracting more visitors from Russia. — VNA/VNS