HÀ NỘI – More Russian tourists are heading to Việt Nam as it is a beautiful and safe destination, according to Sergey Korneev, vice director of the Russian Administration of Tourism (Rostourism).

Traditionally, Russian people often travel to Turkey and Egypt. But in recent times, they have changed the route to Asian countries because of the complicated political and social situation in the two countries.

“Việt Nam is attractive to Russians thanks to its beautiful landscape, charming beaches and the stable status in society and politics,” he said at the conference to promote tourism between Việt Nam and Russia.

The conference was held yesterday in the framework of Việt Nam International Travel Mart 2016 in which Russian delegates are honoured guests of the Việt Nam Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

Russia opened a tourist office in Hà Nội on Thursday as part of its plans to boost ties with Southeast Asia and South Korea.

The Hà Nội-based Visit Russia office is the eighth representative office of the country around the world, and its officials said their job is to introduce Asia’s tourism potential to Russians and vice versa.

“Opening tourist offices helps promote Russia as a travel destination in different countries. The Visit Russia Office will help present the country as an attractive destination, promote tourist products and shape a positive vision of Russia abroad.”

Korneev said the office’s establishment will open up opportunities to foster tourism between Russia and regional countries.

It will attract more Asian tourists to the East European nation and provide information for Russian people interested in visiting Việt Nam and other Southeast Asian destinations, he added.

“Opening the Southeast Asian office in Hà Nội proved our concern and interest in promoting tourism in Việt Nam,” he said.

Russia was among Việt Nam’s biggest tourist markets until last year when the rouble began to tumble.

Russian arrivals in 2015 were down 7 per cent from the previous year. The market has fully recovered thanks to a visa policy introduced last year that allows Russians to stay in Việt Nam for 15 days without a visa.

“Our country received 108,750 Russians in the first quarter, 13.5 per cent more than in the same period last year, making Russia the European country with the highest number of visitors to Việt Nam,” Nguyễn Quốc Hưng, vice director of the VNAT, said.

The VNAT and Rostourism yesterday signed a memorandum to co-operate on tourism promotion. Accordingly, Việt Nam will arrange tours to suit Russian visitors’ taste and demand and vice versa.

For example, a 15-day tour brings Russian tourists to the southern provinces of Bình Định and Phú Yên which own most the beautiful and pristine beaches in the country. Tourists also have two or three days in Hà Nội to enjoy the cultural heritage and art performances.

“Now Russian tourists, especially young people, don’t love beaches alone, they also want to go trekking and discover the local culture,” Vũ Thế Bình, deputy head of Việt Nam Tourism Association said.

“We have worked with Russian businesses and discussed the solution to promote tourism. In the future, we will suggest new tours to Việt Nam to the Russians.” – VNS