HÀ NỘI — The Russian National Tourist Office, Visit Russia Asia, has introduced new travel destinations in different regions of the Russian Federation to Vietnamese tourist agents during a workshop recently.  

The new destinations include the Republic of Tatarstan with the UNESCO World Heritage city of Kazan; the Republic of Karelia – which is known as "the country of lakes”; the world’s biggest Arctic city Murmansk; and Russia’s only subtropical resort city Sochi in Krasnodar Krai on the northeast coast of the Black Sea.

According to director of Visit Russia Asia – Hanoi Office, Tạ Bích Hà, most Vietnamese tourists are familiar with Moscow and St Petersburg, as these two famous cities are in the tour programmes of every tourist agency. In addition, most tours to Russia have only been held in summer.

“With its unbounded area, Russia has a diversity of geography, ecology, ethnic groups and culture. Therefore, the country has a great tourism potential, which can offer tourists unforgettable and memorable experiences,” she said.

By visiting those places during winter, tourists can enjoy several fun winter activities such as snowmobile riding, Husky dog or reindeer sled riding.

“Witnessing the Northern Lights and staying in traditional tents of the Arctic people are other memorable moments for tourists,” she added.

Alongside the new destinations for tourists in the winter, Visit Russia has also introduced 12-day cruise tours on the 5-star ship Ms Rossia by Volga Cruise.

Speaking at the event, deputy head of the Việt Nam Administration of Tourism Hà Văn Siêu said that the workshop would create opportunities for tourist agencies of the two countries to take travellers between them.

“While the number of Russian tourists to Việt Nam increased 26 per cent in the first nine months of this year, the number of Vietnamese to Russia is about 100,000. I do hope the workshop will help boost the tourism between the two countries,” he said. — VNS