Russians choose Vietnam as Asia’s top New Year destination
VOV.VN - Russian tourists’ demand for New Year 2026 holidays in Asia has surged by more than 70% compared to the same period last year, with Thailand, Vietnam, and China being the top three tour destinations.
According to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), Asian destinations account for around 50–60% of all overseas tour sales for the 2026 New Year season.
Major Russian travel companies such as Anex, ITM Group, and Coral Travel, reported that for many years, Thailand has dominated this market, representing up to 81% of Asian New Year tour sales among Russian travelers last year.
However, Thailand’s leading position is beginning to weaken. Its market share for New Year 2026 has fallen to around 60–70%. In contrast, Vietnam’s popularity has risen sharply. The share of Russian tourists choosing Vietnam has jumped to 22%, up from just 6% a year earlier.
This surge is attributed to expanded charter flight programmes from multiple Russian cities, helping Vietnam achieve a much higher growth rate in Russian arrivals than Thailand.
Phu Quoc and Nha Trang are the top destinations in Vietnam for Russian tourists during the 2026 New Year holiday. Coral Travel, one of the Russia’s leading travel companies, reported that 86% of charter flights from Moscow to Nha Trang during the holiday period have already been sold.
Meanwhile, Anex and ITM Group revealed that more Russians are now choosing Vietnam than Thailand for New Year 2026.
China ranks third among Asian destinations for Russian tourists, supported by its visa-free entry policy, extensive flight connections, and diverse travel services. Data from travel website Sletat.ru shows that China makes up about 9% of New Year 2026 tour sales.
Other Asian destinations, including India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan, are also gaining momentum. Pegas Touristik reports that India holds a 15% market share, placing it third in New Year 2026 sales for the company. For clients of PAC GROUP and Space Travel, Indonesia has emerged as the most sought-after destination.
Phu Quoc welcomes 220 Russian tourists as direct air route resumes
VOV.VN - Phu Quoc island in southern Kien Giang province welcomed the first direct flight from Russia on October 19, marking the resumption of air service between Vladivostok and the island after a long suspension.
