Why Russian visitors have become one of Vietnam's top three tourism markets

Russian tourists have surged into Vietnam's travel market, with more than 1 million arrivals recorded in the first eight months of 2026. That is nearly 166% higher than the same period last year, lifting Russia from seventh place in 2025 to third among Vietnam's 10 largest source markets.

China and South Korea remain the leading markets. Together, they supplied 6.3 million visitors during the period, or 40% of all international arrivals. But the Russian increase stands out for its three-digit growth, according to Vietnam's national tourism authority.

The authority said several factors combined to drive the rise. Vietnam has gained a reputation as a safe, friendly and attractive destination in Asia, while charter flights from major Russian cities have resumed and increased in frequency. Those flights take travelers directly to Vietnam's coastal areas, including Nha Trang, Mui Ne and Phu Quoc. The destinations offer warm weather throughout the year, varied cuisine and modern resort facilities.

International arrivals also continued to grow during Vietnam's usual summer low season. The country received nearly 2 million visitors in August, up 19.7% from July and 18.4% from August 2025. Across the first eight months, arrivals reached nearly 16 million, or almost 64% of the country's 2026 target.

Air travel accounted for 83% of international arrivals, supporting visitors from distant markets. Land arrivals from neighboring countries also increased. Asian travelers still made up the largest share, but European arrivals grew 53.4%, while visitors from the Americas reached about 887,000, up 20.7%. Arrivals from Oceania rose 23.3%. Tourism officials expect the sector to reach its target of 25 million international visitors this year.