Numbers that make you want to pack your bags
From January to June 2026, Vietnam welcomed 742,679 Russian tourists – 2.8 times more than in the same period last year. This surge pushed Russia to third place among tourist-generating countries, behind only China (2.69 million) and South Korea (2.16 million). At the same time, we surpassed Taiwan, the US, India, and Japan, and among Europeans, our closest pursuer – the UK with 220,000 – trails us by more than three times.
According to the ATOR Analytical Service, in July 2026 Vietnam's share in package tour sales reached 7.8% (4.6% a year ago) – the best growth among all Asian destinations. For comparison: Thailand – 4.7%, China – 4.3%. Interest in the destination is sustainable: the share of search queries rose from 3.9% to 6.8% year-over-year.
According to tour operator forecasts, the momentum will continue in the second half of the year. If the current pace doesn't slow, Vietnam could receive about 1.5 million Russians by year-end – a result that seemed fantastic just a couple of years ago.
What does this mean for you? The market is reshaping: more flights, wider choice of hotels and tours. But competition for the best spots is growing too – seize the moment before prices take off.
Where everyone's going – top resorts of 2026
Vietnam is a country of contrasts: from bustling megacities to deserted beaches. We've selected five of the most popular destinations currently on Russian tourists' radar.
| Quick resort selector for Vietnam | |||||
| Resort | Beach 🏝 | Diving & snorkeling 🚗 | Sights 📷 | Kitesurfing 🏊 | City 🏙 |
| Phu Quoc Island | |||||
| Nha Trang | |||||
| Phan Thiet and Mui Ne | |||||
| Da Nang | |||||
| Hoi An | |||||
Phu Quoc Island
Vietnam's largest island, often compared to Phuket, but currently quieter and wilder. Stunning white-sand beaches with a gentle slope into the water – ideal for families with children. The water is clear and transparent, with excellent conditions for diving and snorkeling. From the airport to the main hotels – 15–20 minutes by taxi (about 200,000–250,000 dong). For Russians – a special bonus: visa-free entry for up to 15 days. Perfect for a quiet family vacation or romantic getaway.
Nha Trang
A resort city with developed infrastructure offering everything: from nightclubs to spas. The beach is long and sandy, but in the central part there are occasional waves, so for small children it's better to choose hotels at the southern end of the bay. Cam Ranh airport is 30 km from the city – a taxi will cost 300,000–400,000 dong. A huge selection of hotels, restaurants, and tours. Suitable for those who like to combine beach relaxation with an active urban lifestyle.
Phan Thiet and Mui Ne
A resort area near the city of Phan Thiet. Very popular among Russians – menus are even in Russian here. A wide sandy beach, many hotels on the first line. The entrance to the water is gentle, but from November to March strong winds blow – this is a mecca for windsurfing and kitesurfing. The nearest airport is 200 km away (Nha Trang or Ho Chi Minh City), so people usually get there by bus or transfer. Calm, not too noisy, ideal for families.
Da Nang
A large city with modern hotels and excellent beaches – yellow-white sand, gentle slope, but waves are possible from September to December. Da Nang airport is right in the city – taxi to hotels is 5–10 minutes (about 50,000–100,000 dong). Nearby – the Marble Mountains (20 minutes by bike), the ancient city of Hoi An (45 minutes), and the Hai Van Pass. A convenient transport hub: direct flights from Moscow. Suitable for those who want to combine beach relaxation with sightseeing.
Hoi An
An old UNESCO-listed museum city. Incredible atmosphere with lanterns and colorful streets. Beaches are 4 km from the center (An Bang, Cua Dai) – sandy, clean, uncrowded, with a gentle slope. From Da Nang airport to Hoi An – 40 minutes by taxi (about 400,000 dong). Great food and plenty of photo opportunities. A must for culture lovers and romantics.
For a more detailed resort selection and comparison of all parameters, we've prepared a complete guide to Vietnam's beach resorts, where all the pros and cons of each place are described, including less popular destinations.
When to fly: seasons by month
Vietnam's climate varies greatly by region. In the south (Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Vung Tau) – tropical monsoon; in the north (Hanoi, Halong) – subtropical. In the central part (Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An) – transitional.
Below is a table where green means ideal conditions (sunny, warm sea), olive – acceptable (possible brief showers), red – not recommended (high risk of rain and typhoons).
| Resort/month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phu Quoc Island | ||||||||||||
| Nha Trang | ||||||||||||
| Phan Thiet and Mui Ne | ||||||||||||
| Da Nang | ||||||||||||
| Hoi An |
Color key:
- 🍀 green – ideal (sunny, warm sea)
- 🞬 olive – acceptable (possible brief showers)
- 🔴 red – not recommended (high risk of rain/typhoons).
Important: Water temperature stays at +25…+29 °C year-round, but humidity during the rainy season can reach 85–90%, making the heat harder to bear. In the dry season, humidity drops to 70–75%.
If you're planning a trip during the good season, aim for these months:
- South (Phu Quoc, Mui Ne, Vung Tau): November – April.
- Center (Nha Trang, Da Nang, Hoi An): January – August (rains start in September – November).
- North (Hanoi, Halong): October – December, as well as March – April (summer is hot and humid, winter is cool).
What you need to know before your trip: visas, flights, budget
Visa and visa-free entry
Russian citizens can stay in Vietnam without a visa for up to 45 days. This rule is valid at least until March 2028. Entry rules are very simple:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months at the time of entry;
- Return ticket or ticket to a third country (rarely checked, but better to have);
- Not on any banned lists.
Upon arrival, you go through passport control, present your passport, and get a 45-day stamp. No forms to fill out.
For those planning to stay longer or enter multiple times, there's an electronic visa (E-Visa) for 90 days. It's processed on the evisa.gov.vn website. Cost:
- Single-entry – $25;
- Multiple-entry – $50.
However, note: since April 15, 2026, an electronic arrival form has been introduced (filled out for free on the immigration website), but it's not mandatory yet. We recommend filling it out 72 hours before departure to avoid queues.
For more details on all the visa nuances, read our full article on visas for Vietnam.
Flights from Russia: direct and with layovers
The number of direct flights to Vietnam has grown significantly. Currently, the following options are available:
Direct flights (regular and charter)
- Aeroflot – year-round flights from Moscow (Sheremetyevo) to Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi (travel time ~9–9.5 hours), and during the tourist season – daily flights to Nha Trang (Cam Ranh). Also flies from Novosibirsk and Yekaterinburg. Prices – from 60,000 rubles round-trip during sales, in high season up to 100,000–120,000.
- Vietnamese low-cost carrier VietJet – operates flights from Moscow to Da Nang, as well as from several regions: Barnaul, Novokuznetsk, Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Blagoveshchensk, Krasnoyarsk, Novosibirsk, Kazan. Travel time – 9–10 hours. Prices on the open market are high (from 70,000 USD), as the carrier focuses on seat blocks for tour operators. Note: baggage is often not included in the fare.
- IrAero – direct flights from Irkutsk to Hanoi on Sukhoi Superjet 100 (time ~6 hours).
- Ikar / Nordwind – charter programs to Nha Trang and Phu Quoc from Moscow and regions (Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk, Krasnoyarsk, etc.).
- Red Wings – flights to Nha Trang from Moscow, Yekaterinburg, and other cities.
- Azur Air – charters to Nha Trang and Phu Quoc.
The cheapest option – with a layover in China
Chinese airlines (China Eastern, China Southern, Sichuan Airlines) offer tickets with one or two layovers in China from 40,000 rubles round-trip with baggage from Moscow (on certain dates). Total travel time including layover – from 12 to 16 hours. For comparison: a direct flight costs at least 60,000 rubles, and on specific dates may be twice as much.
What's convenient: Russians don't need a visa for transit through China (30-day visa-free regime). For layovers under 24 hours, baggage is usually checked through to the final destination, but check the airline's rules.
Read the ticket purchase conditions carefully – low-cost carriers often charge baggage separately. For convenient flight search, use aggregators like Yandex.Travel or Trip.com.
How much money to bring: daily budget
Vietnam is one of the most affordable countries in Asia. Expenses depend heavily on your travel style. We'll give two options: for package tourists and for independent travelers.
For package tourists
Your tour already includes flights, accommodation, and often breakfasts. You're left with pocket money for food, tours, souvenirs, and transport.
| Expense item | Budget | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|
| Lunch and dinner (cafes/restaurants) | 200,000 – 300,000 | 400,000 – 600,000 |
| Drinks (water, juices, coconuts, beer) | 50,000 – 100,000 | 100,000 – 200,000 |
| Local transport (taxi/bike rental) | 50,000 – 100,000 | 120,000 – 200,000 |
| Additional tours and entry tickets | 100,000 – 200,000 | 300,000 – 500,000 |
| Souvenirs, small purchases | 50,000 – 100,000 | 150,000 – 300,000 |
| TOTAL per day | 450,000 – 800,000 dong (17.14 – 30.47 USD) |
1,070,000 – 1,800,000 dong (40.75 – 68.56 USD) |
Examples of tours: boat trip to islands in Nha Trang – from 500,000 dong, excursion to Marble Mountains from Da Nang – about 300,000 dong.
For independent travelers
Everything depends on your choice of accommodation, food, and transport. Approximate prices:
- Accommodation: hostel – from 100,000 dong (3.81 USD), guesthouse for two – from 250,000 dong (9.52 USD), 3* hotel with breakfast – from 400,000 dong (15.23 USD) per night. Prices are higher on Phu Quoc and in Da Nang, lower in Mui Ne and Hoi An.
- Food: bowl of pho bo (noodle soup) on the street – from 40,000 dong (1.52 USD), lunch at a cafe – from 100,000 dong (3.81 USD), dinner with seafood – from 300,000 dong (11.43 USD).
- Transport: motorbike rental – from 120,000 dong/day (4.57 USD), taxi ride (Grab) around town – from 30,000 dong (1.14 USD), intercity bus – from 150,000 dong (5.71 USD).
- Entertainment: day excursion – from 500,000 dong (19.04 USD), massage – from 150,000 dong (5.71 USD).
Final daily budget for an independent traveler:
| Expense item | Budget | Standard | Comfortable |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | 150,000 – 250,000 | 400,000 – 600,000 | 800,000 – 1,500,000+ |
| Food | 200,000 – 300,000 | 400,000 – 600,000 | 700,000 – 1,000,000+ |
| Transport | 50,000 – 100,000 | 120,000 – 200,000 | 200,000 – 500,000 |
| Entertainment/shopping | 50,000 – 100,000 | 150,000 – 300,000 | 400,000 – 800,000+ |
| TOTAL per day | 450,000 – 750,000 dong (17.14 – 28.57 USD) |
1,070,000 – 1,700,000 dong (40.75 – 64.75 USD) |
2,100,000 – 3,800,000+ dong (79.98 – 145 USD) |
Tip: It's better to bring dollars or euros and exchange them on the spot – the rate is better. Bank cards are accepted in large supermarkets, but most life is cash-based. Download the Grab, XanhSM, Maxim apps – they'll save you on taxis and allow you to order food.
Where to buy tours and hotels
For searching and booking tours to Vietnam, use trusted services (beware of fake sites – only use the links below):
For independent hotel and flight bookings, we recommend:
- Trip.com – often the lowest prices and great support.
- Yandex.Travel
- Ostrovok.ru
Important about payment: Russian UnionPay cards (RSHB, ATB) work in many places, MIR cards are accepted extremely rarely. The main method is cash in dong, so plan your budget with a cushion.
If you want to dive deeper – explore all the nuances of resort selection, visa details, and detailed prices – check out our guides:
- Vietnam resorts: complete overview and comparison of all destinations
- Vietnamese cuisine for tourists: what to try and prices
- Staying connected in Vietnam: how to buy a SIM card, best plans, and eSim
- What to bring from Vietnam: best souvenirs, gifts, and practical purchases
- Safety in Vietnam: tips on how to avoid problems and what to do in emergencies