Moscow (VNA) – Russian experts have describedVietnam as the most vibrant destination in Southeast Asia for tourists from theEuropean country over the past two years.

The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) said Russiantourist arrivals in Vietnam increased by 4 percent in January – February.

It confirmed data from the Vietnam National Administrationof Tourism that Vietnam welcomed nearly 147,000 Russian visitors during theperiod, including 71,000 in February alone.

PR Director of ICS Travel Group Anna Filatovskaya saiddemand for Vietnam tours hiked by 15 – 20 percent year-on-year, especiallyduring March 8 holiday. Meanwhile, tour reservation for May also increasedsignificantly.

From July 2, the national flag carrier Vietnam Airlinesplans to switch its flights from Domodedovo airport to Sheremetyevo airport sothat Vietnam Airlines and Russia’s Aeroflot could launch codeshare flights toVietnamese and Russian destinations.

According to a representative from Russia’s Annex touragency, tourists on chartered flights bound for Vietnam tend to choosefive-star hotels and all-inclusive packages.

Nha Trang – Da Lat, Nha Trang – Phan Thiet and Phan Thiet –Phan Rang tours as well as those with lodging in Vinpearl hotel and resortchain are becoming increasingly popular.

Thanks to the availability of more direct chartered flightsto Vietnam during summer, tour prices tend down significantly compared to thoseto Thailand.-VNA