Khanh Hoa welcomes Russian tourists with ‘vaccine passports'
The south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on December 26 welcomed the first group of Russian tourists back since March 2020 due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19.
First Russian tourists with 'vaccine passport' visit Khanh Hoa (Photo: VNA)
Khanh Hoa (VNA) - The south central coastal province of Khanh Hoa on December 26 welcomed the first group of Russian tourists back since March 2020 due to the adverse impacts of COVID-19.
A ceremony was held in the province to welcome 325 tourists, comprising 226 Russians holding 'vaccine passports'.
Natalia Rukavichkina said this is the sixth time that she has travelled to Vietnam and looks forward to new experiences during her stay in Khanh Hoa.
Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Le Thanh said the welcome of Russian tourists holding 'vaccine passports' for the first time after two years serves as a driving force for the province’s tourism sector, helping affirm Khanh Hoa and Nha Trang beach city in particular as a safe, quality and attractive destination.
Another group of more than 200 Russian holidaymakers is set to arrive in Khanh Hoa later this month in a similar method, she added.
After more than one-month implementation of the pilot programme to receive ‘vaccine passport’ holders in the first phase, Khanh Hoa welcomed nearly 3,000 tourists from the Republic of Korea, Japan and Malaysia.
Khanh Hoa tourism has been hard hit by the COVID-19 pandemic for the second consecutive year. In 2021, the province served about 643,000 visitors, including nearly 23,000 foreigners, posting a year-on-year plunge of 48.55 percent and 94.81 percent.
It earned 2.43 trillion VND (106.35 million USD) from tourism in the year./.
The Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) has officially launched a campaign called "Live fully in Vietnam" to welcome international tourists back to five destinations in the country.
The central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, home to famous beach towns Nha Trang and Cam Ranh, on November 25 welcomed the first international tourists with vaccine passports after a long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dai Lanh lighthouse, Xuan Dai bay and Diep Son island in Khanh Hoa and Phu Yen provinces emerge majestically under the lens of Vietnamese travel blogger Ngo Tran Hai Anh. Most of the photos were taken by a drone to get wide-angle shots from a bird-eye view.
The central coastal province of Khanh Hoa expects to welcome some 9,350 international tourists on board 48 flights from now until the end of 2021, according to director of the provincial Department of Tourism Nguyen Thi Le Thanh.
All the 240 households in Thieng Lieng hamlet once knew only salt production and aquaculture, but now welcoming tourists has become a source of their joy and income.
The first and only direct service connecting the two countries at the moment is set to operate three times per week using the modern wide-body Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
Mu Cang Chai is home to nearly 83,000 hectares of forest, including almost 60,000 hectares of unspoiled natural woodland. Recognising this potential, local authorities have embraced a holistic strategy that protects biodiversity while promoting tourism.
Phu Quoc ranks among the top 10 leading tourist islands in Asia. As the largest island in Vietnam, it boasts stunning natural beauty, with expansive coral reefs resting beneath the sea and a number of beautiful, poetic beaches such as Sao, Truong, and Khem, known for their fine white sand and crystal-clear waters.
Vietnam's national flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and Vietjet are among the exhibitors, promoting key destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, and Phu Quoc, as well as distinctive tourism products.
Alexander Musikhin, Vice President of ATOR and CEO of the Intourist travel agency, highlighted Vietnam as a top destination offering a unique blend of beach holidays and cultural excursions.
According to Seoul’s Tourism Industry Department, approximately 20,000 Vietnamese visitors travel to the city each year for medical treatment. Vietnam consistently ranks among the top 10 countries with the highest number of medical tourists to Seoul.
An analysis of accommodation search data based on check-in dates for June and July revealed that Nha Trang surpassed all other destinations in popularity among Korean users.
The programme is organised by the Khanh Hoa provincial Youth Union and the “Khanh Hoa people speak English” Project, and aims to promote the culture, history, cuisine and other tourism products of Nha Trang – Khanh Hoa to international visitors.
VNAT Director General Nguyen Trung Khanh called visa a golden ticket to pulling in crowds, but he is clear that it needs coordinated efforts across multiple sectors to keep the momentum going in this fast-moving global travel scene.
As a tourism hub, Hanoi is now actively developing strategies to attract Muslim travellers. In recent years, the city has seen a notable uptick in visitors from countries with large Muslim populations.
When tourists witness firsthand the passion and care of farmers, they’re willing to pay higher prices because they see the genuine worth behind every product.
During the first five months, China continued to be Vietnam's largest source market of tourists, followed by the RoK, China’s Taiwan, the US, and Japan.
After more than three months of operation, the popularity of the free tours in Bac Ninh province shows no signs of cooling down. Many tourists return every week in hopes of experiencing all the tours and visiting every destination.
Typical products of Phu Tho are being showcased at the Lao Cai International Travel Mart 2025, held in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai from June 5-8.
Featuring 130 stalls and delegations from 120 travel agencies representing more than ten countries and territories, the event is expected to provide a platform for establishing partnerships and attracting more visitors to Lao Cai in the future.
Kicking off the festival on the evening of June 7 will be the grand music concert titled “Nha Trang Say Hi”, featuring popular artists from the trending show “Anh Trai Say Hi”. The event will be broadcast live nationwide and conclude with a fireworks display over Nha Trang Bay.
Data from Booking.com reveals that during the peak summer vacation in June and July, beach trips continue to be a top priority for Vietnamese travellers.
The northern midland province of Phu Tho has carried out all-round measures to improve tourism infrastructure, services, and offerings, elevating visitor experience and reinforcing the province’s unique cultural identity.
First Russian tourists with 'vaccine passport' visit Khanh Hoa (Photo: VNA) 
