Vietnam Emerges as Russia's Surprise Holiday Favorite

Russian travelers seeking winter sun over the New Year period showed a clear preference for the warm coasts of Southeast Asia and the Middle East. While Turkey and Cuba maintained steady popularity, industry data reveals Vietnam as the breakout star, experiencing the fastest growth among all destinations.

Tour operator Anex attributed the surge to expanded charter flight programs from multiple Russian cities. The top five destinations for the holidays were Thailand, Egypt, the UAE, Sri Lanka, and Vietnam. Most tourists departed shortly after New Year's Day, opting for getaways averaging 8 to 11 days.

Other major agencies confirmed the trend. Spectrum reported Egypt, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and the UAE as its leaders, with week-long trips being the most common purchase. The travel platform Sletat.ru noted a 36% year-on-year increase in demand for tours starting between December 31 and January 10. Vietnam's share of sales on the platform jumped dramatically from 1.8% to 9.3%, propelling it from ninth place into the top five.

Further evidence came from Fun&Sun, where Vietnam ranked as the company's fourth-most popular destination in January, capturing 11% of total sales. The average booking cost for a Vietnam trip settled at approximately 325,000 rubles for a couple on an 11-day stay.