On April 13, 2026, charter flight VJ55 arrived at Da Nang International Airport from Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan, carrying 370 passengers, including 250 travel industry professionals. With Da Nang targeting 19 million visitors in 2026, about 10% more than the previous year, the city is restarting direct flights from Russia and the CIS in earnest.
Details of the resumed routes—the Astana flight goes to six a week from June
Two routes were resumed this time. The Astana (Kazakhstan)–Da Nang flight started operating at three a week in April and May and expands to six a week from June on. The Vladivostok (Russia)–Da Nang flight starts at two a month and increases to three a month from May. The first Vladivostok flight on April 16 carried about 220 people.
Both operate on a charter basis, a system that can flexibly adjust the schedule according to demand. Going forward, route expansion to Uzbekistan, Belarus, and further to Russia's Khabarovsk, Novokuznetsk, and Barnaul is also planned.
Background—over 100,000 in Q1 alone, the CIS market a new pillar of Da Nang tourism
Da Nang City's international arrivals in the first quarter of 2026 were 2.3 million. Of these, visitors from the Russia and CIS region topped 100,000, accounting for about 4.35% of the total.As Vietnam's overall Q1 foreign tourists reached a record high of 6.76 million,Da Nang shows its own growth by capturing the CIS market.
Behind this figure is a structural change in travel demand from Russia to Vietnam. As travel toward Europe faces constraints, central Vietnam, with its visa exemption and warm climate, is taking hold as a substitute resort destination.
250 CIS travel companies inspect Da Nang—the substance of the fam trip
Over the six days of April 13 to 18, a fam trip was carried out in which representatives of over 250 travel companies from the CIS region visited Da Nang. On the 17th and 18th, networking events were also held, with direct business talks conducted with Da Nang City's tourism facilities, hotels, and restaurants.
A fam trip on this scale shows that Da Nang City positions the CIS market not as a mere "trial" but as a strategic source of visitors.It's also linked with Da Nang's 2026 beach tourism season, which opened on April 25,and events such as water sports and an international pizza festival were also introduced to the CIS travel companies.
Operation data table—the outlook for April to October 2026
| Line | Operation frequency (April–May) | Operation frequency (from June) | Operation method | Travel time (guide) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Astana–Da Nang | 3 flights a week, | Six a week | Charter | About 7 hours |
| Vladivostok–Da Nang | Two a month | Three a month | Charter | About 5 hours |
| Planned: Khabarovsk–Da Nang | Undecided | Undecided | Charter | About 5.5 hours |
| Planned: Uzbekistan–Da Nang | Undecided | Undecided | Charter | About 6 hours |
Over roughly six months from April to October, the CIS routes alone are expected to carry around 570 flights and an estimated 120,000 passengers.
Local reaction: voices from Da Nang's tourism industry
Da Nang's tourism industry has welcomed the move with high hopes.
A representative of a resort hotel in Da Nang says, "Russian and CIS travelers tend to stay longer than European visitors, often preferring 7 to 14 days on the beach in a single trip. That directly boosts our occupancy rates." A local tour guide points out, "Securing Russian-speaking staff is an urgent task. The demand is clearly there, but the language barrier affects service quality." An analyst in Vietnam's aviation sector adds, "The charter model is highly adaptable to fluctuations in demand. Whether these become scheduled routes will depend on this year's results."
Impact on Japanese travelers: congestion and prices for Da Nang
The resumption of CIS routes brings several effects for Japanese travelers as well.
First, as Da Nang's hotel occupancy rises, accommodation rates during the June–September peak season may climb. Mid- to high-end hotels along My Khe Beach in particular are likely to fill up with bookings from CIS group travelers. On the flip side, the growth of restaurants and shops catering to CIS visitors makes the city more international, expanding the range of dining and shopping options.
The pilot that began in Ho Chi Minh City on April 15,the digital arrival card (pre-arrival declaration), has also been running at Da Nang Airport since June 15 (notice from the Consulate-General of Japan in Da Nang dated June 17; added September 15, 2026). Guidance differs on whether it is mandatory, but registration is free and opens three days before the scheduled date of entry.
Ripple effects on aviation: Vietnamese carriers race to expand international routes
The resumption of Da Nang's CIS routes is part of a broader trend of international route expansion across Vietnam's aviation industry.Vietnam Airlines is significantly expanding its European and Asian routes in the summer 2026 schedule,rolling out 12 European routes including a new Hanoi–Amsterdam service.VietJet launched two new routes in April, Ho Chi Minh City–Nagoya and Ho Chi Minh City–Fukuoka,expanding its Japan routes alone to 138 flights per week.
Total passenger numbers in Vietnam's aviation market reached 24.1 million in Q1 2026 (up 16% year on year), driven by international routes at 13.9 million (up 19%). The growth of CIS routes is one piece of this international expansion.
Practical information for traveling to Da Nang
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Airport | Da Nang International Airport (DAD) |
| Access from Japan | Direct flights available from Narita and Kansai (about 5.5 hours) |
| Best season | March–August (dry season) |
| Entry procedures | Japanese nationals need no visa for stays of up to 45 days (conditions include a passport valid for at least six months on entry). The digital arrival card (pre-arrival declaration) has also been in pilot operation at Da Nang Airport since June 15, 2026. |
| Currency | Vietnamese dong (VND) / 10,000 VND ≒ about 60 yen |
| Main beaches | My Khe Beach, Non Nuoc Beach |
| Getting around the city | Grab (ride-hailing app) is convenient. The airport to the city center takes about 15 minutes and costs around 150 yen. |
| Major events in 2026 | Beach season opening (from April 25), International Pizza Festival, open-water swimming competition |
Summary: the CIS routes taking root will redraw Da Nang's tourism map
Da Nang's 2026 target of about 19 million visitors is roughly 10% above the previous year. One key to hitting it is keeping the newly resumed Russia and CIS routes running steadily: more than 100,000 arrivals from the CIS in the first quarter alone, a familiarisation trip involving 250 companies, and an expansion to six flights a week from June. Alongside its established Korean, Chinese and Japanese markets, Da Nang is turning the CIS into a new pillar of its business as a Southeast Asian beach resort.
For Japanese travelers, bearing in mind Da Nang's rising accommodation demand and prices, it is wise to book early for trips between June and September. At the same time, it can be seen as a chance to enjoy a new, more multicultural side of Da Nang.
