Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa Province), a resort in central Vietnam, faces an unexpected problem. Russian tourists are flooding in, up about 300% year on year, while the guides to show them aroundthere aren't enough Russian-speaking guidesto go around. At one major travel firm, only12 of 40internationally certified Russian-speaking guides are available. With 180,000 Russian and CIS visitors expected in summer, the reception capacity can't keep up.
A torrent of a 300% increase
In just the first two months of 2026, about 250,000 Russian tourists visited Vietnam, a rise of more than 300% year on year. Even over January to April, Russian visitors were up about 300% year on year, far outpacing other European markets. Nha Trang and Cam Ranh (including Phu Quoc flights) have been the largest recipients.
180,000 in summer, only 12 guides
旅行大手Anex Tourの計画では、2026夏のチャーター便でカインホアに約18.3万人（183,270人）のロシア・CIS客を送り込む見込みだ。プログラムは4月1日から10月31日まで、ロシア・CIS発の19都市から月平均222便を運航する規模だ。ところが、ある現地法人ではロシア語の国際ガイドは40名の渡航スタッフ中わずか12名。需要と供給の差が、そのまま現場の逼迫になっている。
| Item | Figure |
|---|---|
| Russian visitors in January-February | About 250,000 (up more than 300% year on year) |
| 夏のチャーター送客（カインホア向け） | 約18.3万人（183,270人） |
| Operations | 4/1〜10/31、19都市から月222便 |
| Stay | Average 6 to 9 nights, mostly 3- to 5-star |
Guests who stay long and spend well
Russian and CIS visitors stay a long time, averaging 6 to 9 nights, and tend to relax at 3- to 5-star resorts. They favor a style of narrowing sightseeing to one or two spots and spending their time on the resort stay, contributing significantly to per-guest spending. Guests arriving in Phu Quoc or Cam Ranh prefer to stay several nights at a five-star resort and keep sightseeing to a minimum. That is exactly why the guide shortage, which can make or break satisfaction, hurts.
Background: a destination that opened up under sanctions
With much of Europe closed to Russian visitors, Vietnam, which kept its doors open through visas and flight service, has become one of the few long-haul beach destinations reachable from Russia. Charter flights and package tours built a thick pipeline, and demand concentrated all at once. The supply side's staffing and language capacity has not caught up with the sudden surge.
Impact on readers
Around Nha Trang, Russian signage and cuisine are increasing rapidly. If you visit from Japan, whether to avoid the times and areas where Russian visitors concentrate, or conversely to enjoy the buzz, this is a moment when trip planning shifts. During peak periods, securing lodging early is reassuring.
Summary
Against a 300% surge in visitors, the number of language-capable guides can't keep up. This is a gateway that every fast-growing destination must pass through. Whether training for Russian-speaking guides and reception infrastructure can advance will be the dividing line for keeping this momentum from ending as a one-off.
Related reading:
・Vietnam's international tourists reach 10.6 million in five months
・Vietjet launches the Nha Trang-Singapore route
・European charter flight makes its first landing in Vietnam
Source:VietnamNet
