HCMC – Russian carrier Nordwind Airlines has restarted direct flights between Moscow and Cam Ranh after a suspension of more than five years, signaling a potential rebound in Russian tourism to Vietnam’s south-central coast.
On September 29, the Khanh Hoa Center for Investment, Trade, and Tourism Promotion, in partnership with Pegas Misr Vietnam and related agencies, held a ceremony to welcome the first Nordwind flight. The aircraft carried 379 Russian tourists directly from Moscow to Cam Ranh International Airport.
Hoang Thi Phong Thu, chairwoman of Pegas Misr Vietnam, said demand among Russian travelers for vacations in Vietnam remains high.
From now until the end of 2025, Pegas Misr and Nordwind plan to operate about 20 flights per month from major Russian cities, including Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Vladivostok, Ekaterinburg, Khabarovsk, Irkutsk, and Krasnoyarsk. These flights are expected to bring around 6,800 Russian visitors to Khanh Hoa each month.
The number of flights is expected to rise during Russia’s winter holiday season at the end of this year and early next year. Most tourists stay in four- and five-star resorts for 10 to 12 days, with some extending their trips to nearly a month. Popular activities include island tours, visits to cultural sites, and sampling local cuisine.
In addition to Russian travelers, Pegas Misr is targeting other Russian-speaking markets such as Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. Russia remains one of Khanh Hoa’s key tourism markets.
Besides Nordwind, several other airlines — including Azur Air, Aeroflot, Ikar Airlines, IrAero Airlines, Red Wings, and Vietjet Air — have also resumed direct services between Russian cities and Cam Ranh. Together, they are operating more than 30 flights per week.
In the first eight months of 2025, Khanh Hoa welcomed 279,000 Russian visitors, up nearly 295% year-on-year.
