Russians flock to coastal Vietnam

KHANH HOA, 22 April 2013:  Iimproved services, stable prices, beautiful landscapes and variety of attractions are  the drivers that are drawing tourists back to this south central province in Vietnam, according to the Provincial Culture, Sport and Tourism Department

The department quoted a recent survey that claimed 60% of foreign tourists returned to Khanh Hoa for a second visit, and 20.1% returned for a third time or more.

“It showed the reasons why travellers returned. They included improved services, stable prices, beautiful landscapes and a wide range of attractions,” the department said.

Russia, South Korea, Australia, and the United States are the largest tourism suppliers in the international market.

Khanh Hoa Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism vice director, Phan Thanh Truc added: “Russian tourists usually stay for an average of seven to 10 days, some even stay for a month to enjoy or build skills in water sports.”

Vietnam Airlines announced recently a new flight connecting Moscow with Cam Ranh in Khanh Hoa province that is due to start 4 May. The weekly flight will expand to two a week from October this year, using Boeing 777 aircraft.

Khanh Hoa Tourism Promotion Information Centre director, Nguyen Van Thanh, said: “More than half of the Russian tourists who travel to Vietnam will visit Khanh Hoa. The Cam Ranh Airport receives around three to five charter flights from Russia daily,” adding that traffic should  increase this year.

So far this year, Khanh Hoa received 171,000 foreign visitors, an increase of 27% compared to the same period last year. Around 35,000 were Russians.

Background:

Khánh Hòa Province has a coastline of 385 km from the ??i Lãnh Commune to the end of Cam Ranh Bay featuring numerous creeks, lagoons, river estuaries and hundreds of islands and islets. The coastline is indented by several bays, most notably Vân Phong Bay, Nha Phu Bay, Nha Trang Bay (Cù Huân) and Cam Ranh Bay.

Cam Ranh Bay sheltered by a  mountain range  and is regarded as one of three best natural seaports in the world.

Nha Trang is the provincial capital and the largest town in the province and is linked to Vietnam’s main north-south transport corridors. National Road 1A and the North-South Railway run through the province and all reunification express trains as well as some local trains stop at Nha Trang Railway Station.

Sourced: ttrweekly