The number of Russian holidaymakers coming to Vietnam rose by 13.5 percent to 108,750 in the first quarter of 2016, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR).

Russian tourists at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa province.

Vietnam welcomed about 2.46 million foreign tourists during the same period, a year-on-year increase of more than 19.9 percent.

Russia led European countries in the number of visitors to Vietnam, followed by the United Kingdom (68,000) and France (67,500).

Russian tour operators have seen increasing demand for tours to India, Thailand and Vietnam following restrictions on travel to Turkey and Egypt.

About 130,000 Russian people holidayed in Vietnam last year. Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province), Phu Quoc (Kien Giang province) and Mui Ne (Binh Thuan province) are among popular destinations for Russians.

The country hopes to welcome at least 400,000 Russian visitors this year and about one million by 2020.

VNA