Between January and August, Russian tourist arrivals in Vietnam surged 45 percent compared to the same period last year, according to Russian news agency Sputnik.

A beach in Nha Trang city, Khanh Hoa province

The central coastal city of Nha Trang welcomed 280,000 Russian in the first eight months, an annual increase of 220 percent. The beach city has long been a favourite destination for Russians in the country. 

The volume of French, Italian, German and Canadian tourists to Nha Trang, in contrast, dropped by between 8 and 30 percent.

In 2016, 450,000 people from Russia visited Vietnam, about 50,000 more than forecast.

Direct flights connect the two countries on a daily basis. 

Maya Lomidze, Executive Director of Association of Tour Operators of Russia, said Russians favour Asian beaches for their holidays.

Vietnamese and Thai tours were the most popular in Southeast Asia, she added.

Lomidze projected a record of 700,000 Russians to visit Vietnam this year.

VNA