Tourists from Russia will be honourable guests at Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2016, Vietnam’s leading tourism show in Hanoi from April 14-17, according to the organising board.

A booth at the Vietnam International Travel Mart 2015. (Photo: organising board)

Russia is billed as a country that is making significant changes in the world’s tourism market. Its people have suspended their tours to Egypt and Turkey due to plane crashes and political tension.

Vietnam is the fourth most popular destination for Russian tourists. Sixty percent choose Khanh Hoa province, making the locality Vietnam ’s most attractive destination for Russian people. Phu Quoc (Kien Giang province) and Mui Ne (Binh Thuan province) are also among ideal destinations for long holiday.

A programme to promote tourism will be held in Russia on February 23 to lure more vacationers to Hanoi and other destinations, as well as connect tours to foreign countries.

In addition, tours linking Hanoi with Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen provinces will be offered to Russian tourists during the VITM, themed “Vietnam – the paradise of sea and island tourism”.

VITM 2016 is the largest tourism forum of the year, with dozens of seminars, workshops and presentations.

The organising board has received official registrations from 535 enterprises from 24 countries and territories worldwide with 465 booths.

To meet increasing travel demand, Vietnamese airlines plan to provide 20,000 promotional fares. Travel agents are set to offer 15,000 tours with 20- to 30-percent discounts.

About 62,000 people are expected to visit and purchase tourism products during the show.

VNA