Da Nang, a central city in Vietnam, has officially resumed air services from Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) starting April 2026. This development marks a significant step towards enhancing global connectivity and opening new opportunities for tourism and economic growth.
The CIS is an intergovernmental organization comprising post-Soviet countries such as Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These nations collaborate on various agreements related to trade, finance, lawmaking, and security. Many of them are also part of the CIS Free Trade Area, which facilitates regional economic integration.
Tourism plays a vital role in Da Nang’s economy, consistently showing double-digit growth and contributing significantly to socio-economic development. To further boost this sector, the city has intensified its promotion and stimulus campaigns, aiming to welcome nearly 20 million visitors this year.
The resumption of air services from Russia and the CIS is expected to diversify the source markets for tourism and maintain positive momentum despite ongoing global uncertainties. These services, operated in collaboration with airlines and travel companies, are anticipated to drive tourism growth throughout 2026.
On April 13, Flight VJ55 from Astana (Kazakhstan) landed at Da Nang International Airport with 370 passengers, including about 250 representatives from the travel industry in CIS countries. The Astana-Da Nang route will operate three flights weekly in April and May, increasing to six flights from June.
Additionally, a flight from Vladivostok (Russia), carrying around 220 passengers, arrived on April 16. The frequency of this route is set to increase from two to three flights per month starting in May.
Russian tourists arrived at Da Nang International Airport on a flight from Vladivostok, on April 16, 2026. Photo by VnExpress/Nguyen Dong
In parallel, Da Nang hosted a famtrip from April 13 to 18, bringing together over 250 travel firms from the CIS to explore local tourism offerings. Networking and business matching events scheduled for April 17-18 are expected to stimulate inbound flows from these markets.
Despite global market volatility, Russia and CIS countries are considered high-potential source markets, as visitors tend to spend more and stay longer. In the first quarter of 2026, Da Nang welcomed approximately 2.3 million international arrivals, including over 100,000 from Russia and the CIS, accounting for 4.35% of total arrivals. The city aims for a tourism growth of 30-40% this year, with these markets identified as key drivers.
From April to October 2026, nearly 570 flights from Russia and CIS countries are expected to operate to Da Nang, carrying an estimated 120,000 passengers. The network will extend beyond Kazakhstan to include Uzbekistan, Belarus, and Russian cities such as Vladivostok, Khabarovsk, Novokuznetsk, and Barnaul. Most of these flights will be operated on a charter basis, offering greater flexibility for travelers.
