YuSMP Travel Editorial Team
Russian entries to the UAE for tourism purposes fell 43.1% year-on-year in January-September 2026, to 897,815 trips, while trips to Vietnam grew 2.6 times (to 1.13 million) and trips to China rose 60% (to 2.76 million). The figures come from Russia's border service and the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR): the UAE decline is tied to spring 2026 flight disruptions rather than worsening conditions for tourists, but anyone choosing a winter destination should know how the market has shifted — compare visa rules, season and budget with YuSMP Travel's destination match.
The numbers: who gained, who lost
The UAE saw the sharpest change of any destination: tourist entries fell 43.1% year-on-year. Against that backdrop, Vietnam and China are gaining market share faster than long-established Turkey and Egypt.
Russian outbound trips, January-September 2026 vs 2025
| Country | Change | Volume |
|---|---|---|
| UAE | -43.1% | 897,815 trips |
| Vietnam | +2.6x | 1.13 million trips |
| China (total, incl. land crossings) | +60% | 2.76 million trips |
| China (by air) | +60.6% | 1.66 million trips |
| Egypt | +27.4% | 1.81 million trips |
| Turkey | +3.1% | 5.7 million trips |
A separate data point from booking service Onlinetours shows Vietnam tour bookings up almost 4.5 times (+347%) over the same period, moving the destination from 8th to 5th place in its popularity ranking, behind only Turkey, Egypt, domestic Russian trips and Thailand. The average Vietnam package price barely moved — 234,400 rubles versus 228,700 rubles a year earlier — so the surge in demand isn't driven by sharply cheaper tours.
Why UAE trips fell 43%
The decline is mainly tied to events in the Middle East. On 28 February 2026, the US and Israel launched military operations against Iran, triggering temporary regional airspace closures and disrupting key hub operations. In March-April 2026, Rosaviatsia imposed its own flight restrictions, further cutting available Russia-UAE capacity during the peak booking window for summer and autumn trips.
Yury Barzykin, head of the tourism committee at Russia's Chamber of Commerce and Industry, also points to a secondary factor — rising competition: some travellers who previously chose Gulf destinations have shifted to Vietnam, China and Egypt as direct air links with those countries expanded.
Why Vietnam and China are growing
The rise in Vietnam and China travel coincides with a notable expansion of Russian flight programmes. In recent weeks alone, five Russian carriers — Aeroflot, S7, Nordwind, IrAero and Ikar — applied for new Vietnam routes (see "Five Russian Airlines Request New Vietnam Routes"), and the Transport Ministry announced plans to raise flight frequency between the two countries to 105 flights a week each way. China shows a similar pattern, with carriers adding flights to Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing from regional cities, not just Moscow.
More direct flights and carrier competition are keeping airfares in check even as demand grows — one reason the average Vietnam package price barely rose despite the multi-fold increase in trip numbers.
What this means if you're planning a trip
This statistic doesn't mean the UAE has become unsafe or poor value: scheduled air service has resumed, and the drop in traveller volume reflects a temporary spring disruption and a shift in some demand elsewhere, not new restrictions on tourists.
If you've already chosen the UAE, just check your specific flight's schedule in advance and don't expect quite as wide a choice of direct departures as before February 2026 — we also previously covered how an oil spill closed beaches in the north of the country.
For anyone still choosing a destination, the expanded Vietnam and China flight programmes are a practical argument in their favour: more direct routes and departure dates, stable tour pricing, and a wider choice of departure cities. Entry rules, season and budget for Vietnam are covered in "Vietnam for Russians: The Complete Guide", and you can compare it with other Asian destinations via YuSMP Travel's destination catalogue.
Frequently asked questions
How much did Russian travel to the UAE fall in 2026?
According to Russia's border service, UAE entries for tourism purposes dropped 43.1% year-on-year in January-September 2026, to 897,815 trips.
Why did UAE tourist numbers fall?
The main driver was the US and Israeli military operations against Iran that began on 28 February 2026: regional airspace closures and Rosaviatsia's own flight restrictions in March-April disrupted key hub operations. A secondary factor is growing competition from Vietnam, China and Egypt, where Russian air links have expanded.
How much did travel to Vietnam and China grow?
Trips to Vietnam grew 2.6 times to 1.13 million in January-September 2026. Trips to China (including land crossings) rose 60% to 2.76 million, with 1.66 million by air (+60.6%).
Does this mean the UAE has become worse for tourists?
No: this is a decline in traveller volume, not a sign of worse entry conditions or safety for those already flying there. Scheduled air service has resumed, though some routes and connections remain less frequent than before February 2026 — check the airline's current schedule before booking.
Should this statistic change my destination choice?
It depends on your priorities: the growth in Vietnam and China travel reflects more direct flights and tour operator offers, not a problem with the UAE itself. Compare visa rules, budget and season across countries using YuSMP Travel's destination match.
Sources
- Vedomosti — on the 43.1% drop in UAE trips and the rise in Vietnam and China travel, citing Russia's border service and ATOR, 11 November 2026.
- Izvestia — on Vietnam tour bookings rising almost 4.5 times, citing Onlinetours data, 11 November 2026.
Travel flow statistics shift month to month — check the airline's current schedule and the country's official visa portal before you travel.
