Tired of England, France, and Italy! Now, many Vietnamese youths are turning to explore Russia – a destination that's both familiar and exotic! - Mytour

Russia holds the youthful memories of many grandparents and parents, making it feel incredibly familiar! But Russia is also unique, fascinating, and full of beautiful things to discover. That's why a significant number of young travelers are choosing this place as their new travel hotspot.

Bored with England, France, and Italy! Now, many Vietnamese youths are switching to travel to Russia – a destination that's both familiar and exotic!

For those with an endless passion for exploring the world, Europe is undoubtedly a must-visit at least once in a lifetime. However, if Europe has always been associated with Italy or France, in recent years, many have started choosing traveling to Russia as a stopping point.

This country is not only vast with many places to explore and visit but also a land closely tied to the youthful years of parents at home. Many of us have heard the stories of our parents living and studying in Russia, even though we've never visited. The distant land suddenly becomes familiar, despite never having set foot there.

In the minds of many young people, Russia is still a somewhat old-fashioned, slow-paced country more suitable for grandparents. But once you go, you'll realize this country is dazzling, exciting, and far more awe-inspiring. No need to worry about running out of places to go—just worry about not having enough time and energy to explore it all. And everywhere is just as fresh, youthful, and cool as those famous tourist cities you've always dreamed of.

Our friend Vu Quynh Anh perfectly represents a typical young individual. With parents who were former students in Russia, she has heard countless stories about the country. Recently, she had some unforgettable days exploring Russia, visiting famous places like Moscow, St. Petersburg, the ancient town of Sergiev Posad, and the renowned Holy Trinity Cathedral. Modern, charming, and stunning—these are Quynh Anh's authentic impressions of Russia. Let's take a look at her 13-day, 12-night Russia tour to see how captivating this country can be!

Itinerary for 13 days and 12 nights:

Hanoi – Moscow – St.Petersburg – Moscow – Sergiev Posad (ancient town)/ Suzdal (countryside) – Moscow – Hanoi.

Moscow

With parents who were former students in Russia, I've heard so much about the beautiful fairytale-like Russia over the years. In my mind, Moscow was somewhat old-fashioned and dull. Therefore, my feelings before the Russia trip were a mix of low expectations and a bit of excitement and anticipation for visiting a country I've never set foot in.

The first impression upon landing at the airport is that Moscow is completely different from what I imagined. Unlike the image of square, rugged concrete houses, it is a modern city with plenty of greenery, incredibly fresh air, and rows of houses painted in various charming tones.

In the initial days in Moscow, we explored the fascinating subway stations, each with its unique design. We cruised along the river, strolled through the central area, visiting iconic historical landmarks like the Kremlin, churches, and the grand GUM shopping center that feels like a palace (don't miss the delicious vanilla ice cream here—fragrant, rich, and incredibly refreshing)...

The surrounding streets are delightful, especially in summer. Leisurely wander through the ancient streets, admiring unique Eastern European architecture adorned with colorful wall panels and roofs resembling onion domes, playfully nicknamed 'onion peel roofs.'

St.Petersburg

We traveled by night train to the city of St. Petersburg. Quaint and much smaller than Moscow, St. Petersburg is a tranquil and lovely city with small streets stretching along the banks of the Neva River.

Here, you'll feel a blend of London's vintage charm and the loveliness of Amsterdam. Besides exploring the city, enjoy tea and pastries in cozy yellow-lit bakeries on chilly evenings. Of course, no one visits here without exploring famous landmarks like the Winter Palace and the Summer Palace. To experience a different mode of transportation, we opted for a high-speed train from St. Petersburg back to Moscow, taking a 4-hour journey.

In the following days in Moscow, we decided to visit the city's unique markets:

+ Explore Izmailovsky Souvenir Market, a place where you can discover all handmade Russian souvenirs on the ground floor or immerse yourself on the second floor with billions of antique items spanning various eras.

+ Central Market: mainly wholesale for food – fruits, seafood, vegetables, meat –> everything Russian and European neighboring countries' specialties can be found here. We were particularly amazed by the fruit market section – dozens of kiosks overflowing with irresistibly fresh and sweet fruits.

Visit the ancient town of Sergiev Posad with the famous Holy Trinity Cathedral.

Embark on a journey to Suzdal village, quite far from Moscow, to experience Russian countryside life with delicious honey cakes and Ivan's homegrown tea in a charming and romantic cafe. Enjoy the sunset by the river or explore numerous ancient churches (yes, there are so many ancient churches in Russia you could visit forever).

By The Young Intellectual

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Reference: Travel Guide from Mytour