I see Russia as 'another planet'.

I visited the museum of wooden architecture in Suzdal, Russia.

When I was a child, my family had several Soviet-made items, and my mother often said, "Soviet goods are very durable." My curiosity about a country that could produce such products stayed with me into adulthood.

By mid-2025, I read about Russia's e-visa (electronic visa) increasing the permitted stay to 30 days, along with other travel news that made me think it was a sign from the universe: "Okay, let's go to Russia!"

My name is Tran Phuong Thao, I'm 31 years old and I work in marketing and communications in Hanoi . My partner, Giang, and I are at opposite ends of the country, so the end of 2025 - beginning of 2026 is the most suitable time.

The long holiday allowed us to travel for a full two weeks, instead of the usual 5-7 days. And in my mind at that time was the image of Christmas amidst the white snow, the squares brightly lit in Russia.

I (on the right) and Giang are strolling through the Christmas market in Red Square, Moscow, Russia.

The more I learn about Russia, the more challenging it seems.

Unlike previous trips where planning was relatively easy, Russia was completely different. Due to sanctions, flight options were limited. We had to search across multiple platforms before finding a suitable itinerary, with a layover in Chengdu (China).

Many people consider transit a "nightmare" because of the long waits, but I found it interesting because it allowed me to explore another city.

But the real challenge begins with planning. Russia is like another "planet," requiring travelers to utilize different systems and platforms for everything from payments and transportation to maps, hotel bookings, and communication.

Traveling to Russia isn't very popular with Vietnamese people, so information is fragmented, and I have to double-check every detail myself. I spent hours gathering information from travel groups, piecing together destinations to make sense.

The painting "The Appearance of Jesus to the People (1837-1857)", is on display at the Tretyakov Museum, Moscow, Russia.

Payment issues are also a major obstacle, as Russia does not accept international Visa and Mastercard payments, only domestic payment cards. Therefore, simple tasks like booking train, bus, or concert tickets become much more complicated.

Luckily, I had a friend in Russia who helped me with almost everything, from SIM cards, train tickets, and payment cards to arranging airport pick-up.

The weather is also a significant challenge when traveling to Russia in the middle of winter. We were born in a tropical country and had never experienced a snowy winter, so we had to prepare everything from thermal clothing and snow boots to warming patches.

Snow covered the streets of Saint Petersburg.

The first shock

I departed from Hanoi to Moscow on December 20, 2025, with a total flight time of nearly 17 hours, including layovers. Just before heading to the airport, Giang messaged me: "Everyone is printing color e-visas." I had absolutely no idea about this. In the taxi, I asked the driver and was directed to the second floor of the international terminal to print them. Luckily, there was a counter that opened early, and I managed to print two copies.

This was also my first time flying such a long distance. Although I had prepared a neck pillow and comfortable clothes, my body wasn't used to it yet, so I had to stand up and walk around frequently to relieve the fatigue.

When the plane landed at Sheremetyevo Airport in Moscow, my first feeling was disbelief. I had traveled far beyond my wildest dreams. I never thought that at the age of 30, I would be able to set foot in this country.

The familiar faces were gone, the Latin alphabet was gone; everything around me was unfamiliar. I realized I had stepped into a different world, a different culture.

Giang checked in at the winter palace in Saint Petersburg amidst a landscape of pristine white snow.

The moment I stepped out of the airport was the first shock. Despite being well-dressed, the cold in Russia could have overwhelmed us at any moment. The air was bitterly cold, a stark contrast to inside the airport; our breath trapped our masks, and our glasses fogged up instantly.

But along with the cold came excitement. We tried exhaling to see the air turn into a swirling cloud of smoke in front of us, something rarely seen in Vietnam anymore.

And then it snowed.

On the very first day, I witnessed snow covering my coat in just a short time. While everyone else hurried to avoid the cold, we tried to walk slowly, watching the snowflakes fall like a "sparkling shower of glitter."

I used to wonder if snowflakes were hexagonal like in cartoons. And when I looked closely, I realized that snow comes in many different shapes.

St. Basil's Cathedral and Christmas market in Moscow.

Where art is not just found in museums

Over two weeks, I traveled through four cities: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Suzdal, and Vladimir. Notable landmarks like Red Square, the Cathedral of Christ the Savior, and the Winter Palace were unmissable. But what surprised me most was the love of art that permeated the architecture, culture, lifestyle, and every experience we were fortunate enough to have.

In the capital, the Pushkin Museum overwhelmed me; it looked like an ancient Greek temple. As soon as I entered, I stumbled upon the ancient Egyptian exhibit with mummies, murals, and Nile River artifacts thousands of years old. I stood there silently for a long time, almost in tears.

A corner of the Pushkin Museum in Moscow.

In Suzdal, the museum of wooden architecture gives you the feeling of stepping into a 16th-17th century village covered in white snow. I was immersed in a fairytale-like, peaceful Russian countryside. Stepping into each house, I got a glimpse of life in the past.

The houses, which recreate the life of farmers in the past, feature typical everyday items found in Russian villages of that era, including stoves, wooden beds, tables, and benches.

The Museum of Wooden Architecture in Suzdal City.

The Moscow metro system offered another surprise. I used to think of train stations as just places to get around, but when I stepped into Kyivskaya station, I was stunned for a few seconds. Chandeliers, mosaics, marble columns—everything resembled a palace more than a station. Each time I got off the train, it felt like stepping into a different museum.

There were evenings when we weren't in a hurry to leave, spending hours in the train station watching street artists perform. In the winter chill, the music filled the air, creating a warm atmosphere in a truly special way.

Kieskaya Station in Moscow is strikingly decorated with exquisite mosaics on the ceiling and a magnificent chandelier system.

My childhood dream also came true when I saw ballet in Russia – the "cradle" that nurtured and developed ballet into the pinnacle of classical art. Although I didn't have the chance to see the legendary Swan Lake ballet, I still had the opportunity to enjoy The Nutcracker during Christmas.

The backdrop changes constantly, music is played live by an orchestra, the costumes are magnificent, and the dancers spin wildly in the air. All of this creates a vibrant stage atmosphere.

The Nutcracker is performed at the Great Hall, Kremlin, Moscow.

What remains

For me, Russian cuisine is easy to eat, not too greasy, and not too strongly flavored. A typical meal consists of salad, soup, and a main course (meat with a type of starch).

I particularly enjoyed herring marinated in oil with boiled potatoes, potato chips, and zucchini pie. Once, we mistakenly bought mashed potatoes thinking they were instant noodles. A small mishap, but one that will stay with us for a long time.

We had planned to spend 50 million VND per person, but in reality, it was around 45 million VND for the entire trip. Compared to many European destinations, Russia is more affordable, while offering a very diverse experience.

The Peter and Paul Fortress in Saint Petersburg was bustling with tourists on New Year's Day, January 1, 2026.

It's not just a country where art is present in everyday life; what truly captivated us was the warmth of its people during the cold winter months.

The locals' enthusiasm also captivated tourists. From the woman who guided us to the metro station, the elderly neighbor who helped open the homestay door, to the shop owner who gave us souvenirs, everything made the trip memorable.

Although I've only been to Russia once, and haven't stayed long enough to fully appreciate the beauty of its nature and people, it's precisely these experiences that motivate me to return again.

Whether you're ice skating, walking on frozen rivers, or exploring more distant destinations like watching the aurora borealis in Murmansk, visiting the world's largest freshwater lake, Lake Baikal, or taking the Trans-Siberian Railway to Mongolia.

Following this trip, I began sharing more about Russia, a destination I believe deserves more recognition from Vietnamese tourists, especially now that Russia is considering waiving visa requirements for groups.