Russia grants visa-free entry to Vietnamese tourists.

According to the Vietnam News Agency correspondent in Moscow, on October 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a policy of visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens, a mechanism valid for one year, until October 15, 2027.

According to an announcement posted on the official website of the Ministry of Justice, Vietnamese citizens can now stay in the Russian Federation for a maximum of 30 consecutive days if the purpose of the trip is not for work.

The visa-free policy applies to business trips, tourism, participation in events, and transit through Russia to third countries and vice versa.

The decree clarifies that the visa-free regime does not apply to foreigners coming to Russia for work, journalistic activities, study, or long-term residence.

The decree takes effect on Thursday, October 15th.

Thus, Vietnam has become the 12th country whose citizens are granted visa-free entry into the Russian Federation.

Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov emphasized that the implementation of a visa-free policy for Vietnamese citizens entering Russia could increase tourism, create more jobs in the supply chain, and provide further opportunities for developing economic relations.

He pointed out that the number of direct flights between Russia and Vietnam is increasing, and the range of flights is expanding. Currently, there are 78 flights per week between the two countries. Last year alone, 20 new routes were launched to the Vietnamese cities of Da Nang, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, Hanoi, and Ho Chi Minh City.

With this new regulation, the Russian Ministry of Economic Development expects the number of tourists between Russia and Vietnam to reach 1.5 million by the end of 2026.

The Russian Association of Tour Operators (ATOR) predicts that the number of Vietnamese tourists visiting Russia will increase by at least 30% after the visa exemption policy is implemented.

The intention to implement a visa exemption policy for Vietnamese citizens was announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin after his meeting with General Secretary and President To Lam in early September.