Russia waives visa requirements for Vietnamese citizens

visa waiver tourism bilateral relations travel policy Russia-Vietnam relations

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting visa exemptions to Vietnamese citizens, effective from October 15, 2026, through October 15, 2027. Under this new policy, holders of ordinary Vietnamese passports may enter and stay in Russia for up to 30 days without a visa.

The exemption applies to various purposes, including tourism, business trips, visiting relatives, participating in scientific, cultural, economic, or sporting events, and transit through Russian territory. However, the policy specifically excludes those entering for labor, journalism, long-term residence, or study.

Russian officials, including Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, expect the move to boost tourism and economic cooperation. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) predicts that Vietnamese tourist arrivals could increase by at least 25-30% due to the change. This follows a trend of increasing connectivity, with 78 weekly flights currently operating between the two nations.

Entities

Association of Tour Operators of Russia · Bering Strait · Donald Trump · Elon Musk · Kirill Dmitriev · Maxim Reshetnikov · Russia · Russian Direct Investment Fund · The Boring Company · Vietnam · Vladimir Putin

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 7 SOURCES] President Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting visa exemptions to Vietnamese citizens. doanhnghiephoinhap.vn · mekongasean.vn · phunuvietnam.vn · reatimes.vn · baoquocte.vn · +2 more
[● 2 SOURCES] The visa exemption policy is governed by Decree No. 730. doanhnghiephoinhap.vn · mekongasean.vn
[● 3 SOURCES] The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) predicts Vietnamese tourist numbers to Russia will increase by at least 30%. phunuvietnam.vn · reatimes.vn · tienphong.vn
[● 7 SOURCES] The visa exemption does not apply to those entering for labor, journalism, study, or long-term residence. doanhnghiephoinhap.vn · mekongasean.vn · phunuvietnam.vn · reatimes.vn · baoquocte.vn · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] Vietnamese citizens can stay in Russia for a maximum of 30 days without a visa. doanhnghiephoinhap.vn · mekongasean.vn · phunuvietnam.vn · reatimes.vn · baoquocte.vn · +2 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The visa exemption policy is effective from October 15, 2026, until October 15, 2027. doanhnghiephoinhap.vn · mekongasean.vn · phunuvietnam.vn · reatimes.vn · baoquocte.vn · +2 more
[● 3 SOURCES] Russian Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov expects tourist numbers between the two nations to reach 1.5 million by the end of 2026. phunuvietnam.vn · reatimes.vn · baoquocte.vn