Vietnam and Russia push visa-free travel plan

Vietnam and Russia are discussing visa-free travel for Vietnamese tour groups, as stronger flight links and a surge in Russian arrivals add momentum to two-way tourism.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi said negotiations are focused initially on easing entry for Vietnamese travellers visiting Russia as part of organised groups.

Russia already benefits from Vietnam’s unilateral visa exemption for Russian passport holders, allowing stays of up to 45 days. The policy, introduced in August 2023, has helped make Vietnam a fast-growing destination for Russian visitors.

Russian arrivals rise sharply

Vietnam received more than one million Russian visitors in the first eight months of 2026, up 165.7 per cent from the same period a year earlier, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Russian official Nikita Kondratiev has forecast that arrivals could reach a record 1.5 million this year. That would be close to double the 700,000 to 800,000 Russian visitors Vietnam received annually before the pandemic.

Tourism authorities and industry figures attribute the growth to visa-free access, expanding direct and charter flights, and wider acceptance of QR-code payments and MIR bank cards in some locations.

Easier travel for Vietnamese groups

Vietnamese travel firms report growing interest in Russia, with around 10 to 15 tour groups leaving for the country each month nationwide, particularly from northern Vietnam.

A group visa waiver could reduce paperwork and costs, making it easier for operators to offer more competitive packages and more frequent departures. Current products include Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Golden Ring routes, Russia-Belarus itineraries, Volga cruises and winter trips to Murmansk.

The source said Vietnamese visitor numbers to Russia rose 21.4 per cent year on year in the first half of 2026.

Flights add to the momentum

Direct air connections are expanding between the two countries, helping lower travel costs and supporting tourism exchange. Better connectivity could also make it easier for travel businesses to broaden their products and for independent travellers to plan trips.

The proposed exemption remains under negotiation and is not yet a confirmed entry rule.

What it means for foreigners in Vietnam

For Russian visitors, Vietnam’s existing 45-day visa exemption remains the practical rule to check before travel. Foreign residents in Vietnam who work in tourism, hospitality, transport or property may see continued demand in destinations popular with Russian travellers, including coastal resort areas. Vietnamese nationals considering Russia should wait for official confirmation before relying on any future group visa waiver.

September 9,2026