Vietnamese Travellers to Russia Skip Visas for 30-Day Trips From Oct 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed Decree No. 730 on 12 October 2026, letting Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports enter Russia without a visa for stays of up to 30 days. The measure took effect on 15 October 2026 and applies until 15 October 2027, covering tourism, business and family travel.

Key facts

• Start date: 15 October 2026, valid through 15 October 2027
• Who: Vietnamese citizens with ordinary passports
• Length of stay: up to 30 days per visit, counted from the day you cross the Russian border
• Cost: no visa is required; the decree sets no fee
• Annual limit: entries are not limited per calendar year, but total time in Russia must not exceed 90 days

Who is covered, and who is not?

The exemption covers trips for tourism, family visits, business visits and economic events, as well as scientific, cultural, political, social and sports events and transit through Russian territory.

It does not apply to travellers entering Russia for work — including journalism — study or long-term residence. Vietnamese citizens planning those kinds of stays must still obtain the appropriate visas through standard diplomatic channels.

What do I need before flying?

The Russian Embassy in Hanoi set out the practical points. Your entry and exit must both fall within the validity of your passport, and airlines may impose their own rules, so check with your carrier before booking.

Carry documents showing the purpose of your trip, such as a hotel booking, flight tickets, an invitation letter or proof of family ties. No advance notice to a Russian embassy or consulate is needed.

The embassy also confirmed that the exemption covers Vietnamese citizens arriving from third countries, by any form of transport, through border crossings open to passengers.

Can I enter more than once?

Yes. The number of entries in a calendar year is not limited, but your combined time in Russia must stay within 90 days. Medical insurance is not a condition of entry under Decree No. 730. Travellers can move around Russia except in areas where foreigners need a special permit.

What about the RuID app?

Visa-free visitors can declare their trip in Russia's Gosuslugi RuID app, normally 72 hours before entry. Russia's digital ministry says a missing declaration does not automatically mean refused entry.

What this means for travellers

Vietnamese travellers planning a short trip to Russia no longer need to apply for a visa, but should confirm they hold an ordinary passport, that their trip purpose falls within the permitted categories, and that their passport covers both entry and exit. Documents proving the purpose of the visit should be carried.

Wider travel between the two countries has been growing: Vietnam recorded around 1.13 million Russian visitors in the first nine months of 2026, more than 160% higher than a year earlier, according to Vietnam's National Statistics Office. The Association of Tour Operators of Russia expects the new rules could lift Vietnamese travel to Russia by at least 30%.

The visa-free arrangement is temporary and is scheduled to end on 15 October 2027; no decision on extending it has been announced.