Vietnam hails Russia's visa-free policy for Vietnamese citizens
VOV.VN - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang provided updates on two major visa policy updates during the regular press briefing on October 15, highlighting Vietnam's appreciation of Russia's visa exemption for Vietnamese passport holders and detailing the pilot visa-free policy for Chinese tour grou
Welcoming Russia's visa exemption policy
Responding to a reporter's query regarding Russia officially implementing visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports starting October 15, 2026, Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that Vietnam welcomes the policy under Decree No. 730 issued on October 12, 2026, by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Hang said that during the state visit to the Russian Federation by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, both sides issued a joint statement on further strengthening the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new era.
The joint statement emphasized expanding labor cooperation and boosting tourism exchanges through increasing regular and charter flights, streamlining entry and exit procedures for Vietnamese citizens entering Russia, and moving toward a visa-free regime for ordinary passport holders.
Piloting visa exemption for Chinese tour groups in Khanh Hoa
In regard to another query regarding Vietnam's pilot visa exemption for Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports traveling in tour groups to Khanh Hoa province, the spokesperson noted recent positive developments in travel facilitation and visa policies between Vietnam and other nations.
On behalf of the Government, Deputy Prime Minister Phan Van Giang signed Resolution No. 325 on October 12, 2026, granting visa exemptions for citizens of the People's Republic of China holding valid ordinary passports traveling in tour groups to Vietnam during the 2026-2027 Vietnam-China Tourism Year.
Hang specified that the visa exemption policy applies from October 12, 2026, through December 31, 2027, for Chinese citizens holding valid ordinary passports (excluding passport holders from Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions) in accordance with Vietnam's Law on Entry, Exit, Transit, and Residence of Foreigners. The policy covers group tours (consisting of two or more people) organized by international travel agencies of Vietnam under the framework of the 2026-2027 Vietnam-China Tourism Year.
The designated destination and geographical scope is Khanh Hoa province. Visitors must enter and exit through Cam Ranh International Airport via direct flights from mainland China, adhering to the principle of entering and exiting through the same border gate.
The Vietnamese diplomat emphasized that piloting visa exemptions for Chinese ordinary passport holders visiting Khanh Hoa in tour groups is a concrete step to realize the important common perceptions reached by top leaders of the two Parties and two nations, including launching the 2026-2027 Vietnam-China Tourism Year during General Secretary and State President To Lam's visit to China in April 2026.
The policy aims to facilitate travel for Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam, promote people-to-people exchanges and tourism cooperation, thereby consolidating the social foundation for bilateral ties and bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries.
The Spokesperson added that, similar to other pilot policies, Vietnamese competent agencies will monitor, evaluate, and study outcomes during implementation to make adjustments in line with practical realities.
Russia grants Vietnamese citizens visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days
VOV.VN - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing Vietnamese citizens to enter Russia without a visa for stays of up to 30 days, from October 15, 2026, through October 15, 2027, for tourism, business, family visits and other specified purposes.
