Numerous Vietnamese tourists enter Russia under new visa-free policy
VOV.VN - Vietnamese citizens holding ordinary passports have begun entering Russia visa-free for tourism, business, and visiting relatives under a policy that took effect on October 15, 2026, according to local travel agencies.
Travel operators specializing in Russian tours say a growing number of Vietnamese visitors have entered the country without visas over recent days. The policy is expected to generate positive signals for bilateral tourism exchanges in 2026 and 2027.
Vu Giang Bien, Director of Paradise Asia Travel Company (PATTOURS), says nearly half of her tour group was admitted to Moscow visa-free on October 23, while the remaining members already held valid visas.
"Vietnamese tourists completed entry procedures in Moscow smoothly within just a few minutes. Our company thoroughly studied the visa-free regulations and prepared all required documentation for the group, including hotel confirmations, service vouchers, and tour itineraries," Bien states.
Bien adds that the policy benefits tourists, travel agencies, and airlines alike. Apart from reducing visa expenses, companies can now take last-minute bookings right before departure. While Russian tours previously ran mainly from April to October, operators plan to run them year-round across all four seasons. PATTOURS is set to serve 5,000 to 6,000 Vietnamese travelers to Russia in 2027.
Citing the Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR), Russian news agency TASS reported that expanding visa exemptions for Vietnamese citizens, who currently use electronic visas, will boost interest in Russian travel, potentially propelling a 25% to 30% increase in Vietnamese visitors. ATOR also recorded a 69% year-on-year surge in Vietnamese arrivals during the first half of 2026.
Russian tour operators view Vietnam as a highly prospective market in both traveler volume and spending quality.
Vietnamese tourists typically book full package tours across Russia and are willing to spend substantial amounts for memorable experiences," industry representatives note. Beyond primary hubs like Moscow and Saint Petersburg, Vietnamese visitors are showing strong interest in northern Russia.
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.
