Minister of Economic Development Maxim Reshetnikov, quoted by Vietnam News Agency, said Russia is exploring measures to facilitate entry for Vietnamese travellers as part of efforts to boost tourism from the Southeast Asian country.

According to the ministry, Vietnam’s rapidly growing economy, large population and expanding middle class are driving increasing demand for international travel, making the country a promising source market for Russia’s tourism sector.

Russia is therefore considering adjustments to its entry policies, including the potential introduction of a visa exemption scheme for organised tour groups from Vietnam.

At the same time, Russia plans to step up tourism promotion in Southeast Asia through the “Discover Russia” project, a branding initiative launched in 2024 to showcase regional destinations to international travellers. In 2025, the number of international visitors to Russia rose by about 12%.

Around 15,000 Vietnamese travellers visit Russia each year, while Vietnam receives a significantly larger number of Russian tourists.

In 2025, Vietnam welcomed 689,714 Russian visitors, placing Russia among the country’s top 10 international source markets. Arrivals from Russia nearly tripled compared with 2024, surpassing pre-pandemic levels and reaching the highest level in a decade.

Vietnam remains preferred destination for Russian tourists

Despite recent unfavourable weather conditions in several Vietnamese localities, Russian travel companies reported no cancellations or reductions in tour bookings to Vietnam, indicating that the country remains a highly attractive destination for Russian holidaymakers.