Russia Prepares Visa-Free Travel Regime for Vietnamese Passport Holders
Russian authorities announced on September 9, 2026, that visa-free entry for Vietnamese ordinary passport holders is in preparation, according to Travel Buddy AI.
The measure is framed as reciprocal to Vietnam's existing policy for Russian passport holders. No implementing agreement, effective date, stay duration, or eligible purpose has been published.
Operational Status
The proposal is reciprocal. Russian ordinary passport holders currently enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days, a regime in effect through March 14, 2028.
- Announcement date: September 9, 2026
- Statement source: President Vladimir Putin, reported by Interfax
- Implementing decree: not identified
- Effective date: pending publication
- Stay limit: unspecified
- Eligible purposes: unspecified
- Passport category: Vietnamese ordinary passports
Until an agreement, decree, and start date are formally published, the existing visa requirement remains in force for ordinary passports. Travelers cannot use the announced exemption today.
Current entry channels remain active:
- E-visa: single entry, 120-day validity, up to 30 days stay, applied through evisa.kdmid.ru
- Standard visa: required for longer stays or multiple entries
- Diplomatic and official passport holders: visa-free for up to 90 days
- APEC Business Travel Card with RUS designation: visa-free
Earlier government discussions referenced visa-free organized group tourism. The later presidential statement broadened the framing to Vietnamese citizens at large, leaving coverage of independent travelers versus approved tour groups unresolved.
Pending Decisions
- Coverage scope: independent travelers versus organized tour groups
- Permitted activity: tourism only, or also business, employment, and transit
- Allowable stay length: no figure published
- Entry frequency: single entry or multiple entries
- Implementation vehicle: bilateral agreement or unilateral decree
Pre-Travel Protocol
- Do not book on the assumption that visa-free access is available
- Secure an e-visa or standard visa before departure
- Verify current rules with the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Monitor for publication of the implementing decree and effective date
- Reconfirm entry conditions before finalizing travel plans