Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang announced today that Vietnam welcomes Russia's policy of granting visa exemptions to Vietnamese ordinary passport holders. This move aligns with the recent joint statement on strengthening relations in a new phase, made during the state visit to Russia by General Secretary and President To Lam.

During the visit, Vietnam and Russia expressed support for labor cooperation and increased tourism exchange between the two countries. The spokesperson noted that facilitating tourism and labor cooperation involves increasing regular and charter flights, simplifying entry procedures for Vietnamese citizens entering Russia, and moving towards a visa exemption regime for ordinary passport holders.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang. Photo: Giang Huy

The visa exemption decree, signed by President Putin on 12/10, permits Vietnamese citizens to enter and stay in Russia without a visa for a maximum period of 30 days. This information was officially announced on the Kremlin's website.

The policy applies to Vietnamese ordinary passport holders traveling to Russia for various purposes, including: tourism, visiting relatives, business, participating in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, or sports activities, and transiting through the country. The visa exemption policy is effective from 15/10 until 15/10/2027.

Vietnamese citizens falling under these categories are permitted to enter, reside, and exit without applying for a visa. However, the regulation does not apply to individuals traveling to Russia for work, including journalists, those pursuing studies, or those intending long-term residency.

Lan Huong