Vietnamese citizens to enter Russia without visa for 30 days

Holders of regular Vietnamese passports can enter and stay in Russia for up to 30 days without a visa between October 15, 2026, and October 15, 2027. This arrangement, outlined in Presidential Decree No. 730 signed on October 12, 2026, does not apply to work, study, or permanent residency. The decree was published on the official portal of legal acts.

What the decree includes

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed on October 12, 2026, Decree No. 730, titled On the temporary entry and exit regime for citizens of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam in/to the Russian Federation. The text was made public on the same day on the Kremlin website under the number 0001202610120031.

The decree is based on Article 24 of Federal Law No. 114-FZ of August 15, 1996, regarding entry and exit procedures in the Russian Federation. It entered into force on October 15, 2026, three days after its signing, and the exemption will apply until October 15, 2027, inclusive.

Between these dates, Vietnamese citizens may enter Russia for stays of up to 30 days without a visa, provided they hold a regular passport. The two countries have maintained close political ties, and this move formalizes that relationship further.

Covered stay purposes

According to the Russian presidency, the visa-free arrangement applies to the following situations:

• private or business visits;

• tourism;

• attending scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, and sporting events;

• transit through Russian territory and exiting the country.

Excluded stay purposes

The decree explicitly excludes Vietnamese citizens entering Russia for work, including journalistic assignments, study, or settlement. For these purposes, the visa arrangement does not apply.

The provision applies only to Vietnamese nationals. Travelers of other nationalities are not covered by this measure, and their status remains subject to standard regulations as outlined on our Russia visa page.

Temporary measure with no visa formalities

This is a temporary arrangement, valid for one year. It is introduced by presidential decree without reference to a bilateral agreement or reciprocity. The text does not specify whether the 30-day limit applies per entry or cumulatively over the visa-free period. It also does not mention any prior formalities required for entry.