Russia Expands Visa-Free Travel to Vietnam to Attract Asian Tourists
Russia has introduced visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens to counter the decline in Western tourism, with Vietnamese visitors rising significantly.
Russia has introduced visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens as part of a broader effort to deal with the collapse of Western visits since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The number of tourists from EU countries travelling to Russia fell to around 160,000 in 2025, from just over 5 million in 2019. Cancelled direct flights, payment card restrictions and sanctions have effectively severed leisure travel from Europe and the US, and inbound tourism as a whole declined further in the first half of 2026.
The Vietnam visa-free decree signed by Vladimir Putin and taking effect on Thursday covers tourists, businesspeople, members of delegations and transit passengers. Vietnamese nationals seeking long-term residency, employment or study in Russia will still require a visa. For several years, Russian citizens have been able to enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days. Vietnamese visitors to Russia rose 69% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, which projects a further 25-30% increase after the visa requirement was removed. Vietnam has become the third most popular foreign destination for Russian travellers. Figures were also rising on the other end: the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism recorded 1,134,000 Russian visitors in the first nine months of 2026, a 160% increase, making Russia its third-largest source market.
Sources4
Original reporting and primary evidence.
- EuronewsPrimary sourceRussia woos Asian tourists in attempt to counter European visits collapse
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Claim connections9
Russia has introduced visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens as part of a broader effort to deal with the collapse of Western visits since its 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
confirmedConnected sources1
The number of tourists from EU countries travelling to Russia fell to around 160,000 in 2025, from just over 5 million in 2019.
confirmedConnected sources1
Cancelled direct flights, payment card restrictions and sanctions have effectively severed leisure travel from Europe and the US, and inbound tourism as a whole declined further in the first half of 2026.
confirmedConnected sources1
The Vietnam visa-free decree signed by Vladimir Putin and taking effect on Thursday covers tourists, businesspeople, members of delegations and transit passengers.
confirmedConnected sources1
Vietnamese nationals seeking long-term residency, employment or study in Russia will still require a visa.
confirmedConnected sources1
For several years, Russian citizens have been able to enter Vietnam visa-free for stays of up to 45 days.
confirmedConnected sources1
Vietnamese visitors to Russia rose 69% in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, according to the Association of Tour Operators of Russia, which projects a further 25-30% increase after the visa requirement was removed.
confirmedConnected sources1
Vietnam has become the third most popular foreign destination for Russian travellers.
confirmedConnected sources1
Figures were also rising on the other end: the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism recorded 1,134,000 Russian visitors in the first nine months of 2026, a 160% increase, making Russia its third-largest source market.
confirmed