MOSCOW, October 13. Vietnamese tourists will be able to visit Russia without a visa for one year, a Vietnam News correspondent in Moscow reported for the Vietnam News Agency.
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on October 12 introducing a one-year visa-free regime for Vietnamese citizens. It will remain in effect until October 15, 2027.
According to a notice published on the official website of Russia's Ministry of Justice, Vietnamese citizens may stay in Russia for up to 30 consecutive days if they are not travelling for employment.
The visa-free regime covers business trips, tourism, participation in events and transit through Russia to third countries and back.
The decree states that the regime does not apply to foreign nationals travelling to Russia for employment, journalistic activities, study or long-term residence.
The decree will take effect on October 15.
Vietnam has become the 12th country whose citizens are eligible for visa-free entry into Russia.
Russian Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov said visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens could increase tourist arrivals, create additional jobs in the service sector and open further opportunities for developing economic ties.
He said the number of direct flights between Russia and Vietnam was growing as the flight network expanded.
The two countries currently operate 78 flights a week.
Last year alone, 20 new routes were launched to Vietnamese cities, including Da Nang, Nha Trang, Cam Ranh, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Russia's Ministry of Economic Development expects travel between the two countries to reach 1.5 million visits by the end of this year under the new rules.
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia forecasts that the number of Vietnamese tourists travelling to Russia will rise by at least 30% once the visa-free regime takes effect.
President Putin announced plans to introduce visa-free entry for Vietnamese citizens after talks with To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President of Vietnam, in early September. Based on VNS material.
Sources: Viet Nam News
