Russia considers easing visa rules to attract Vietnamese tourists

Vietnam is a fast-growing economy with a large population and an expanding group of middle-income earners, which is driving strong demand for travel, Reshetnikov said.

Russia is ready to expand and adjust entry mechanisms for Vietnamese visitors, including the possibility of visa-free travel for tour groups, he added.

Currently, about 15,000 Vietnamese tourists visit Russia each year, compared with around 600,000 Russian visitors traveling to Vietnam annually.

To narrow the gap, Russia plans to step up promotion in the Southeast Asian market through its 'Discover Russia' project, a government initiative aimed at showcasing the country’s destinations and attracting more foreign visitors through coordinated marketing campaigns and international tourism events.

International tourist arrivals to Russia rose 12 percent in 2025.

Since 2024, Russian regions have been promoted overseas under the unified 'Discover Russia' tourism brand.