Vietnam to Russian Federation visa requirements

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a visa to enter Russia for tourism, but they qualify for Russia's unified electronic visa (e-visa) applied online in advance. There is no visa-free channel for ordinary Vietnamese passports. As of mid-2026, a Vietnam (VN) ordinary passport holder cannot enter Russia (RU) without a visa for tourism. However, Vietnam is on the Russian Government's approved list of countries eligible for the unified electronic visa (e-visa), so most short tourist trips can be handled entirely online without visiting a consulate. The unified e-visa is applied for on the official MFA portal (evisa.kdmid.ru), costs USD 52 (free for children under 6), is processed in up to 4 calendar days, and is valid for 120 days from issuance with a single entry and a maximum stay of 30 days. It permits tourism, private/business visits, and participation in cultural, sporting, scientific and similar events, and allows free movement throughout Russia via designated air, land, rail and sea checkpoints. Russia is NOT part of the Schengen area, so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. The 45-day visa exemption announced in 2025 applies only to RUSSIAN citizens visiting Vietnam (and to Vietnamese diplomatic/service passport holders visiting Russia) - it does not cover ordinary Vietnamese passport holders. Travelers needing a stay longer than 30 days, multiple entries, or work/study must obtain a traditional visa through a Russian consulate with an official invitation. Verdict: e-visa for short tourist stays; conservative default to visa-required for longer or non-tourist trips.