From January 1 next year, Vietnam will grant visas exemptions to Russians who have valid passports, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced. According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism, the number of Russian tourists visiting Vietnam is increasing strongly. Vietnam will be the third Southeast Asian country, after Thailand and Laos, to grant visa exemptions to Russian citizens who enter for tourism purposes. To be granted a visa exemption to stay in Vietnam for 15 days or less, Russian visitors must have a valid passport and a return or onward ticket. For stays longer than 15 days, Russian tourists can apply for to the Ministry of Public Security or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for a visa extension.
