On October 12, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting visa exemption to Vietnamese citizens, effective from October 15 to October 15, 2027, according to the Russian news agency Interfax .
- Vietnamese passport holders are allowed to enter and stay in Russia for a maximum of 30 days.
- Purpose : tourism, visiting relatives, business trips, or participation in scientific, cultural, political , social, economic, and sporting events.
- The policy also allows transit and exit through Russian territory without a visa.
- The regulations do not apply to migrant workers, including journalists and students, or those coming to Russia for permanent residence.
Speaking with Tri Thức - Znews , Tran Phuong Thao, 31, living in Hanoi, shared her experience from a two-week self-guided trip to Russia in late 2025/early 2026. Thao advises travelers to carefully prepare documents, payment methods, necessary applications, and an itinerary before the trip to be more proactive.
What to do in Russia?
Moscow and Saint Petersburg are two cities that should be prioritized on your first trip to Russia.
In Moscow, visitors can visit Red Square, St. Basil's Cathedral, and the Kremlin. The square is located next to the Kremlin, near historical landmarks such as St. Basil's Cathedral, Lenin's Mausoleum, and the GUM department store.
In Saint Petersburg, the Winter Palace and Hermitage Museum are perfect for history, architecture, and art lovers. Once the residence of the Russian Tsars, the palace now houses one of the world's most renowned art collections. Palace Square, located right in front of the palace, is also a great place to explore the city's history.
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Vietnamese tourists are expected to visit the wooden architecture museum in Suzdal, stroll through the Christmas market in Red Square, and visit the Pushkin Museum in Moscow by the end of 2025. |
If you have more time, you might consider Murmansk, a city in the far north famous for its aurora viewing. The ability to observe this phenomenon depends on the weather and geomagnetic activity.
Those who love historical cities can also explore the "Golden Ring" around Moscow, which includes Vladimir, Suzdal, and Sergiev Posad.
Thao advises planning the itinerary based on the number of days to stay and the distance between points. For the first trip, travelers should focus on Moscow and Saint Petersburg to have time to visit museums, learn about architecture, and experience public transportation.
Documents
Tourists should keep their Immigration Card issued when going through immigration procedures in Russia. In Thao's experience, this document may be required when checking into a hotel and needs to be submitted upon departure.
Booking confirmations in both Russian and English should also be prepared for presentation if needed. During her trip, Thao booked her room through the ZenHotels app and saved the confirmation on her phone for use upon check-in.
▸ SIM
Tourists should research options for using a SIM card with a registered phone number, including eSIM or physical SIM cards, and consider using a VPN to access certain apps and social media platforms that are restricted in Russia.
Some public Wi-Fi systems require login using a local phone number. Having a Russian phone number also makes it easier to look up directions, find restaurants, and call taxis.
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Yandex Map displays available public transportation options and their corresponding travel times. |
▸ Application
Necessary applications should be installed and registered from Vietnam to avoid confusion once you have entered the country.
- Yandex Maps or 2GIS: Look up routes, locations, and transportation options. These apps provide information on train and bus routes; some map data can be downloaded for offline use.
- Yandex Metro: Find subway lines and choose the right route.
- Yandex Go: Book a taxi, check prices before your trip.
- Google Translate: Download the Russian language pack for offline translation of menus, signs, and basic communication support.
- Telegram: Contact several hotels, tour operators, and locals.
- ZenHotels and Trip.com: Track your booking information online.
When booking a ride through Yandex Go, travelers need to register using a Russian phone number and be at the designated pickup point. Taxis are a good option when traveling with family, young children, or for longer journeys. If you encounter difficulties booking a ride or accommodation, you can contact a Vietnamese tour guide in Russia for assistance.
Cash
Due to international sanctions, Visa and Mastercard cards issued in Vietnam are largely unusable for payments in Russia. If possible, travelers should exchange their Vietnamese rubles (RUB) at a bank or currency exchange point in advance.
Another option is to bring US dollars in cash and exchange them for rubles in Russia if needed. Currency exchange counters are available at the airport and in the city, but the exchange rates in the city center are usually better than at the airport.
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Kieskaya Station in Moscow is strikingly decorated with exquisite mosaics on the ceiling and a magnificent chandelier system. |
▸ Move
Moscow and Saint Petersburg have well-developed public transport systems, with the subway being particularly suitable for long-distance travel. The metro operates frequently, has relatively low fares, and connects many regions.
In Moscow, some train stations have elaborate, palace-like architecture and are also popular tourist attractions.
For short distances, walking allows visitors to observe the streets and architecture. If traveling with family or young children, taking a taxi via Yandex Go may be more convenient. Fares are quite reasonable for many routes, and booking through the app offers more flexibility compared to hailing a taxi directly on the street.
▸ Food and drink
Russian cuisine uses a lot of meat, bread, potatoes, and dairy products. For those accustomed to Vietnamese food, the local taste might be difficult to adapt to after a few days.
Some experienced families bring along instant noodles, instant porridge packets, dried shredded meat, and other dried foods to use when they are tired or when young children are not yet used to the local food.
Accommodation
Tourists should avoid booking hotels in the city center, near the Kremlin or the Winter Palace, as room rates are often double, and some are quite far from the metro station. If traveling in a group, renting an apartment with a kitchen will allow families to prepare breakfast and cook dinner themselves, saving money.
Apartments with kitchens are easier to find in Saint Petersburg than in Moscow. Visitors should book early, especially when traveling in groups. ZenHotels and Trip.com are two platforms you can use to find rooms and manage booking confirmations. Alternatively, travel agencies or Vietnamese people working in Russia can assist with bookings and airport transfers.
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Vietnamese tourists check in at the winter palace in Saint Petersburg amidst a snow-covered landscape at the end of 2025. |
Clothing
Tourists visiting Russia in winter need to prepare thermal clothing, down jackets, scarves, gloves, and waterproof shoes. Phuong Thao recounted that after just 15-20 minutes outdoors when the temperature dropped below 0 degrees Celsius, she felt noticeably cold. Heat patches and thermos flasks can be useful when sightseeing outdoors for extended periods.
Language
English is not widely spoken in Russia, especially among older people. Tourists should download an offline translation app and learn some basic conversational phrases beforehand. Politeness and patience will also help facilitate communication with locals.
Not all museums and attractions offer English-language explanations. Phuong Thao advises researching information about the locations on your itinerary beforehand or considering purchasing tickets with audio guides to better understand the history and exhibits.
Costs
During her two-week trip, Phuong Thao spent a total of 45 million VND, which included airfare, hotels, food, transportation, and shopping.
She visited many museums, saw ballet performances, classical concerts featuring Mozart's works, and ate at restaurants every day. Based on experience, planning early and booking tickets in advance can help save money.
"In two weeks, I traveled through four cities: Moscow, Saint Petersburg, Suzdal, and Vladimir. For me, Russia was like 'another planet' with many memorable experiences," she said.
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Russia is covered in snow during the winter, attracting tourists to visit. |
