Vietnam Visa for Russia Citizens (2026): Complete Guide

Russian passport holders have a significant advantage in Vietnam: a 45-day visa-free stay. I use it for quick trips to Bangkok or Hong Kong from my Da Nang base. But for a proper relocation or a longer exploration, you’ll need a visa. The rules are straightforward if you follow the official process, but the bureaucracy has sharp edges.

Overview

Vietnam’s visa policy for Russians is among the most liberal in Southeast Asia. The 45-day visa exemption is a legacy of long-standing ties. For anything longer, the 90-day e-visa is the default tool. There is no official “digital nomad” visa. I’ve watched many arrivals at Da Nang International Airport get tripped up by assuming the visa-free period is for any type of travel; it’s strictly for tourism. If you plan to study, work, or even attend a business meeting, you need a visa with the correct purpose stated.

Visa-Free Entry

You can enter Vietnam without any prior paperwork and stay for 45 consecutive days. This is perfect for a long holiday from Moscow to the beaches of Nha Trang or the streets of Hanoi’s Old Quarter. The clock starts the day you enter and doesn’t reset with a border hop. Once the 45 days are up, you must leave the country. The critical rule is you cannot convert this visa-free entry into any other type of visa from within Vietnam. You must exit and apply for an e-visa or embassy visa from abroad. I’ve met Russians in An Thượng, Da Nang’s expat district, who didn’t plan ahead and had to make a costly last-minute flight to Cambodia to restart the process.

E-Visa Application

The e-visa is a single-entry, 90-day visa obtained online. It’s valid at all international airports, many land borders, and seaports. The only official website is evisa.xuatnhapcanh.gov.vn. Any other site is a third-party agent charging a markup. The application is in English. You’ll need a digital passport photo and a scan of your passport data page. The form asks for your entry/exit dates and port, and a temporary address in Vietnam—use your first hotel’s details. Double-check every character. A single typo, like a misplaced digit in your passport number, will get your application denied without a refund. The process took me about 20 minutes of focused attention.

Documents & Requirements

For the e-visa, you need two digital files. First, a portrait photo (4x6 cm, white background, no glasses, looking straight). Second, a full-page scan of your passport’s biographical page. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your entry date and have at least two blank pages. For the visa-free entry, you only need the valid passport. Immigration officers may ask for proof of onward travel (a flight ticket out of Vietnam) and proof of accommodation, though I’m rarely asked in Da Nang. Have them ready. If you’re applying for a longer-term business visa through a sponsor, they will handle the paperwork, but you’ll still need notarized and legalized copies of your degree and criminal background check from Russia—a process that can take weeks.

Typical Processing & Costs

The government fee for a single-entry, 90-day e-visa is $25. Payment is made by credit or debit card on the official portal. Standard processing is 3 working days. You can pay an extra $10 for “expedited” 2-day processing, but I’ve found it unreliable. Plan for the full 3 days and apply at least a week before your trip. Never assume it will be ready in 24 hours. If you use an agent—common for more complex visas like 1-year business visas—costs jump significantly for their service.

Visa Type	Max Stay	Approx. Cost	Processing Time
Visa-Free	45 days	$0	None
E-Visa	90 days	$25	3 working days
1-Year Business (via Agent)	1 year	$500-$800	2-3 weeks

Extending Your Stay

You cannot extend a 45-day visa-free stamp or a standard 90-day e-visa. The only legal way to stay longer is to leave and re-enter. This is called a “visa run.” From Da Nang, the common routes are a flight to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, or Singapore, and then flying back. You can re-enter immediately on a new visa-free 45 days or with a new e-visa. However, immigration officers may question you if you have a pattern of consecutive visa runs. Staying out for at least a week is advisable. For longer-term stability, you need a sponsored visa, like a business visa obtained through a Vietnamese company you work for or invest in.

Digital Nomad & Long-Term Options

There is no dedicated digital nomad visa. Many remote workers live here on a series of e-visas or visa-free entries, doing border runs. This is a gray area. Technically, working online for a foreign company on a tourist visa is a violation, but it’s rarely enforced if you keep a low profile. The real solution is a sponsored visa. If you secure a job with a Vietnamese company, they will sponsor a work permit and a temporary residence card (TRC). Alternatively, investing in a business or marrying a Vietnamese national opens pathways to longer-term status. These processes are complex, require a good local lawyer, and cost from $500 to several thousand dollars.

Common Pitfalls

The biggest mistake is overstaying. The fine is about $25 per day, and you’ll be flagged in the system, complicating future entries. Always track your exit date. Second is using a fraudulent e-visa website. I know a guy who paid $80 to a slick-looking site that delivered a fake PDF; he was denied boarding in Moscow. Only use the .gov.vn site. Third is assuming you can change visa types in-country. You can’t. If you enter visa-free and get a job offer, you must leave to get the correct visa. Finally, passport damage matters. If your passport is torn or water-damaged, you may be denied entry even with a valid visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long can Russians stay in Vietnam without a visa?

45 consecutive days for tourism purposes only. This period cannot be extended from within Vietnam.

Do I need a visa to visit Da Nang from Russia?

For visits under 45 days, no. Just fly into Da Nang International Airport with your passport. For longer stays, you need an e-visa or other visa before arrival.

Can I extend a Vietnamese e-visa from inside Vietnam?

No. The 90-day e-visa is non-extendable. You must leave the country before it expires and apply for a new one to re-enter.

What’s the cost of a Vietnam e-visa for Russian citizens?

The official government fee is $25 for a single-entry, 90-day e-visa. Any higher price is from a third-party agent charging a service fee.

Which documents do I need for a Vietnamese e-visa?

You need a digital passport-style photo (4x6 cm, white background) and a scanned copy of your passport’s biographical page. Your passport must be valid for over six months.

Can I work remotely on a Vietnam tourist visa or visa-free entry?

Legally, no. Vietnamese law requires a work permit for any employment, including remote work for a foreign entity. Enforcement is inconsistent, but it carries risk. For long-term remote work, a business visa sponsored by a local entity is the compliant solution.

Is the Vietnam e-visa valid for multiple entries?

No. The standard e-visa for Russian citizens is single-entry only. If you leave Vietnam during its validity period, it becomes invalid. You would need a new e-visa to return.

What happens if my Vietnam e-visa application is rejected?

The $25 fee is non-refundable. You must correct the error (often a photo or data mismatch) and submit a new application with a new payment.

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Disclaimer: Visa regulations change. The information here is based on the rules as of early 2026 and my personal experience. Always confirm the latest requirements with the Vietnam Immigration Department or the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia before finalizing travel plans. For maintaining secure internet access across different networks in Vietnam, using a reliable VPN is essential; you can find a detailed analysis of options in our guide at /best-vpn-for-vietnam-2026/.