Russia to simplify visa procedures for 6 countries including Vietnam

"We are working on draft inter-government agreements that imply mutual simplification of visa regimes with Angola, India, Vietnam, Indonesia, Syria and the Philippines," Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Yevgeny Ivanov said, according to the Tass news agency.

He added that Russia is working on agreements on visa-free travel with 11 countries - Bahrain, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Haiti, Zambia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago.

A Russia tourist visa, which offers a maximum stay of 30 days, is required for Vietnamese citizens. Meanwhile, Vietnam offers a 15-day visa exemption for Russian tourists.

Last year, Vietnamese officials proposed the Russian government consider a 15-day visa exemption for tourists from Vietnam to boost travel.

Vietnam and Russia established diplomatic relations in 1950 and upgraded ties to a strategic partnership in 2001. Eleven years later, the two countries established a comprehensive strategic partnership.