The paper analyzes the scope of Vietnam's contemporary migration potential and the factors shaping it. The main types of exit flows, their directions, pushing and attracting factors in the areas of departure and arrival of migrants are considered. The authors characterize labor and academic emigration as main types and economically developed countries of Asia, as well as the countries of the Persian Gulf, Europe, and North America as core directions. Particular attention is paid to the characteristics of Vietnamese migration to Russia at the present stage. The paper concludes that Russian labor market occupies extremely modest place in migration intentions of the Vietnamese and in various migration flows from Vietnam. In conclusion, some recommendations are offered on possible ways to improve Russian migration policy in order to strengthen ties with Vietnam.