Mr. Frederick Earnest reports

VISTA GOLD CORP. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER FINANCIAL RESULTS

Vista Gold Corp. has released its unaudited financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. Management's quarterly conference call to discuss these results is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. MDT on May 4, 2018. The company's unaudited financial statements, management's discussion and analysis, together with other important disclosures, can be found in the company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q, filed on April 27, 2018, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

Summary of Q1 2018 financial results

The company reported a net loss of $900,000 or one cent per share for the three-month period ended March 31, 2018. This includes $3.1-million of operating expenses, a $2.0-million mark-to-market gain on the company's investment in Midas Gold Corp. and other income of $200,000.

Vista Gold's working capital at March 31, 2018, totalled approximately $18.6-million, including cash and short-term investments (comprising government securities) of approximately $13.3-million. The company currently has no debt.

Frederick H. Earnest, president and chief executive officer, commented: "In the first quarter, we announced the achievement of two important milestones for the Mt. Todd gold project. The approval of the authorization required under the Australian Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Protection Act marks the successful conclusion of several years of environmental permitting work. The updated preliminary feasibility study results demonstrate the significant positive impact of the technical programs that were completed during the preceding 18 months. We are now undertaking optimization studies which we expect to complete over the next two quarters."

Management conference call

A conference call with management to review the company's financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, and to discuss corporate and project activities, is scheduled for Friday, May 4, 2018, at 10:30 a.m. MDT.

Participant toll-free:  844-898-8648

International:  647-689-4225

Conference ID:  7285669

This call will also be webcast.

This call will be archived and available at the company's website after May 4, 2018. Audio replay will be available for 21 days by calling 855-859-2056 toll-free in North America, passcode 7285669.

If you are unable to access the audio or phone in on the day of the conference call, please e-mail questions to Connie Martinez, manager, investor relations (connie@vistagold.com), and the company will try to address these questions prior to or during the conference call.

All dollar amounts in this press release are in U.S. dollars.

About Vista Gold Corp.

The company is a well-financed gold project developer. Its principal asset is its flagship Mt. Todd gold project in Northern Territory, Australia. Mt. Todd is the largest undeveloped gold project in Australia.

We seek Safe Harbor.