Vavilov is a prominent impact crater that is located to the west of the walled plain Hertzsprung.

Just outside the rim is a shadowed area, with the rays beginning about one-third of a crater diameter distant.

Vavilov is a well-defined feature that has undergone a minimum of erosion due to subsequent impacts.

The interior floor is roughly level, with a central ridge offset to the west of the midpoint, and some low hills in the southeast.

By convention these features are identified on lunar maps by placing the letter on the side of the crater midpoint that is closest to Vavilov.