FIELD: industrial organic synthesis. SUBSTANCE: process is carried out in two reaction zones. In the first one, gaseous raw material containing ethylene and/or ethane and optionally water steam is brought into contact with molecular oxygen-containing gas in presence of catalyst capable of efficiently oxidizing ethylene and/or ethane into acetic acid. The first reaction zone product contains acetic acid, water, unreacted ethylene and/or ethylene formed as byproduct, optionally ethane, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and/or nitrogen. A part of this product enters the second reaction zone to react with molecular oxygen-containing gas in presence of catalyst capable of efficiently producing vinyl acetate. The second-zone product contains vinyl acetate, water, acetic acid, and optionally ethylene, which is separated by distillation into top azeotropic fraction, including vinyl acetate and water, and bottom fraction containing acetic acid. Further, either acetic acid is recovered from bottom fraction or vinyl acetate from azeotropic fraction, or acetic acid and vinyl acetate are isolated simultaneously. After separation of water from azeotropic fraction, residual part of fraction is redistilled together with second-zone product. EFFECT: simplified technology at preserved high purity of products. 14 cl, 1 dwg
