Yes you can compile for Linux.
Here’s how you compile in Linux:
And how you compile for Linux: A new, community-hosted Unreal Engine Wiki - Announcements - Unreal Engine Forums
Documentation:
Regarding VC++, I’m afraid I can’t help you with that, I believe you can’t get rid of the extended tools of VC++ over C++.
The thing here is that the editor, tool that is fundamental for the development, runs in either Mac or Windows. But, you can compile from and for Linux.