Many expats bring their dogs and cats to Vietnam, and the import rules are simpler than in many countries. There is no mandatory quarantine and no rabies antibody test for entry, as long as your paperwork is correct. The harder parts are usually finding a suitable flight, getting the timing of the documents right, and finding pet-friendly housing once you arrive.
Does Vietnam Require Pet Quarantine?
No. Vietnam does not require quarantine for pet dogs and cats that arrive with complete and valid documents. Your pet is checked by the animal health officers at the airport and released to you, usually within a few hours.
Pets travelling with their owner, up to two per person, need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an official health certificate from the country of departure. Vietnam does not require a rabies antibody (titer) test. If documents are missing or invalid, or the animal appears unwell, it can be held for testing or isolation at your cost, so getting the paperwork right is what matters.
How Far in Advance Should I Start?
Start planning at least two to three months before your move. The rabies vaccination must be given at least 30 days before arrival, and after the microchip, so a pet that needs a new vaccination needs more time. Young animals must be old enough to be vaccinated and complete the 30-day wait, so in practice puppies and kittens should be at least four months old. The health certificate is the final step, issued in the days just before you fly. If you plan to take your pet on to Europe or the UK later, start earlier still (see below).
What Documents Does My Pet Need to Enter Vietnam?
All pets entering Vietnam need a complete set of documents:
- An ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip: This must be implanted before or on the same day as the rabies vaccination, and the number must match on every document.
- A valid rabies vaccination: Given at least 30 days before arrival and within the last 12 months, after the microchip was implanted.
- An official health certificate: Issued by a veterinarian in your country of departure, endorsed by the government veterinary authority, and dated within about 10 days of arrival.
- An import declaration: A declaration for animal quarantine, submitted to the regional animal health office a few days before you land, or presented on arrival.
- An IATA-compliant travel crate: For pets travelling in the hold or as cargo, large enough for your pet to stand, turn around and lie down comfortably.
Bringing Pets to Vietnam from the US
For pets leaving the United States, the health certificate must be completed by a USDA-accredited veterinarian and endorsed by USDA APHIS, usually through its online system. Plan the timing carefully so the endorsement is back before you fly and the certificate is still valid on arrival. There are few direct flights, and Vietnam Airlines doesn’t accept dogs on its US routes, so most pets travel via a hub in Asia or with a pet relocation company. Check the pet rules for every airline and transit airport on your route.
Bringing Pets to Vietnam from Canada
Canadian owners can use a licensed veterinarian to complete the health certificate, which must then be endorsed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). Book the endorsement appointment early, as timing is tight. Pets usually travel via a hub in Asia, so check the transit rules for every stop on your route.
Bringing Pets to Vietnam from the UK
Pets leaving the UK need an Export Health Certificate (EHC) for Vietnam, completed by an Official Veterinarian and issued through the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). Apply well in advance, as the process involves several steps. Some airlines only carry pets from the UK as cargo, so most pets travel with a specialist pet transport company. If you plan to bring your pet back to the UK later, see the note on returning under “Veterinary Care Once You Arrive”.
How Can My Pet Travel to Vietnam?
There are four main ways to travel, depending on your pet’s size, your route and your budget:
In-cabin: Some airlines allow small dogs and cats in the cabin, under the seat in front of you. Vietnam Airlines, for example, allows a pet and carrier of up to 6 kg in total on many routes. Book early, as each flight has a limit on the number of pets.
As checked baggage: Larger pets can travel in the pressurised hold on the same flight as you. On Vietnam Airlines, the pet and crate can weigh up to 32 kg together on many routes.
As cargo: Required for larger animals, some routes and pets travelling without their owner. Cargo shipments are usually arranged by a pet relocation company, and may need an import permit in advance.
With a pet relocation company: A specialist company can handle the paperwork, flights, customs clearance and delivery to your door. It costs more, but it takes the risk out of complicated routes.
Are There Breed Restrictions for Vietnam?
Vietnam has no national ban on specific dog breeds. But many airlines refuse, or restrict, snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds in the hold because of the risk of breathing problems, especially in hot weather. These commonly include:
- Bulldogs and French Bulldogs
- Pugs
- Boxers
- Shih Tzus
- Boston Terriers
- Persian and other flat-faced cats
Heat is a real risk: Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam are hot all year. Avoid flights that land in the middle of the day, and talk to your vet about how your pet will cope with the climate.
Building rules: Many apartment buildings restrict pets, or only allow small ones. Check the building’s rules and get permission in your lease before you sign.
What Happens When My Pet Arrives in Vietnam?
Submit your import declaration with copies of your pet’s documents to the regional animal health office at your arrival airport, ideally a few days before you land. The main arrival airports for pets are Tan Son Nhat (Ho Chi Minh City), Noi Bai (Hanoi) and Da Nang.
After immigration, you’ll go to the animal health desk. The officer scans the microchip and checks your documents against it. If everything is in order, you receive a Vietnamese quarantine certificate and your pet is released. Pets arriving as cargo are cleared through the cargo terminal, usually by your pet relocation company.
Once you’ve settled in, find a local vet and keep your pet’s rabies vaccination up to date every year, as required in Vietnam.
Veterinary Care Once You Arrive
Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi and Da Nang have international veterinary clinics with English-speaking vets, as well as many local clinics that cost much less. Routine care is affordable compared to North America and Europe.
Tropical health risks: Rabies is still present in Vietnam, and heartworm, ticks and tick-borne diseases are common. Keep rabies vaccinations up to date and use year-round parasite and heartworm prevention. Heatstroke is a risk too, so walk dogs early in the morning or in the evening.
Returning to Europe or the UK: Vietnam is not on the EU’s list of approved countries, so to bring your pet into the EU or the UK later, it will need a rabies antibody (titer) blood test, followed by a waiting period of three months before travel. You can do the test in Vietnam, but it takes time, so plan ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions: Relocating Pets to Vietnam
Does Vietnam require quarantine for healthy pets?
No. Pets with a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an endorsed health certificate are checked at the airport and released, usually the same day.
What is the minimum age for a puppy or kitten to enter Vietnam?
In practice, about four months, since your pet must be old enough to receive a rabies vaccination and then wait 30 days before arrival.
Does Vietnam accept a 3-year rabies vaccine?
Vietnam generally expects the rabies vaccination to have been given within the last 12 months, so ask your vet about a booster if your pet’s vaccination is older.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to enter Vietnam?
No. But if you plan to take your pet to the EU or the UK later, it will need one, followed by a three-month wait.
How many pets can I bring to Vietnam?
Up to two pets per person travelling with you can usually enter with a simple declaration. More pets, or pets travelling as cargo, may need an import permit in advance.
Can my pet fly in the cabin to Vietnam?
On some airlines and routes, yes. Vietnam Airlines, for example, allows a pet and carrier of up to 6 kg in total in the cabin on many routes. Check each airline’s rules before you book.
Are pets allowed in rented apartments in Vietnam?
It depends on the building and the landlord. Many buildings restrict pets, so confirm the rules and get permission in writing in your lease.