Bringing Pets to Vietnam

Vietnam is generally pet-friendly to import — no quarantine for cats and dogs from most countries, provided you complete the rabies vaccination and titer schedule on time. The process is straightforward but front-loaded: plan 3–6 months ahead of departure.

Rules current as of 2026-05-17. Confirm with the Vietnamese Department of Animal Health and your home-country agriculture authority before booking flights.

What's allowed

• Cats and dogs are routinely allowed.
• Birds — case-by-case, often refused.
• Reptiles, ferrets, rabbits — case-by-case; CITES restrictions for some species.
• Banned: certain dog breeds (Pit Bull, Bull Terrier mix, some others — list updated periodically).

The rabies schedule (the long-lead step)

For dogs and cats from most countries:

1. Microchip — ISO 11784/11785 compatible. Implant first.
2. Rabies vaccination — at least 30 days before the rabies titer blood draw.
3. Rabies titer test (FAVN or RFFIT) — drawn at minimum 30 days after vaccination, sent to an OIE-approved lab. Result must be ≥0.5 IU/ml.
4. Wait period — different countries have different waits between titer result and entry. Vietnam currently has no formal waiting period after a clean titer, but most airlines require evidence the titer was drawn at least 30 days before flight.
5. Routine vaccinations must be current — DHPP for dogs, FVRCP for cats.
6. Veterinary health certificate — issued within 10 days of travel by a USDA / DEFRA / equivalent accredited vet, signed and stamped.
7. Government endorsement — health certificate endorsed by the home-country agriculture authority (USDA APHIS in the US, APHA in the UK, etc.) within 10 days of travel.

The titer test is the single longest-lead item — total time from microchip to ready-to-fly: at least 3 months, often 4–6 months.

Documents to carry

Document	Notes
Microchip certificate	Or vet record of implantation
Rabies vaccination record	Showing date administered, vaccine batch
Rabies titer result	From OIE-approved lab
Routine vaccination records	DHPP, FVRCP, current
Veterinary health certificate	Within 10 days of travel, signed
Government endorsement	Within 10 days of travel
Import permit from Vietnam	See below

Vietnam import permit

You must obtain an import permit from the Department of Animal Health before arrival:

• Apply via your shipping/relocation agency or directly via the Sub-Department of Animal Health (Chi cục Thú y) at your arrival airport.
• Documents: pet's vaccination record, rabies titer, microchip info, your visa/TRC, declaration of intended residence.
• Issued in 5–10 business days.
• Valid 30 days from issue — time the application carefully.

Airlines that accept pets to Vietnam

• Cargo (most common): KLM-Air France, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, Emirates, Qatar Airways.
• Vietnam Airlines accepts pets in cargo on direct flights.
• In-cabin (small pets in carriers under 8kg) — limited to specific airlines and routes; check before booking.

Crate requirements: IATA-compliant (size, ventilation, secure latches, leak-proof, food/water bowls). Crate suppliers in HCMC and Hanoi exist for owners arriving without one.

Costs

Item	Cost (USD)
Microchip	$30–60
Rabies vaccination	$25–50
Rabies titer test	$150–250
Routine vaccinations	$50–150
Vet health certificate	$50–150
Government endorsement	$40–120
IATA-compliant crate	$80–300
Pet relocation agency (optional, recommended)	$1,000–3,000 per pet
Airline cargo fee (medium dog Europe → HCMC)	$1,500–3,000
Vietnam import permit	$30–50
Total — DIY	$2,000–4,500
Total — via relocation agency	$3,500–6,500

On arrival

Your pet clears at the airport's cargo terminal. The Vietnamese veterinary inspector checks documents and conducts a brief physical inspection. Process typically takes 1–3 hours from aircraft arrival. No quarantine for compliant pets.

Pet life in Vietnam

• Vets: Multiple international-standard clinics in HCMC (Animal Doctors International, Saigon Pet Clinic) and Hanoi (Animal Care Hanoi, Hanoi Pet Hospital). Costs ~30–60% of Western prices.
• Dog food: International brands (Royal Canin, Hill's, Pro Plan) available; pricier than home country. Local kibble cheaper but quality varies.
• Parks: HCMC's Tao Đàn and 23/9 parks allow dogs on leash. Hanoi's Cầu Giấy Park and West Lake paths are dog-friendly. Many apartment complexes have pet rules.
• Heat: Vietnam's summer is hard on dogs, especially flat-faced breeds. AC apartments and walking at dawn/dusk are mandatory.
• Dengue / heartworm: Mosquitoes are constant. Monthly heartworm prevention essential.
• Boarding: International pet hotels in HCMC and Hanoi for trips away.

Repatriation considerations

If you'll leave Vietnam later, you need to plan the reverse journey — UK pet import requires its own pre-arrival paperwork window, US re-entry has CDC-specific rules (especially for dogs since 2024). Start planning at least 3 months before departure. See repatriation.

Honest take

Bringing a pet to Vietnam is genuinely doable and worth it for many. The 3–6 month planning window is the main constraint — start the microchip and rabies vaccination cycle as soon as you know you're moving. Pet relocation agencies (PetRelocation.com, Pets Worldwide, etc.) are expensive but worth it for first-timers; they handle paperwork that's painful to do yourself.

The dogs and cats already in Vietnam mostly thrive — climate adjustment aside.