Bringing Pets to Vietnam 2026: Import Requirements, Quarantine Rules, and the Relocation Checklist

What this guide covers

Answer-first: This guide maps the practical procedures for bringing pets into Vietnam as of 2026: - Import requirements: Health certificates, vaccinations, documentation - Quarantine rules: When it applies, duration, facilities - Airline logistics: Booking pet transport, crate requirements, routing - Upon arrival: Customs clearance, registration, local compliance

This guide maps the practical procedures for bringing pets into Vietnam as of 2026:

• Import requirements: Health certificates, vaccinations, documentation
• Quarantine rules: When it applies, duration, facilities
• Airline logistics: Booking pet transport, crate requirements, routing
• Upon arrival: Customs clearance, registration, local compliance

What it does not cover: exporting pets from Vietnam, commercial breeding/import, or wildlife/exotic species (which have separate, stricter regulations).

Sources: Vietnam Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Circular 13/2020/TT-BNNPTNT, Department of Animal Health import guidelines, airline pet transport policies as reported April 2026.

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Sarah Jenkins

Expat Relocation Specialist, LeaseInVietnam

Who Can Import Pets

Eligible importers

• Foreigners relocating to Vietnam (work, retirement, family)
• Vietnamese citizens returning from abroad
• Diplomatic personnel

Pet eligibility

Quantity limits:

• Generally 1–2 pets per person without commercial import designation
• More requires justification and possible commercial import procedures

Pre-Departure Requirements

Timeline: Start 3–4 months before travel

Month 1: Microchip and vaccinations

Microchip:

• ISO 11784/11785 compliant 15-digit microchip
• Must be implanted before rabies vaccination
• Record chip number on all documents

Rabies vaccination:

• Must be administered after microchip implantation
• Minimum 30 days before travel (preferably 3–6 months)
• Valid for 1–3 years depending on vaccine type
• Must be valid (not expired) at time of travel

Other vaccinations (recommended):

• Dogs: Distemper, Hepatitis, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis (DHLPP)
• Cats: Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Panleukopenia (FVRCP)
• Optional: Kennel cough (Bordetella) for dogs

Month 2: Health certificates and blood tests

Health certificate (Veterinary Health Certificate for Export):

• Issued by licensed veterinarian in origin country
• Must be within 7–14 days of travel (varies by airline/country)
• Confirms pet healthy, free of contagious diseases
• Includes vaccination records, microchip number

Rabies titer test (FAVN test):

• Required for: Pets from countries with high rabies risk
• Optional but recommended: All pets (smooths entry process)
• Blood drawn by vet, sent to approved lab
• Results take 3–4 weeks
• Titers ≥0.5 IU/ml considered protective
• Valid for pet’s lifetime (if rabies vaccination kept current)

Month 3: Government endorsements

USDA/CFIA/DEFRA endorsement (or equivalent):

• Health certificate must be endorsed by national veterinary authority
• US: USDA APHIS Veterinary Services
• Canada: CFIA
• UK: DEFRA
• EU: Official veterinarian
• Australia: Department of Agriculture

Process:

• Vet completes health certificate
• Send to USDA/state office for endorsement
• Usually 3–5 business days
• Some offices require appointments

Week of travel

• Final health check (within 7 days)
• Confirm all documents in order
• Verify airline booking for pet
• Prepare travel crate
• Pre-travel fasting (as vet advises)

Airline Transport: Booking and Logistics

Cabin vs. Cargo vs. Checked Baggage

Vietnam arrival considerations:

• SGN (Tan Son Nhat) and HAN (Noi Bai) have animal quarantine facilities
• Direct flights preferred (less handling, shorter journey)
• Avoid connections in countries with stricter pet protocols if possible

Airline policies for Vietnam routes

Pet-friendly airlines (Vietnam routes):

• Korean Air (good for connections)
• Asiana
• Singapore Airlines (restrictions apply)
• EVA Air
• Cathay Pacific
• Vietnam Airlines (cargo only for pets)

Airlines that don’t accept pets (cargo restrictions):

• Many budget carriers (AirAsia, VietJet for international)
• Some suspend pet transport seasonally

Always verify:

• Current pet policy (changes frequently)
• Route-specific restrictions
• Temperature embargoes (summer heat limits)

Booking process

1. Book human ticket first
2. Call airline to add pet (cannot book online usually)
3. Confirm:
   • Space available (pet quotas per flight)
   • Crate size acceptable
   • Route allows pets
   • Connection time adequate for pet transfer
4. Get confirmation number for pet booking
5. Arrive early at airport (3+ hours for international)

Travel Crate Requirements

International Air Transport Association (IATA) standards

• Rigid plastic or wooden crate
• Proper ventilation on all sides
• Secure locking mechanism (not twist-lock only)
• Absorbent bedding (no straw, hay)
• Food/water bowls attached inside (refillable from outside)
• “Live Animal” stickers and arrows
• Pet identification on crate

Size requirements

• Pet can stand up without touching top
• Can turn around comfortably
• Can lie down in natural position
• Snub-nosed breeds need larger crates (50% larger recommended)

Crate training (essential)

• Start 2–4 weeks before travel
• Make crate positive space (treats, meals inside)
• Gradual increase in time inside
• Practice car rides in crate
• Never use crate as punishment

Arrival in Vietnam: Customs and Quarantine

At the airport (SGN/HAN)

Process:

1. Human clears immigration first
2. Go to baggage claim
3. Collect pet at oversized baggage/ animal handling area
4. Proceed to Animal Quarantine checkpoint

Animal Quarantine inspection:

• Officer checks:
  • Microchip (scanned)
  • Health certificate (original)
  • Vaccination records
  • Rabies titer results (if applicable)
  • Your passport/visa

If all documents valid:

• Pet released immediately (no quarantine for most countries)
• You receive quarantine clearance document
• Keep this document

If documents incomplete:

• Pet held at quarantine facility
• You may need to complete paperwork
• Possible fines
• Extended quarantine (up to 30 days in worst cases)

Quarantine scenarios

Current Vietnam policy (2026):

• Pets from most developed countries: No quarantine with proper documentation
• Pets from high-risk countries: 30-day facility quarantine
• Rabies titer test reduces quarantine requirements

Post-Arrival Requirements

Registration (not mandatory but recommended)

Local veterinary registration:

• Not legally required nationally
• Some provinces require local pet registration
• Saigon Pet Clinic, International Pet Hospital can advise

Ongoing compliance

• Keep rabies vaccination current (annual boosters)
• Maintain health records
• Consider local pet insurance (Vietnam Pet Care, PVI)

Pet-friendly housing considerations

Challenge: Many rentals don’t allow pets or have restrictions Solutions:

• Disclose upfront in rental applications
• Offer pet deposit (1 month rent common)
• Provide pet resume (vaccination records, training certificates)
• Consider serviced apartments (often more pet-friendly)
• Districts 2, 7, and Binh Thanh have more pet-friendly options

Costs Summary

Pre-departure costs (USD)

Arrival costs (USD)

One-Page Control List

Vietnam Pet Resources

International-standard veterinary clinics

Ho Chi Minh City:

• Saigon Pet Clinic (Thao Dien) - English-speaking
• International Pet Hospital (District 7)
• FV Hospital Pet Clinic (District 7)
• VetCare (Multiple locations)

Hanoi:

• Animal Doctors International
• Hanoi Pet Clinic
• International Vet Clinic Hanoi

Pet supply stores

• Pet Mart (chain, multiple locations)
• Pet City
• Online: Lazada, Shopee (pet sections)
• Specialty: Western pet foods available at international markets

Pet transport services

• Professional pet relocation companies (PetRelocation, Starwood)
• Local agents can handle customs clearance
• Cost: $300–800 for full service

Emergency Protocols

If pet stopped at entry

1. Stay calm - Most issues are solvable
2. Contact airline - They have animal handlers
3. Request translator - Immigration has English speakers
4. Call Vietnamese embassy in origin country - They can liaise
5. Have local contact ready - Pet transport agent or vet

If documents rejected

• Don’t argue with officers
• Ask for written explanation of deficiency
• Determine if issue is fixable on-site or requires delay
• Consider emergency quarantine (better than return journey)

24-hour emergency vets

HCMC:

• Saigon Pet Clinic: 028-3519-4015
• FV Hospital Pet Clinic: 028-3520-3333

Hanoi:

• Animal Doctors International: 024-3719-1919

2026 Policy Watch Items

• Rabies-free status lobbying: Vietnam working toward international rabies-free certification (affects import rules)
• Digital pet passports: Some countries piloting digital systems (may streamline process)
• Airline policy changes: Post-pandemic, some airlines resuming or expanding pet transport
• Quarantine facility improvements: SGN and HAN upgrading animal holding facilities
• Local pet regulations: Some Vietnamese provinces tightening pet ownership rules (registration, breeding)