Travelling with Your Pet in Vietnam: The Complete Guide for International Travellers

Overview

Vietnam is opening its doors wider than ever to four-legged travellers. Once a destination where bringing a pet felt like a logistical puzzle, the country is steadily transforming into a more welcoming place for dogs, cats, and the people who love them. Urban centres like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi now boast pet-friendly cafés, dedicated dog parks, and a growing number of hotels that happily accept furry guests. Ride-hailing giant Grab even began piloting a pet-friendly car service in Ho Chi Minh City in early 2026, signalling just how far the country has come.

That said, travelling with a pet in Vietnam still requires preparation. Regulations exist, transport options vary, and cultural attitudes toward animals can differ from what you may be used to at home. You must take into account the stark differences of a tropical monsoon climate (characterized by high heat and extreme humidity), a public transportation infrastructure that is not yet fully optimized for pets, and stringent import quarantine regulations designed to prevent infectious diseases like rabies. To ensure a smooth, safe, and joyful journey for both you and your pet, this article has been compiled as a comprehensive guide. We will walk you through official entry regulations, customs procedures, insights on choosing the best transportation options (including professional relocation services), as well as practical tips for finding pet-friendly accommodations, managing veterinary healthcare, and navigating the export procedures when leaving Vietnam. This guide covers everything you need to know: from pre-travel paperwork and border procedures to getting around, finding accommodation, and keeping your pet healthy in Vietnam's tropical climate.

Before You Travel: Rules and Requirements

Official import regulations for pets of Vietnam

Bringing pets (especially dogs and cats) into Vietnam isn't too complicated if you prepare all the necessary documents as required by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD). This process requires preparation 1 to 3 months before departure.

Under Article 10 of Circular No. 25/2016/TT-BNNPTNT (Circular 25) of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Vietnam), a foreign national entering Vietnam may bring up to two animals for the purpose of keeping them as household pets, provided the animals are not included in the list of animals prohibited from import. Howerver, all pets imported into Viet Nam are subject to animal quarantine upon entry. Quarantine requirements generally include:

• Presentation of a veterinary certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country.
• Clinical examination of the animal upon arrival.
• Vaccination if the animal has not been vaccinated against dangerous infectious diseases.
• Sample collection and testing if the animal shows signs of suspected infectious disease.

You can check the list of animals and plants listed in the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Animals and Plants - that is, those prohibited from import into Vietnam at here.

Commonly required documents

Microchip registration information to ensure identification and tracking: Although Vietnamese law does not mandate 100% microchip implantation for all incoming pets, this is an international standard (especially according to IATA regulations for aviation). Microchips must conform to ISO 11784 or 11785 standards (consisting of 15 digits). Please note that microchips must be implanted in pets BEFORE/AT time of rabies vaccination.

Proof of up-to-date vaccinations, particularly rabies, to meet Vietnamese import standards: Pets are required to be vaccinated against rabies. This vaccination must be given at least 30 days before entering Vietnam and no more than 12 months prior to the date of entry. Other common disease vaccines are also "recommended" (depending on the type of pet you bring), though not always strictly mandatory in Vietnam's import rules. This is a strict regulation with no exceptions. 

Pet passport or health certificate, isued by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK, or CFIA in Canada). This certificate certifies that the pet is completely healthy, free from infectious diseases, and must be issued within 7 to 10 days before the flight., confirming your pet is fit to travel. The record book should clearly show the history of basic vaccinations (for dogs: Distemper, Parvovirus, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis; for cats: FVRCP). Contact the relevant local authority for guidance on completing these certificates. If you are unsure about the validity of the procedures, it is better to contact reputable international shipping companies for assistance.

Import Permits: Apply for an import permit from the Vietnamese authorities, usually the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. This is typically required for bringing pets into the country. 

Import Permits and Restricted Breed Regulations

While animal quarantine checks may be conducted simultaneously as you clear customs, in most cases, once the aforementioned documents are verified, you and your pet can pass through quite smoothly. The border animal quarantine authority will issue a veterinary certificate allowing the pet to enter Viet Nam.

If the quarantine certificate from the exporting country is deemed invalid, the border quarantine authority may detain your pet. In the worst-case scenario, if your pet is suspected of carrying a dangerous infectious disease, the authorities will collect samples for testing. Should the situation deteriorate further, they may issue an official report and proceed with euthanasia in an area near the border checkpoint/airport.

Therefore, possessing a valid quarantine certificate in your country is VERY IMPORTANT. Make sure your documents are valid and your pet is healthy enough to travel with you; otherwise, it will be safer and better for them to leave them at home.

Important Note:

• The owner's name and the dog/cat's information must be written in English and in full. 
• You should request all of the above documents in English to ensure a smooth customs clearance process.

Currently, Vietnam's quarantine authorities do not issue a specific list of banned entry for any particular dog or cat breed. However, restrictions come from airlines. Most major airlines, including Vietnam Airlines, refuse to transport snub-nosed/brachycephalic breeds such as Pugs, Bulldogs, and Persian cats due to the risk of respiratory distress from pressure changes, or aggressive breeds (Pitbulls, Rottweilers) in the baggage compartment. It's better to check directly with the airline before your trip begins. 

You can refer to the list of dog and cat breeds that are not allowed to be transported by Vietnam Airlines here.

At the Border & Customs

Once your flight lands at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (Ho Chi Minh City) or Noi Bai International Airport (Hanoi), the pet customs clearance process will begin.

Entry by air

If your pet is traveling with you in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage, you will retrieve it at the designated baggage conveyor area. Before proceeding to customs, you must bring your pet and all original documents to the Animal Quarantine Station (located in the arrival hall). There, veterinary officers will check the microchip (if applicable), verify the health certificate and vaccination record. If everything is valid, they will stamp it and let you and your pet go.

Fortunately, Vietnam currently does NOT apply mandatory vet care for healthy dogs and cats with valid documentation. The veterinarian will be allowed to accompany you to the hotel. This procedure (from 14 to 30 days) only applies if your veterinarian shows signs of weakness, is suspected of having a contagious disease, or if the documentation is forged or the severity is insufficient.

Entry by land

If you are entering from Cambodia (via Moc Bai border gate), Laos (via Cau Treo, Lao Bao border gates), or China (Lao Cai, Mong Cai) - the document requirements remain the same (Health certificate, rabies vaccination). However, veterinary personnel at land border gates are often not on duty 24/7, and the process may be more complicated due to language barriers. The process can be very unpredictable - it could be simpler or more complicated. You should arrive during business hours and ideally use a pet agent service or hire a private car for cross-border transportation to have someone assist you with customs procedures directly.

Getting around Vietnam with your pet

FAQs

Can I bring my dog/cat to Vietnam?

Is there a quarantine period for pets entering Vietnam?

Which airlines allow pets in the cabin on flights to Vietnam?

Can I take my pet on Vietnam Railways trains?

Are there pet-friendly hotels in Vietnam?

What vaccinations does my pet need before entering Vietnam?

Can I cross the Vietnam–Cambodia border by private car with my pet?

What should I do if my pet gets sick in Vietnam?

Where can I buy pet food and supplies in Vietnam?

Is Vietnam a good destination to travel with a pet?