Vietnam
The Socialist Republic of Vietnam runs along the eastern edge of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia, sharing borders with China, Laos, and Cambodia. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi are the main international entry points for pets arriving by air.
At a Glance
Bringing a pet into Vietnam requires a microchip, rabies vaccination at least 30 days before arrival, and a government-endorsed health certificate — no blood test, quarantine, or import permit is required for 1 or 2 personal pets, making Vietnam one of the more straightforward destinations in the region.
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Health Certificate
Required
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Blood Test (RNATT)
Not Required
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Import Permit
Not Required*
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Min. Age
4 months
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Min. Prep Time
30 days
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Difficulty
Moderate
*No import permit is required for 1 or 2 personal pets. An import permit is required for 3 or more pets; manifest cargo for more than 2 pets is currently not possible to permit. Plan accordingly if relocating with multiple animals. Note: Vietnam is classified as high-risk for dog rabies — if you plan to move your pet onward to Australia, the UK, Japan, or certain EU countries, RNATT planning must begin before or shortly after arrival in Vietnam.
Key Requirements
Microchip
An ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip is strongly recommended and preferred by Vietnamese authorities. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination is given — the vaccination date must fall on or after the date of microchip implantation. The chip number should appear on the health certificate and vaccination records.
Rabies Vaccination
Required for all pets aged 4 months or older. The vaccination must have been administered at least 30 days before arrival and no more than 12 months before arrival. Both 1-year and 3-year vaccines are accepted, provided the vaccine was given within the last 12 months. The vaccination date must appear on or after the microchip implantation date. The vaccination certificate must include the manufacturer, batch number, and expiry date.
Recommended Vaccinations
While only rabies is required by Vietnamese authorities, additional core vaccinations are strongly advised at least one month before travel. For dogs, the DHPPi+L vaccine (distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, parainfluenza, leptospirosis) is recommended. For cats, the FVRCP vaccine (feline viral rhinotracheitis, calicivirus, panleukopenia) is recommended. Some airlines may require proof of core vaccinations as a condition of transport.
Parasite Treatment
Not required by Vietnamese authorities, but internal and external parasite treatment is strongly recommended before travel. Treatment within 5 days before departure is advisable, particularly given Vietnam's tropical climate. Recording treatments on the health certificate is good practice.
Health Certificate
A government veterinary health certificate is required and must be valid on arrival in Vietnam. It must be issued within 7 days before travel and include the pet's identification details, microchip number, rabies vaccination status, and a clinical health declaration confirming the animal is fit for transport. The Animal Quarantine Station at the arrival airport should be notified in advance of the pet's arrival.
Export Certificate
The health certificate must be endorsed by the official government veterinary authority of the origin country before departure. A certificate issued only by a private veterinarian without government endorsement is not sufficient.
Import Permit
No import permit is required for 1 or 2 personal pets. For 3 or more pets, a permit is required from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) or the Department of Animal Health, which takes approximately one week to obtain and is valid for 10 days. Import permits for manifest cargo involving more than 2 pets are currently not available. Owners relocating with multiple pets should consign animals under separate airway bills, with a maximum of 2 pets per AWB.
⚠️ Vietnam is classified as a high-risk country for dog rabies. If you plan to relocate your pet onward to Australia, New Zealand, Japan, the UK, or EU countries with strict biosecurity requirements, a rabies antibody titer test (RNATT) must be planned carefully — ideally before arriving in Vietnam, or shortly after. Arrange this in advance with a certified specialist to avoid long waiting periods when you leave.
Preparation Timeline
1
Microchip
Assumed already present — must be implanted before rabies vaccination
2
Rabies Vaccination + Core Vaccines
At least 30 days before arrival; ensure up to date and within 12 months
3
Parasite Treatment
Within 5 days before departure (strongly recommended)
4
Health Certificate + Export Endorsement
Within 7 days before arrival — endorsed by government vet of origin country
Frequently Asked Questions
Is quarantine required when entering Vietnam?
No quarantine is required provided all documentation is correct and the pet passes the clinical inspection at the arrival airport. Pets arriving without the required documents will be held at the Animal Quarantine Station at the owner's expense until the situation is resolved.
Do requirements change depending on which country I'm travelling from?
The core requirements — microchip, rabies vaccination, and government-endorsed health certificate — apply the same way regardless of the pet's country of origin, since Vietnam does not add steps based on where the pet is coming from. What can differ is which government veterinary authority endorses the export certificate and how quickly that process works locally. Always confirm the exact steps with a certified pet relocation specialist for your specific country of departure.
Do I need a blood test before travelling to Vietnam?
No. Vietnam does not require a rabies antibody titer test (RNATT) for pets entering from any country. However, because Vietnam is classified as high-risk for dog rabies, countries with strict biosecurity controls — such as Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and some EU states — will require an RNATT before they accept a pet that has been resident in Vietnam. If you plan to eventually move your pet to one of these countries, arranging the RNATT before or shortly after arriving in Vietnam will save significant time later. Talk to a specialist about exit planning →
Do I need an import permit?
No, for 1 or 2 personal pets. An import permit from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) is required only when importing 3 or more animals. Note that manifest cargo permits for more than 2 pets are currently not available — owners with multiple pets should consign them under separate airway bills, with a maximum of 2 pets per AWB.
How long does the health certificate need to be valid?
The health certificate must be issued within 7 days before arrival and be valid on the date the pet enters Vietnam. It must be endorsed by the official government veterinary authority of the origin country. The Animal Quarantine Station at the arrival airport should be notified in advance of the pet's arrival date and flight details.
Are there breed restrictions for Vietnam?
No. Vietnam does not maintain a list of prohibited dog or cat breeds. However, individual airlines operating to Vietnam may restrict certain breeds — particularly brachycephalic breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats — due to respiratory risks during flight. Always check your airline's breed policy before booking.
Which airports can my pet enter through?
The main entry airports with animal quarantine facilities are Tan Son Nhat (SGN) in Ho Chi Minh City and Noi Bai (HAN) in Hanoi. Da Nang (DAD), Phu Quoc (PQC), and Cam Ranh (CXR) are also available. Confirm that quarantine inspection services will be available at your chosen airport on your travel date.
How much does it cost?
Costs vary depending on pet size, origin country, and transport method. Request a free personalised quote →
Ready to start planning?
Every pet's situation is different. Get a free, no-obligation quote from a certified pet relocation specialist.
⚠️ The information on this page is provided for reference only and may not reflect the most current regulations. Always verify all requirements with a certified pet relocation specialist before booking travel or making any arrangements for your pet.