Vietnam Airlines (VN) handles cabin and cargo pets on most routes, but the cargo booking process is more bureaucratic than the cabin one. The single decision that defines your trip is whether your pet meets their carrier dimension rules — Vietnamese aviation regulations cap cabin pet weight at 6 kg combined including carrier, which is stricter than many neighboring carriers. Luna would not qualify for cabin under VN's specific rule even though she is small.
VN's pet policy splits into cabin and cargo. This page summarizes the weight limits, fees, brachycephalic-breed restrictions, and carrier specifications for both modes — sourced from the airline's official pet pages.
How VN treats your pet
Cabin policy
Hold policy
Cargo policy
| Item | Detail | Source & confidence | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance booking | Add to booking ≥ 24 h before departure | 85% | |
| Pets per passenger | Up to 2 per passenger | 95% |
Cargo pet bookings on Vietnam Airlines must be made at least 24 hours before the expected departure time through a Vietnam Airlines branch office, not the online system. The booking process requires direct contact with their cargo team, which means walk-up bookings at the airport are not supported. Confirm cargo space availability and pet handling requirements outside this 24-hour window to avoid losing the slot.
Frequently asked
- What is the cabin weight limit on VN?
- In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 6 kg. Heavier pets (up to 32 kg) travel in the hold.
- What if my flight is delayed past my health certificate validity?
- If the certificate window expires before you board, you'll need a re-issue. Build a 1-2 day buffer between the cert date and departure to absorb minor delays.
- What happens if I forget a document?
- At the destination airport: at best, an extended inspection while you produce backup; at worst, the pet is held in quarantine or returned to origin at your cost. Bring printed copies.
For Vietnam Airlines: book cabin pets at ticket purchase (6 kg combined limit including carrier), and book cargo pets through their branch office at least 24 hours before departure. Confirm aircraft type on every leg — VN's Airbus widebodies handle cargo pets routinely but their regional turboprops have different rules. Build your plan against your departure date in Pawgo before booking — it confirms the cabin slot weight cap and the cargo booking channel.
Glossary
- ISO chip
- ISO 11784/11785 — the universal microchip standard.
- FAVN
- Fluorescent Antibody Virus Neutralization — a rabies serology test required by rabies-free destinations.
- Brachycephalic
- Snub-nosed breeds (French Bulldogs, Pugs, Persians, Himalayans) with restricted airline acceptance due to heat-stress risk.
- AVIH
- Animal Vehicle In Hold — IATA's term for cargo pet shipment, with fees that vary by carrier and route.