Emma · with Luna (Tabby cat, 4kg) “I made a spreadsheet of every airline's pet policy before booking.” Meet all guides →
About this guide ↓
This guide was generated by Pawgo's AI using verified data from official sources. Emma is a fictional persona — the data is real.
Vietnam Airlines lets a cat like Luna ride in the cabin, but only up to 6 kg including the carrier, and that number decides everything else about the trip. Weigh your carrier, weigh your cat, then check whether the total clears the line before you book anything. Cabin, cargo, and hold are all on the table here, which is rarer than the spreadsheet suggests.
Vietnam Airlines'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 Vietnam Airlines handles your pet
Each fact comes straight from the operator’s published policy. Tap the to read the exact wording; the opens the source page.
In the hold / cargo✓ Accepted
Snub-nosed breedsNot accepted
Cabin policy
One-way fee300 USDverified 2026-08-30
Advance booking required✓ Yesverified 2026-08-25
Max pets per passenger2verified 2026-08-24
Exit row allowed✗ Noverified 2026-07-14
Under seat required✓ Yesverified 2026-07-14
Advance notice hours24 hoursverified 2026-07-20
Pregnant animals accepted✗ Noverified 2026-08-26
Carrier size30 × 35 × 20 cmverified 2026-08-23
Max weight (pet + crate)6 kgverified 2026-08-23
Crate must have/bewater bowl, ventilated, absorbent liner, a carrierverified 2026-08-23
Booking the pet service is not part of the standard ticket flow. Contact a Vietnam Airlines branch to reserve the cabin spot at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time. Treat that window as a hard deadline, not a suggestion. A confirmed passenger seat does not confirm the animal. Make the branch call first, then count the hours backward from departure.
Vietnam Airlines refuses transport for specific dog and cat breeds named on its restricted list. Snub-nosed and flat-faced breeds are the usual entries. Confirm the exact breed name against that published list before purchasing any ticket. A breed on the list cannot fly in cabin, cargo, or hold, and no booking, weight, or advance call overrides that exclusion.
The published pet section splits into cabin conditions, checked-baggage conditions, prohibited animals, and special cases, but a one-way cargo fee for dogs is not stated there. Request the exact cargo figure from a Vietnam Airlines branch before committing to a route. Get it quoted in the airline's own currency and confirmed in writing rather than assumed from the fare page.
So the shape here is unusually generous: cabin, cargo, and hold all open, with that 6 kg cabin ceiling as the real gatekeeper. Everything downstream depends on the branch call and the breed list, and Luna would want both nailed down early. Build a personalized plan for your actual route, dates, and weights with Pawgo's plan-builder, and let it hold the checklist so nothing gets left to memory.
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.
Auto-generated from verified data · Last updated: August 30, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vietnam Airlines allow brachycephalic (snub-nosed) breeds?
Vietnam Airlines bans brachycephalic breeds from cargo. Breeds like French Bulldogs, Pugs, and Persian cats are affected. Verify your breed at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Does Vietnam Airlines require a health certificate for pets?
Yes, Vietnam Airlines requires a health certificate for pets. It must be issued within 10 days of travel. Your destination country may have additional requirements — check www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
Can I ship my dog as cargo on Vietnam Airlines?
Yes, Vietnam Airlines offers cargo pet transport. Confirm the carrier's specific crate and documentation requirements with the airline directly before booking. Get the full details at www.pawgo.fr.Build my pet's travel plan →
How many pets can I bring on Vietnam Airlines?
Vietnam Airlines allows 2 in the cabin, up to 3 in the hold, per passenger. Each pet needs its own carrier.Build my pet's travel plan →
What is the cabin weight limit on Vietnam Airlines?
In the cabin, your pet plus its carrier must not exceed 6 kg. Heavier pets (up to 32 kg) travel in the hold.Build my pet's travel plan →
Can snub-nosed (brachycephalic) breeds fly Vietnam Airlines?
Snub-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats are not accepted in the cabin, not accepted in the hold.Build my pet's travel plan →
How far in advance must I book my pet on Vietnam Airlines?
Add your pet to the booking at least 24 hours before departure — do it when you book the ticket, not at the airport.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
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.Build my pet's travel plan →
Flying Vietnam Airlines?
Get a personalized travel checklist for your pet on Vietnam Airlines.
