Vietnam takes pets in with an advance import permit, current rabies vaccination, and an official health certificate. Nala did Bangkok–Hanoi by cargo last year — slow but cleanly run on the paperwork side. The mandatory home quarantine of about 14 days typically starts on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi.
Bringing a pet to Vietnam requires three documents in the right order: a microchip, a rabies vaccine within the destination's wait window, and a government-endorsed health certificate. The table below lays out exactly what's required, what's not, and where each rule comes from.
What you need to bring a pet to Vietnam
| Requirement | Detail | Source & confidence |
|---|
Timing chain
Day -90 microchip implant · Day -30 rabies vaccine deadline · Day -7 health certificate issued · Day 0 arrive at customs
Frequently asked
- 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.
Vietnam rewards planning — import permit, recent rabies vax, signed official health certificate. Put those three lines at the top of your plan, build in three months of lead time before departure, and arrival at Tan Son Nhat is simpler than it looks.
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.