Bringing a dog or cat to Vietnam in 2026 falls into the easy category for international pet travel. Vietnam is in Asia. Vietnam does not routinely quarantine pets that arrive with complete paperwork.
Reviewed by Clifford Wilson, Founder of ClearToFly.pet. Compiled from official government and airline documentation. Last reviewed 2026-06-08.
Beyond rabies, Vietnam requires or recommends these vaccinations:
Plan to present the following at check-in and on arrival:
# Vietnam Pet Import Requirements 2026: Dogs & Cats
Last updated: 23 April 2026 by Cliff Wilson Jr.
*Sources: USDA APHIS Pet Travel — Vietnam, Vietnam Airlines Pet Policy, PetRelocation Vietnam Guide. Always confirm with the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) Department of Animal Health before you book flights.*
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Good news: Vietnam has no mandatory quarantine for pet dogs and cats traveling with their owner. If you're bringing 2 or fewer pets per person, you don't need an import permit. The whole process takes about 30–45 days if you already have a microchipped, rabies-vaccinated pet.
The 4 things you need:
1. ✅ ISO 11784/11785 15-digit microchip 2. ✅ Rabies vaccine given 30+ days but less than 12 months before travel 3. ✅ USDA-endorsed APHIS 7001 health certificate issued within 7 days of arrival 4. ✅ (Only if 3+ pets per person) MARD import permit from Vietnam
That's it. No blood titer test. No quarantine. No general breed bans beyond standard airline rules.
> 👉 Download the free Vietnam Pet Travel Checklist — a 1-page PDF with every deadline, form number, and phone number you need.
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Vietnam follows the international standard: your pet must have an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip. If your pet has an older 9 or 10-digit chip, you'll either need to bring your own scanner or get a new ISO chip implanted.
Critical timing rule: The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination. If the chip goes in after the vaccine, Vietnam (and every country except a handful) will treat your rabies vaccine as invalid and make you start over. This is the #1 mistake we see new pet travelers make.
Cost in the US: $25–$65 at most vets or rescue clinics.
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Your dog or cat must be at least 3 months old at the time of vaccination and receive the rabies shot at least 30 days before arrival in Vietnam but no more than 12 months before. The vaccine must be inactivated or recombinant and approved for use in the US.
> ⚠️ Vietnam treats rabies vaccines as valid for 12 months only. Even if your vet gave your pet a 3-year vaccine, you'll need to treat it as valid for 12 months for Vietnam entry. If your last rabies shot was more than 12 months ago, you need a booster before travel — and then wait another 30 days.
Other vaccines Vietnam recommends (and airlines often require):
These aren't legally required to enter Vietnam, but airlines like Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air, and EVA Air will ask for them at check-in.
Parasite treatment: Some carriers require documented tick and tapeworm treatment within 7 days of the flight. Not a Vietnam government requirement, but check with your specific airline.
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Here's where a lot of outdated guides get it wrong. If you are traveling with 2 or fewer pets per person (dogs + cats combined), you do NOT need an import permit. This is confirmed by USDA APHIS's Vietnam instructions and PetRelocation.
If you have 3 or more pets per person, you'll need a MARD import permit:
> 🛬 Entry-point rule worth knowing: The expedited HCMC permit path handled by Regional Animal Health Office No.6 (near Tan Son Nhat airport) is only available for pets landing at SGN. If you're flying into Hanoi (HAN) or Da Nang (DAD), the permit must be applied for through the MARD central office — slower and usually requires an agent. If you have 3+ pets, route through SGN if at all possible.
Most people handle this through a pet relocation agent in Vietnam. The group IMPORT PERMIT Vietnam community has active on-the-ground agents if you need one.
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This is the document that will make or break your trip. You need a USDA-accredited veterinarian to complete APHIS Form 7001 (International Health Certificate) within 7 days of arrival in Vietnam.
> ⚠️ The Vietnam window is 7 days, not the more common 10. Many US-facing pet travel blogs cite 10 days because that's the standard for other destinations. Vietnam is stricter. Plan your vet visit and USDA endorsement accordingly — you have a tight window.
The certificate must include:
Then — critical step — the certificate must be endorsed by USDA APHIS. Submit digitally through the USDA VEHCS portal (fastest, often same-day, $38) or mail it to a regional APHIS office (slower). Digital endorsement is strongly recommended for the 7-day window.
Timeline to follow:
| Day | Action | |-----|--------| | Day −7 | Vet exam + APHIS 7001 completed | | Day −6 to −5 | Submit to USDA for endorsement via VEHCS | | Day −4 | Receive USDA-endorsed certificate (digital or paper) | | Day 0 | Arrive in Vietnam |
> 💡 Pro tip: Bring 3 printed copies plus a digital copy on your phone. Airlines, Vietnamese border officials, and sometimes customs will each keep a copy.
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Not every airline flies pets to Vietnam, and there's one gotcha that trips up US travelers every week:
> 🚨 Vietnam Airlines does NOT transport dogs on flights between Vietnam and the United States. Per Vietnam Airlines' current pet policy, dogs are not accepted in cabin or as checked baggage on any direct US–Vietnam route. If you're flying from the US with a dog, you need to book Korean Air (via ICN), EVA Air (via TPE), Cathay Pacific (via HKG) or China Airlines — then connect to Vietnam.
Here's the current 2026 reality:
| Airline | In-Cabin? | Cargo? | US ↔ Vietnam? | Notes | |---------|-----------|--------|---------------|-------| | Vietnam Airlines | ✅ Yes (6 kg pet+carrier) | ✅ Yes (32 kg) | ❌ No dogs | Best for intra-Asia or Europe–Vietnam routes. | | Korean Air | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Via ICN | Most reliable US → Vietnam dog route. | | EVA Air | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | ✅ Via TPE | Good alternative hub. | | Cathay Pacific | ❌ No in-cabin | ✅ Yes | ✅ Via HKG | Cargo only. | | Singapore Airlines | ❌ No in-cabin | ✅ Yes | ✅ Via SIN | Cargo only. |
Vietnam Airlines in-cabin limits:
Cargo temperature rules: Vietnam Airlines (and most carriers) will not accept pets as cargo or checked baggage when temperatures at any airport on the route are above 29.4°C (85°F) or below 7.2°C (45°F). Flights below 45°F may be accepted with a Certificate of Adaptation from your vet. Plan shoulder-season flights (Oct–Nov, Feb–Mar) to avoid summer embargoes in Vietnam and winter embargoes at US hubs.
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When you land, clear immigration normally with your pet in its carrier. Then proceed to the Animal Quarantine Desk — usually near baggage claim in both Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) and Hanoi (HAN).
What happens:
1. Quarantine officer scans your pet's microchip 2. Reviews your USDA-endorsed APHIS 7001 + rabies certificate 3. Issues a Vietnamese import certificate (~$20 USD, paid in VND or USD cash) 4. Releases your pet — total process typically 1–2 hours
Vietnam generally does not require quarantine for pets arriving with a valid health certificate and rabies vaccination (issued between 30 days and 12 months prior). An import permit is only required if importing more than two pets. Only dogs and cats are permitted as pet imports.
Use the ClearToFly Trip Planner to build a personalized checklist with exact deadlines for your route into Vietnam. Compare carriers that fly your route on the airline pet policy directory, or get expert eyes on your paperwork with a Route Review.
Government pet import rules change without notice. Before booking flights, confirm requirements directly with the Vietnam veterinary authority. We also recommend cross-referencing the USDA APHIS Pet Travel database for U.S.-origin pets.
Data last verified 2026-06-08 from National Authority. Country code: VN.