Tips on Bringing Your Pets to Vietnam

The following instructions are tailored specifically for traveling with cats and dogs and are much simpler than anticipated. Don’t invest your time and money in agencies or organizations that may not have firsthand experience in Vietnam. Pet owners only need a veterinary certificate and their pets’ vaccination records; additional requirements may vary based on your airline. For instance, if you are flying from the United States, a health certificate must be signed within 10 days prior to travel.

The process consists of three main steps as follows:

Step 1: Vaccination

Your pet must be vaccinated against rabies at least 30 days prior to travel to Vietnam, and vaccination must occur no more than one year before the trip. Next, download the veterinary certificate and have your accredited veterinarian complete the form, certifying that your pet is healthy, free of parasites, and showing no signs of diseases transmissible to humans.

Step 2: Attach the Pet’s Inoculation Record to the Veterinary Certificate

The Pet’s Inoculation Record includes a detailed history of all vaccinations administered to your pet, including the name, manufacturer, and lot or batch number of the vaccine, along with the administration date and expiration date if applicable. In addition to the mandatory rabies vaccination, other vaccinations are recommended. Here are some vaccines typically advised for dogs and cats:

Dog: Rabies, Distemper, Hepatitis, Leptospirosis, Parvovirus, and Para Influenza.

Cat: Distemper, Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, Leukemia, and Rabies.

Step 3: Immigration Process

Upon arrival in Vietnam, present the required documents (the veterinary certificate and Pet’s Inoculation Record) to the immigration officer after retrieving your pets in the area designated for checked luggage. After reviewing the documents, they will permit you and your pets to exit the airport.

Special Note

There is no quarantine period upon arrival in Vietnam.

Your pet will be secured in a crate during the flight, so it is advisable to familiarize them with the crate by having it set up in your home and inserting your pets into it for a few hours each day before departure. Avoid sedating your pets, as this may adversely affect their health.

The steps for taking your pet out of Vietnam mirror those for entry. You need to ensure your pets are vaccinated and contact your airline and the country of destination for any additional requirements you must fulfill.