Admittedly, there is no better way to explore the exotic land of Vietnam with your best friend in the world – your beloved pets. In order to enjoy your trip to the fullest with adorable company by your side, keep up with the information on bringing your pets to Vietnam.
Have you ever found a seal while packing your luggage?
Information on Bringing your Pets to Vietnam: Who is Your Friend?
Who will make the journey with you?
Identifying what type of animal will travel with you will greatly help you retain your rights and ensure safety for your pretty fella. This task includes answering several questions about your little (or not-so-little) friend. Is it a chubby dog or a fluffy cat? Or a bird? A piglet? How big or small that adorable guy is? Are they pregnant? Should your pet be kept at a certain temperature? Are they afraid of flying? Etc.
Keep in mind:
- Some airlines, especially the ones in Vietnam, only permit certain types of animals such as domestic dogs, cats, and birds.
- Pregnant animals are not allowed on planes.
- Due to the changes in the temperatures and air pressure while flying, only certain breeds that are not susceptible to heat changes are allowed.
- Most airlines don’t allow snub-nosed dogs or cats (such as pugs, or British short-haired cats). If you do want to bring those breeds on the flights, you might need to follow more specific guidelines or even sign a waiver as the airlines cannot guarantee the well-being of the animals on the flight.
Snub-nosed dogs such as boxers or Chinese pugs are not able to travel in case of extreme heat changes
Only when you have figured out the basic information can you seek the ultimate solution for your journey.
Information on Bringing Your Pets to Vietnam: Before the Flight
Legal Requirements:
– Contact your airlines beforehand for any necessary documents and reserve your flight, as well as check the price for carrying your pets on the flight. Don’t wait till the last minute.
– Though it is not a requirement, it is advisable to get an import permit from the Vietnamese Government before the flight to avoid any delays at the airport.
– Even better if you are able to inform the Immigration Office at Vietnam’s airports in advance about your arrival with your pets to expedite the process. Have the paperwork ready in hand once you land.
Preparations for Your Pets:
It is required to get your pets vaccinated before the trip
- Get all of the required vaccines and keep a record of them.
- Get a health check for your animals and make sure they are healthy enough to fly long distances.
- Acclimate your pets to the kennel and to traveling if possible.
- Have your pets fed 4 – 6 hours before departure to prevent digestive problems. Besides, you should also give them some water right before getting on the plane because you are not allowed to take care of the pets during the flights.
- There are quite a few precautions that must be taken when flying with your pets, but under no circumstances should you drug or sedate the animals, as it will probably harm their health.
- Attach your name and contacts on your pets and the kennels in case of mishaps.
- Vietnam doesn’t require a pet microchip, but it is advisable to implant one to your pets as the microchip’s number may be compulsory information for the paperwork to bring your pets to your home country or other countries.
Information on Bringing your Pets to Vietnam: Pets on Plane Procedure
Health Certificates: Vaccine Certificate and Inoculation Records
It is of vital importance that your pet is perfectly healthy and completely free from every transmittable disease and parasite. Have your pets vaccinated for rabies at least 30 days prior to your trip to Vietnam, and it must be no longer than a year before your travel. All of the procedures, along with the microchip’s number, should be proven in a certificate in English. You can download a form online and have an accredited vet fill in.
The recommended vaccines are Distemper, Parvovirus, Canine Hepatitis, Adenovirus, Parainfluenza, Coronavirus, and Leptospira for dogs, Panleucopenia, Calicivirus, Herpesvirus, Leukemia for cats.
Upon arriving at the airport, you should be able to present the “inoculation records”, which is the history of all the vaccinations ever injected in the pet. This includes the manufacturer and the batch number of the vaccine, as well as the administration and expiration dates if any.
Kennel Requirements
- During a several-hour flight, you should properly equip your pet with a comfortable enough cage, and only qualified cages are allowed on the plane.
- The kennel should be big enough for the animal to be able to stand up, lie down, and turn around comfortably.
- There must be adequate ventilation, and the interior must not have any sharp edges, which the pets can hurt themselves with.
- It is mandatory that the cage is made with strong and solid materials such as fiberglass, metal, or rigid plastics and the floor must be leak-proof.
- The sides of the kennel are compulsorily solid. One side must be openable and must be locked carefully.
- Any wheels on the kennel must be removed before the flight.
Pets should be able to stand inside the crates
You can choose whether you want to have your buddy travel on board or as checked baggage, but there are particular restrictions that must be met.
Pets on Board
Make sure to carry out thorough research on information on bringing your pets to Vietnam, because certain airlines online accept pets on board, only when the passengers have made advanced reservations at least 36 hours ahead of departure. What is more, the animal must be at least 10 weeks old and the maximum total weight of the animal combined with the kennel is 6kg (~13lb). However, should there be any certified service dogs, they are allowed to accompany owners with disabilities, but they must sit in front of the passengers.
Note that Vietnam is not accustomed to “service pets” so you must do careful planning and communication with the airlines as well as the airport officers if you’re flying with one.
Service dogs must sit in front of the passenger’s seat
A guide to Tan Son Nhat International Airport
Pets as Checked Baggage
If the weight of your pet combined with the crate exceeds 6kg, then it must travel with you as checked baggage. However, most airlines would not be allowed cargo with a pet that is over 32 kg ( ~70 lb). Apart from that, almost the rest of the process follows a similar procedure as above, such as health certificates and kennel requirements.
Most airlines will require animals over 6kg to travel as checked luggage
In addition to the obligatory health checks, your pets must be well-behaved and not cause any harm to other animals or to passengers and their luggage. It is also a vital reminder to prevent offensive odors so as to ensure the most relaxing flight for everyone.
Have your pet’s information attached to the kennel
Check-in Procedure
The quarantine staff will examine the animal’s health status, and based on the condition and the health certificates, the quarantine officer will issue a ‘no entry ban’ and then return the pet to the passenger. Though the process might be complicated, Vietnam’s law is pretty relaxed.
Pets that do not meet these requirements may be returned to their home country, vaccinated, or quarantined.
Taking your pets back home follows a similar procedure. You need to be able to provide the health certification or have your pet vaccinated if necessary. Contact your airlines and your country of destination for other essential requirements.
Bringing your Pets to Vietnam: Pet-friendly Accommodations
It is a general fact that most hotels in Vietnam don’t allow animals, but it is certainly not impossible to find one that offers the finest service and is pet-friendly as well. Apart from hotels, which generally have strict rules and guidelines, local Airbnb or serviced apartments often are more accommodating to specific needs. Additionally, we recommend accommodations in city centers as they are convenient for your expedition to Vietnam and cover almost every necessity. An extra charge may be applicable for the pets, but it shouldn’t be too big of a problem.
Luckily, these guys prefer the outdoors anyway
Hanoi
Hanoi Astoria Hotel
Address: 151, Hang Bong, Hanoi
The hotel lies in the business area of the city, so it is especially convenient for you to explore the capital of Vietnam. It stands next to the Lake of Restored Sword and there are also theaters and traditional temples close by. You can have a drink at night time in the hotel’s bar or at the clubs around the area. Hanoi Astoria Hotel offers not only a family-friendly atmosphere but also dog-friendly accommodation free of charge.
Ho Chi Minh
Greenwood Villa Saigon
Address: D6, Street No. 41, District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
Check price and availability
Greenwood Villa Saigon is a lovely villa that is on a tranquil, green-covered street, which is incredible for a leisure vacation in Ho Chi Minh. There are also sports and leisure facilities, including fishing, cycling, and a garden area for afternoon tea. The most excellent part? You can enjoy your laid-back vacation with your best friend on your side, as the villa allows pets.
Sens House – Vinhomes Golden River
Address: 2, Nguyen Huu Canh Street, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Check price and availability
Not only are there an evergreen garden and barbecue facilities, but Sens House also offers an outdoor swimming pool and a sports center. Famous city landmarks are just within walking distance from the apartment, such as the General Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral, and Diamond Plaza. Pets are allowed on request, but a slight charge may be applicable.
Look for more pet-friendly accommodations below:
Information on Bringing your Pets to Vietnam: Pet’s Food
Although the pet market is not particularly thriving in Vietnam, it doesn’t require much effort to find pet food. You can effortlessly stroll around the local supermarket for a few packets of quality dog or cat food. If you happen to be in big cities such as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi, check out Lottemart, Coopmart, or Citimart.
Pet food can also be found at some pet stores or clinics. You can find quite a few shops in Ho Chi Minh City, like Saigon Pet Clinic (33 Duong So 41, District 2), Pet Center (42 Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, District 3), and Little Dogs (523 Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, District 3).
Buy quality pet supplies with great discounts online here
Information on Bringing your Pets to Vietnam: Traveling with Pets in Vietnam
Domestic flights: For the time being, only Vietnam Airlines allows pets on board for premium-class passengers. The paperwork for the pets follows a similar procedure and requirements as bringing your pets to Vietnam – do contact the airline and prepare the paperwork a few weeks before your travel.
Trains and buses: Public trains and buses in Vietnam only transport pets as cargo. The best solution is to book private transfer services that cost a little more but allow much more flexibility. Look for private buses and taxis below:
Riding a motorbike with your pets: Some types of motorbikes (mostly automatic bikes) have enough space to carry medium dogs. Do have your dogs leashed up and strapped on the bike securely to prevent them from jumping off the bike unexpectedly.
When in Vietnam, ride like the Vietnamese
Or rent a private car for more comfort
Information on Bringing your Pets to Vietnam: Pet Transportations Services in Vietnam
Bao Linh Express:
Address: 22B8 Dam Trau Street, Bach Dang Ward, Hai Ba Trung District, Hanoi
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/baolinh.express
The Animal Doctors:
Address: 1 Tran Ngoc Dien Street, Thao Dien District 2, Ho Chi Minh City
826 Nguyen Van Linh Street, District 7, Ho Chi Minh City
Website: https://www.theanimaldoctors.org/
Pet-related Facebook groups:
Saigon Pets Adoption: https://www.facebook.com/cuutrochomeo
Dog Lovers in Ho Chi Minh City: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1522115054746349/
Some Important Notes for Bringing Your Pets to Vietnam:
– Vietnam is known for its motorbike mania, so it is advisable to always have your pets on a leash when in public to avoid unexpected accidents.
– Try to prevent your dogs from munching on grass in public or unknown places as people might have sprayed rodents and bug killers. When your dogs are trying to eat grass, most likely they are having stomach issues.
– Most indoor places (such as malls or restaurants) in Vietnam are not pet-friendly.
Conclusion of Information on Bringing Your Pets to Vietnam
It is quite a daunting task to have your pets travel alongside you on your trip to Vietnam, so hopefully, our guides can ease off the challenges. After all, the ultimate goal is to have a blast with your little buddy, so spending some time doing careful research is by no means a waste of your effort.