Bringing a pet to Vietnam

Last reviewed July 3, 2026

Vietnam has moderately strict pet import rules that vary depending on the rabies-risk category of the origin country. There is no mandatory quarantine for pets arriving from low-risk countries if all documentation is in order, but pets from high-risk areas may face stricter requirements or quarantine at the owner's expense. Expect microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements, and always check the specific rules for your pet's origin before travel.

Requirements for your pet

Showing requirements for a dog travelling from United States to Vietnam.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration)
  • Official health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by a government veterinarian)
  • Microchip documentation (proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliance)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for free-tier origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration)
  • Official health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by a government veterinarian)
  • Microchip documentation (proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliance)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for low-risk origins.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of administration)
  • Official health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, endorsed by a government veterinarian)
  • Microchip documentation (proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliance)

Rough budget

Microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccination ~$20–50 — confirm current prices with a local vet and the destination agency.

No additional requirements for high-risk origins.

Frequently asked questions

No. Vietnam does not require a rabies titer (FAVN) test for dogs from any country. A valid rabies vaccination given at least 21 days before travel is sufficient.
No. There is no mandatory quarantine for dogs entering Vietnam from any origin. Your dog can be released upon arrival after document inspection.
Vietnam does not impose a strict cap on the number of pets for non-commercial import, but carrying more than 2–3 dogs may trigger commercial import regulations. Check with the Vietnam Animal Health Department for specific limits.
No. Vietnam does not exempt emotional support or service animals from standard import rules. All dogs must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements.
The official health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the dog's arrival in Vietnam. It must be endorsed by a government veterinarian (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK).
Cabin travel depends on the airline's policy and the dog's size (typically under 8 kg including carrier). Vietnam Airlines allows small dogs in the cabin on some routes, but always confirm directly with the carrier. Larger dogs must travel as checked baggage or cargo.
No. Vietnam does not require an import permit for personal pet dogs. Only the health certificate and rabies vaccination records are needed.

Showing requirements for a cat travelling from United States to Vietnam.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of vaccination)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Vietnam Animal Health Department.

Cats from rabies-free origins (e.g. Andorra, San Marino, Vatican) face no extra steps beyond standard microchip, rabies vaccine, and health certificate.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of vaccination)
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, rabies vaccine ~$20-50. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Vietnam Animal Health Department.

Cats from low-risk countries (e.g. US, UK, Japan, Australia) require the same documents as free-origin cats. No titer test or import permit needed.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Required
Blood draw 30+ days before travel
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (showing microchip number, vaccine details, and date of vaccination)
  • FAVN titer test result (≥0.5 IU/mL) from an OIE-approved lab
  • Import permit from Vietnam Department of Animal Health
  • Health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival, signed by an official government veterinarian
  • Microchip certificate or proof of ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchip implantation

Rough budget

ROUGH ballpark only: microchip ~$30-50, health certificate ~$100-200, FAVN titer test ~$100-250, import permit fees ~$50-150. Confirm current prices with a local vet and the Vietnam Animal Health Department.

Cats from high-risk rabies countries (e.g. Thailand, Russia, most of Africa/Asia) must have a FAVN titer test and an import permit. No quarantine upon arrival if all documents are in order.

Apply / official cat import page

Frequently asked questions

Yes, if your cat originates from a high-risk rabies country (e.g. Thailand, Russia, India), a FAVN titer test is required. The test must be done at an OIE-approved lab at least 30 days after the rabies vaccination and at least 30 days before travel. The result must show a rabies antibody level of at least 0.5 IU/mL.
Vietnam generally allows up to 5 cats per person under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, commercial import regulations apply, which require additional permits and inspections. Check with the Vietnam Department of Animal Health for the exact limit.
No. Vietnam does not grant any exemptions for emotional support or service animals. All cats must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, health certificate, and (if applicable) titer test and import permit requirements regardless of their role.
The health certificate must be issued within 10 days of the cat's arrival in Vietnam. It must be signed by an official government veterinarian (e.g. USDA-accredited vet in the US, DEFRA-endorsed vet in the UK).
No, Vietnam does not require quarantine for cats arriving from any country, provided all documentation (microchip, rabies vaccine, health certificate, and if required, FAVN titer test and import permit) is complete and correct. If documents are missing, the cat may be held at the airport until resolved.
Yes, but the rabies vaccination is required for all cats entering Vietnam, and the vaccine cannot be given before 12 weeks of age. If your kitten is younger than 12 weeks, it cannot be vaccinated and therefore cannot meet the rabies requirement. You must wait until the kitten is at least 12 weeks old and then wait 21 days after vaccination before travel.
You must bring your own ISO-compatible microchip reader. Vietnam's border inspectors use ISO readers; if they cannot read your chip, they may refuse entry. The safest option is to have an ISO 11784/11785 chip implanted before travel.

Showing requirements for a ferret travelling from United States to Vietnam.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid at time of travel, issued after microchip)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, in English or with certified Vietnamese translation)
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit, implanted before rabies vaccination)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccine ~$20–50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Vietnam's Department of Animal Health.

Vietnam does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets — all origins follow the same rules. No quarantine required.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid at time of travel, issued after microchip)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, in English or with certified Vietnamese translation)
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit, implanted before rabies vaccination)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccine ~$20–50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Vietnam's Department of Animal Health.

Vietnam does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets — all origins follow the same rules. No quarantine required.

Microchip
Required
ISO 11784/11785
Rabies vaccine
Required
From 12 weeks old, wait 21+ days before travel
Rabies titer test (FAVN)
Not required
Quarantine
None
Health certificate
Required
Official government or USDA/DEFRA-endorsed veterinarian · valid 10 days before arrival
Import permit
Not required

Documents checklist

  • Rabies vaccination certificate (valid at time of travel, issued after microchip)
  • Health certificate (issued within 10 days of arrival, in English or with certified Vietnamese translation)
  • Microchip proof (ISO 11784/11785, 15-digit, implanted before rabies vaccination)

Rough budget

Rough ballpark only — verify locally: microchip ~$30–50, health certificate ~$100–200, rabies vaccine ~$20–50. No import permit fee. Confirm current prices with a local vet and Vietnam's Department of Animal Health.

Vietnam does not differentiate rabies risk tiers for ferrets — all origins follow the same rules. No quarantine required.

Frequently asked questions

Yes, for non-commercial import of up to 5 ferrets, no import permit is required. You need a microchip (ISO 11784/11785), rabies vaccination (given at least 21 days before travel, ferret at least 12 weeks old), and a health certificate issued within 10 days of arrival by an official government veterinarian. No quarantine.
No. Vietnam does not require a rabies titer test for ferrets from any origin, regardless of rabies risk classification. Only a valid rabies vaccination certificate is needed.
You may bring up to 5 ferrets under non-commercial rules. If you bring more than 5, the shipment is considered commercial and requires an import permit from Vietnam's Department of Animal Health, plus additional documentation like a commercial invoice and possibly a quarantine inspection.
No. Vietnam does not recognize emotional support or service animals as exempt from standard import rules. All ferrets must meet the same microchip, rabies vaccination, and health certificate requirements regardless of their role.
The rabies vaccination must be valid at the time of travel. If the vaccine is older than 1 year (or the booster interval specified by the manufacturer), your ferret must receive a booster at least 21 days before arrival. A single vaccination given after 12 weeks of age is accepted if still within its validity period.
No. Only ISO 11784/11785 compliant microchips (15-digit) are accepted. If your ferret has a different chip, you must bring your own scanner or have a compatible chip implanted — but the non-ISO chip alone will not meet requirements. The microchip must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
The health certificate must be in English or accompanied by a certified Vietnamese translation. It must be issued by an official government veterinarian (e.g., USDA in the US, DEFRA in the UK) within 10 days of the ferret's arrival in Vietnam.

Good to know

All pets must be microchipped with an ISO 11784/11785 compliant chip before rabies vaccination. The rabies vaccine must be administered at least 30 days before travel and no more than 12 months prior. A veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of departure and endorsed by the exporting country's government authority is required. Import permits may be needed for certain origins; confirm with the Vietnamese Animal Health Department well in advance.

Airline rules & connecting flights

Government import rules are only half the picture — your airline sets its own pet policy on top of them: whether your petcan fly in the cabin at all, size/weight limits for the carrier, breed embargoes (many airlines refuse brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs and pugs in cargo), and seasonal heat restrictions. Check your specific airline's pet policy before booking — see IATA's Traveler's Pet Corner .

If your flight has a layover, the transit country can have its own pet rules — sometimes these apply even if you never leave the airport. If you're transiting through another country on the way to Vietnam, check that country's pet-entry/transit rules separately (search "pets" on this site for that country too).

For guidance only. Pet import rules change without notice and a wrong step can mean quarantine or a refused entry for your animal — always confirm current requirements with Vietnam's official veterinary/agriculture authority and your airline before travelling.