Taking Your Dog to Vietnam
Use this 2026 guide to prepare your dog’s Vietnam entry paperwork, vaccination records, airline booking, and return-to-US documents.
Requirements for Bringing Your Dog to Vietnam
ISO Microchip
Required on the USDA-endorsed Vietnam health certificate. The Vietnam certificate includes a mandatory microchip number field, and the USDA-accredited veterinarian must verify the microchip before signing.
Have the microchip implanted before the final travel paperwork is issued; for an eventual return to the US from Vietnam, implant it before any rabies vaccination you may need to rely on for CDC re-entry.Rabies Vaccination
Dogs must be current on rabies vaccination at the time of export. The USDA Vietnam health certificate requires the date of the most recent rabies vaccination, vaccine name, batch number, and end date of validity.
Must be valid on the date of departure; complete any booster before the health certificate is issued.Rabies Titer Test
Vietnam’s USDA country-specific dog/cat certificate does not list a rabies antibody titer requirement for pet dogs entering Vietnam from the United States.
Not required for entry to Vietnam based on the current USDA Vietnam pet dog/cat certificate.Health Certificate
Use the country-specific 'Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to Viet Nam.' The USDA-accredited veterinarian must certify the dog was inspected, appears healthy and free of infectious or contagious disease, and has not been exposed to rabies. USDA digital endorsement through VEHCS is accepted.
The certificate is valid for 30 days from the date of issue to the date of departure.USDA Endorsement
The Vietnam health certificate must be endorsed by USDA APHIS. Vietnam accepts electronic signature and digital endorsement through VEHCS, and the printed endorsed certificate must travel with the dog.
After your veterinarian issues the certificate and before departure.Import Permit
USDA APHIS provides a country-specific Vietnam pet dog/cat certificate but does not list a separate import permit requirement on the current Vietnam pet travel page. Because Vietnam notes requirements can change without notice, confirm with the airline and Vietnam’s animal health authorities if you are moving multiple animals or traveling under cargo procedures.
Verify before booking and again before departure, especially for cargo shipments or more than one pet.Parasite Treatment
No parasite treatment requirement is stated on the current USDA Vietnam pet dog/cat health certificate for pet dogs entering from the United States.
Not listed as a Vietnam entry requirement on the current USDA certificate.Quarantine Period
The current USDA Vietnam pet dog/cat certificate does not state a routine quarantine period for compliant pet dogs entering Vietnam.
No routine quarantine is listed on the current USDA Vietnam pet dog/cat certificate.Banned Breeds
Vietnam’s USDA import certificate does not list banned dog breeds for entry, but Vietnam Airlines refuses transport for several snub-nosed and restricted breeds, including American Pit Bull Terrier, Pit Bull, American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Tosa and mixes, Rottweiler and mixes, Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff breeds, Boxer, Bulldog, French Bulldog, English Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier, Chow Chow, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Pekingese, Japanese Chin, and some other brachycephalic breeds.
Check breed acceptance before buying tickets; airline restrictions apply at booking and check-in.Airline Booking Rules
Vietnam Airlines accepts dogs in cabin only if the dog and carrier together weigh no more than 6 kg; as checked baggage if dog and kennel together do not exceed 32 kg; heavier animals must travel as cargo. Vietnam Airlines does not transport dogs on flights between Vietnam and the United States.
Reserve pet space with the airline in advance and reconfirm before travel.Estimated Costs
| Item | Cost(USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary exam | $75-150 | Typical pre-travel exam with a USDA-accredited veterinarian; clinic pricing varies by state and metro area. |
| Rabies vaccination | $25-60 | Only if your dog needs a booster to remain current for export. |
| Rabies titer test | $0 | Not required by Vietnam for entry from the United States under the current USDA Vietnam pet dog/cat certificate. |
| USDA health certificate endorsement | $101-160 | APHIS charges $101 per certificate when no lab tests are required, or $160 when 1-2 lab tests are required; vaccines do not count as tests. |
| Microchip | $20-60 | Only if your dog is not already microchipped with a scannable chip accepted by your veterinarian and airline. |
| Airline pet fee (cabin or checked) | $300-650 | Vietnam Airlines charges USD 650 for pets in cabin on U.S. routes (Zone D). For checked baggage on U.S. routes, fees are USD 350 for up to 9 kg, USD 450 for over 9 kg to 16 kg, and USD 550 for over 16 kg to 32 kg, excluding VAT. Vietnam Airlines does not transport dogs on flights between Vietnam and the United States, so U.S.-Vietnam itineraries usually require another airline or cargo arrangement. |
| Import permit fee | $0 | No separate Vietnam import permit fee is listed on the current USDA APHIS Vietnam pet dog/cat page for standard pet travel. |
| Total | $521-1,080 |
Returning to the US with Your Dog
Vietnam is currently listed by CDC as a high-risk country for dog rabies. That means your return plan matters before you leave the United States. All dogs entering or returning to the US need a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Dogs must also appear healthy, be at least 6 months old, and have a microchip. If your dog was vaccinated against rabies in the United States and will be in Vietnam during the 6 months before return, CDC says you should leave the US with the Certification of U.S.-Issued Rabies Vaccination form completed before departure; APHIS also warns owners to prepare this before travel. If your dog will return as foreign-vaccinated from Vietnam, CDC requires additional steps for dogs from high-risk countries, including a Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form endorsed by the exporting country’s official veterinarian, a rabies serology titer from a CDC-approved laboratory, and arrival by air at an airport with a CDC-registered animal care facility. Without a valid serology result, the dog must have a reservation for a 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care facility. CDC notes the blood sample for serology must be drawn at least 30 days after the first valid rabies vaccine and at least 28 days before US entry, and CDC recommends starting at least 60 days before travel because lab turnaround times vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vietnam require a microchip for dogs from the United States?
Yes. The current USDA Vietnam dog/cat health certificate has a required microchip field, and the USDA-accredited veterinarian must verify the microchip listed on the certificate.
Does my dog need a rabies titer test to enter Vietnam?
No. The current USDA APHIS Vietnam pet dog/cat certificate does not list a rabies antibody titer requirement for pet dogs entering Vietnam from the United States.
How long is the Vietnam health certificate valid?
The current USDA Vietnam dog/cat health certificate is valid for 30 days from the date of issue to the date of departure.
Do I need USDA endorsement for Vietnam?
Yes. The country-specific Vietnam health certificate must be endorsed by USDA APHIS. Vietnam accepts electronic signature and digital endorsement through VEHCS.
Is there a quarantine period for dogs entering Vietnam?
The current USDA Vietnam pet dog/cat certificate does not list a routine quarantine period for compliant pet dogs arriving from the United States.
Can my dog fly in the cabin to Vietnam?
Possibly, but airline rules are strict. Vietnam Airlines allows dogs in cabin only when the dog and carrier together weigh no more than 6 kg, and the dog must stay in the carrier on the floor during the flight. However, Vietnam Airlines does not transport dogs on flights between Vietnam and the United States.
Are any dog breeds restricted by the airline?
Yes. Vietnam Airlines refuses transport for a list of snub-nosed and restricted breeds, including Pit Bull types, Tosa and mixes, Rottweiler and mixes, Akita, American Bulldog, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Mastiff breeds, Boxers, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pugs, Chow Chows, Shar Peis, Shih Tzus, and several other brachycephalic breeds.
What do I need to return to the United States from Vietnam with my dog?
At minimum, every dog needs a CDC Dog Import Form receipt. Because Vietnam is a CDC high-risk country for dog rabies, additional CDC rules apply depending on whether your dog is U.S.-vaccinated or foreign-vaccinated, and foreign-vaccinated dogs may also need a CDC-approved rabies serology test and possibly a 28-day quarantine reservation.