All pets imported into Việt Nam are subject to animal quarantine upon entry. Photo toplistnghean.com

LL.M. Vũ Vân Anh

I am a foreign national planning to come to Việt Nam for work. I am currently living with two pets, a dog and a cat. May I bring my pets with me to Việt Nam?

Yes. Under Article 10 of Circular No. 25/2016/TT-BNNPTNT (Circular 25), a foreign national entering Viet Nam may bring up to two animals for the purpose of keeping them as household pets, provided the animals are not included in the list of animals prohibited from import.

According to Article 9.2 of Government Decree 35/2016/ND-CP, which details the Law on Animal Health, animals prohibited from import include animals originating from countries or territories that are:

• Affected by pathogens listed in Viet Nam’s notifiable animal diseases.
• Affected by diseases transmissible between animals and humans or new infectious disease agents that may pose a risk of spreading epidemics to domestic livestock or endangering human health.

All pets imported into Viet Nam are subject to animal quarantine upon entry. Quarantine requirements generally include:

• Presentation of a veterinary certificate issued by the competent authority of the exporting country.
• Clinical examination of the animal upon arrival.
• Vaccination if the animal has not been vaccinated against dangerous infectious diseases.
• Sample collection and testing if the animal shows signs of suspected infectious disease.

If all quarantine requirements are met, the border animal quarantine authority will issue a veterinary certificate allowing the pet to enter Viet Nam.

Pet owners should also pay attention to air transport conditions for pets. As requirements vary among airlines, it is advisable to contact the airline in advance to confirm applicable procedures and documentation.

What procedures do I need to complete to bring my pets with me to Việt Nam?

To bring a pet into Việt Nam, pet owners are required to complete the following procedures in accordance with Việt Nam’s animal quarantine regulations.

Step 1: Prepare required documents, including:

• Export health certificate, issued by the competent veterinary authority of the exporting country, certifying that the pet has been examined and is eligible for export. This certificate is typically valid for seven to 10 days prior to departure.
• Rabies vaccination certificate, clearly stating the date of vaccination, vaccine type, batch number and validity period. The vaccination must have been administered at least 30 days and no more than 12 months before the intended date of entry into Việt Nam.
• Pet passport or vaccination record, documenting the dog’s full vaccination history, deworming and other relevant health information. In addition to rabies, pet owners are advised to ensure their pets receive full vaccinations against other common diseases appropriate to the species, as recommended by a veterinarian, to help them adapt safely to a new environment in Việt Nam.
• Microchip number, which links the dog’s identity to all health documents. The microchip number must be accurately recorded on both the rabies vaccination certificate and the export health certificate. While microchipping is not mandatory under Việt Nam’s law, many airlines and exporting countries require an ISO 11784/11785-compliant microchip.
• Pet owner’s personal documents, typically the passport of the person accompanying the pet or the individual named on the pet’s transport documents. If the owner is travelling with the dog, a passport is sufficient.

All documents must be translated into English or Vietnamese for inspection by the competent Vietnamese authorities.

Step 2: Register animal quarantine for import

Before departure, pet owners must submit an application for animal quarantine registration to Việt Nam’s Department of Animal Health (DAH). The application dossier includes:

• A written request for animal quarantine instructions, prepared in accordance with Form No. 19, Appendix V of Circular 25.
• An animal quarantine declaration.
• Copies of the pet’s health documents, including vaccination and veterinary certificates.

The dossier may be submitted through the National Single Window Portal (https://vnsw.gov.vn) or sent by post to the Department of Animal Health at No.15/78 Giải Phóng Street, Kim Liên Ward, Hà Nội.

Within five working days of receiving a complete and valid dossier, the DAH will issue a written approval for animal quarantine and provide guidance on the relevant procedures. If the application is not approved, the DAH will issue a written response explaining the reason. The approval will be sent to the applicant and to the animal quarantine authority at the port of entry.

Step 3: Complete procedures upon arrival in Việt Nam

After completing personal immigration procedures at the airport, pet owners should proceed to the special baggage claim area or contact airport staff to collect their pet, then report to the border animal quarantine authority at the airport.

The quarantine officer will:

• Verify the pet’s identity, including microchip information if applicable.
• Examine the quarantine dossier and conduct a clinical health check.
• Transfer the pet to a quarantine facility or an approved quarantine location if the dossier is valid and the pet shows no signs of infectious disease.
• Supervise the quarantine process, which may last up to 45 days depending on disease risk and testing requirements.
• Issue a veterinary certificate once all conditions are satisfied and the pet is confirmed to be healthy.

During the quarantine process, pet owners are required to:

• Cooperate with the animal quarantine authorities.
• Care for the pet throughout the quarantine period.
• Pay all quarantine-related fees and charges in accordance with regulations.

Once all these steps have been completed, pet owners may officially take the pet home. — VNSL