Pet transport

Service booking conditions

Conditions for transporting pets in the passenger cabin.

Pet Type : Dogs and cats 10 weeks old or older. Vietnam Airlines does not accept pet birds in the passenger cabin; please register for pet transportation as checked baggage. Health : Pets allowed in the passenger cabin must be in good health, free from disease, fully vaccinated, odorless, and not affect passengers or their property. Weight : The total weight of the pet and cage must not exceed 6kg. If the pet and cage exceed 6kg, passengers must register for pet transportation as checked baggage. Quantity: Each passenger is allowed to bring no more than 2 pets, with 1 pet per cage, except in the following cases:

Transporting two pets together in one cage, provided the total weight of both pets does not exceed 14kg;
Transporting pets under 6 months old in a cage with their mother.

The maximum number of pets that can be transported in the passenger cabin for each service class is as follows:

Business Class: maximum 1 pet allowed on A321 aircraft (not applicable to Business Class on A350 and B787 aircraft);
Premium Economy class: maximum of 2 pets;
Economy Class: maximum 2 pets.

Note:

Throughout the flight, pets transported in the passenger cabin must be kept in a carrier cage placed on the floor of the aircraft, in front of the passenger's seat.
Passengers seated near the emergency exit are not permitted to transport pets in the cabin; please book pet transportation as checked baggage or cargo.

Conditions for transporting pets as checked baggage.

Pet Type : Dogs, cats 10 weeks old and older, and pet birds. Health : Pets transported as checked baggage must be in good health, free from disease, fully vaccinated, odorless, and not affect passengers or their property. Weight : The total weight of the pet and its cage must not exceed 32kg. If the pet and its cage exceed 32kg, passengers must register their pet for cargo transport. Quantity: A maximum of 9 pets can be transported as checked baggage per flight, with a maximum of 3 pets per passenger and 1 pet per cage, except in the following cases:

Transporting two pets together in one cage, provided the total weight of both pets does not exceed 14kg;
Transporting pets under 6 months old with their mother in the same cage;
Transport a pair of birds in a cage, with the cage wrapped in cloth.

Pets are not allowed to be transported.

Pregnant pets will not be transported;
Some dog and cat breeds are very sensitive to temperature, humidity, light, pressure, and sound, and are vulnerable to harm when traveling by plane. Therefore, to ensure the safety of both the flight and passengers' pets, Vietnam Airlines does not transport certain dog and cat breeds. Passengers should refer to the List of Dog and Cat Breeds That Are Not Allowed to Be Transported.
In case of extremely hot or cold weather, Vietnam Airlines reserves the right to request passengers to provide a Certificate of Compatibility or to refuse to transport pets to ensure safety;
The captain may refuse to transport pets or transfer them to the cargo hold if the pet is causing inconvenience to passengers or the crew. Passengers will be notified in advance of this decision and assume all risks regarding the pet's injury, illness, or death during transport.

Special case: Guide dogs for passengers with limited mobility.

Passengers with mobility limitations are permitted to bring guide dogs on board without incurring additional service fees. Passengers are requested to inform Vietnam Airlines staff in advance when booking and purchasing tickets. Guide dogs must wear a muzzle, leash, or similar covering throughout the flight. Guide dogs must be trained to perform tasks or duties assisting their disabled owners, trained to behave appropriately in public, and to obey their owners' commands. Additionally, guide dogs must have all necessary "Accompanying Documents" prepared before the flight. The guide dog will sit directly in front of the passenger.

Conditions regarding transport cages

Pet carriers, whether checked in as baggage or carried in the passenger cabin, must meet the following requirements:

It's the right size for pets, spacious enough for them to move around comfortably, such as turning, standing, sitting, and lying down;
Made from materials such as plastic, wood, metal, and welded wire mesh. Wooden materials are only acceptable for cat carriers (not applicable for dog carriers).
One side of the cage is not welded in place, but is designed with a barrier, allowing observation of the inside;
The cage door is one side of the transport cage and has a security lock. Passengers can use additional plastic straps to secure the cage door.
The bottom of the cage is made of a hard, airtight material to prevent cold air from below and is waterproof;
If the cage has wheels, the wheels must be removed before the flight or be foldable;
The interior of the cage is designed to be smooth, without any sharp edges or ridges;
Containers for water and food are securely attached to the transport cage.

In addition to the above requirements, the transport cage must meet the following size and weight standards:

Passenger cabin transport cage: Dimensions (width, length, height) must not exceed 35cm x 30cm x 20cm. The total weight of the pet and cage must not exceed 6kg;
Pet carrier/carrier as checked baggage: The total weight of the pet and carrier must not exceed 32kg.

A: The cage door must have a central latch and be secured in both the top and bottom positions. B: The door hinges must cover a maximum of 1.6 cm of the door frame. C: The two halves of the cage must be attached together with bolts.

Book a pet transportation service.

Instructions for booking services

Passengers should contact a Vietnam Airlines branch to book the service at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Service booking fee

The pet transportation service fee applies to the total weight including one carrier and the pet, excluding value-added tax. These regulations and fees only apply to flights operated by Vietnam Airlines. Passengers can refer to the sections below for more information.

Preparing before the flight

Documents attached

Passengers should prepare the necessary documents before checking in at the airport, including: Exit quarantine certificate or certificate from the country/region of departure, entry certificate or quarantine station certificate from the country/region of arrival, health certificate, passport, etc. All documents must be valid.

Regulations for the import and export of pets.

Bringing pets on board depends on the laws and quarantine systems of each country/region. Passengers are advised to familiarize themselves with the regulations of both the departure and arrival governments for a smoother flight experience. Australian government regulations: Animals are not permitted in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage. Please visit the Australian government website for more details. UK government regulations .

For flights to the UK: Animals are only permitted for transport as cargo.
For flights departing from the UK: Animals are only permitted as checked baggage or cargo. Please visit the UK government website for more details.

According to US government regulations, passengers traveling with pets (dogs) on flights from Vietnam to the US should note the following regulations upon entry:

- If your dog has been vaccinated against rabies in the United States, please note the following requirements:
  - Provide the CDC Entry Form (for dogs);
  - Provide a rabies vaccination certificate issued by the United States or a USDA-certified health certificate for travel.
  - Dogs must be in good health and at least 6 months old;
  - The multi-function scanner can identify microchips implanted before rabies vaccination;
  - All forms and related documents must provide microchip identification information.

For more detailed information, please refer to the US regulations for dogs vaccinated against rabies.

- In the case of a dog that has been vaccinated against rabies in another country:
  - Provide the CDC Entry Form (for dogs);
  - Provide a certificate of rabies vaccination and a foreign-made microchip for identification.
  - If neither of the above samples shows a positive rabies serological test result, passengers must present a valid test certificate issued by a CDC-approved laboratory;
  - If a valid rabies serological test result is not available, the dog will be quarantined at a pet care facility for 28 days. Passengers are advised to register in advance with the facility.
  - Dogs must be in good health and at least 6 months old;
  - The multi-function scanner can identify microchips implanted before rabies vaccination;
  - All forms and related documents must provide microchip identification information.

For more detailed information, please refer to the entry regulations for dogs vaccinated against rabies in other countries.

Pets (dogs) that have not been vaccinated against rabies are not permitted for transport.

Passengers should refer to the regulations on pet entry and exit in Japan, South Korea, and other countries.

Check your pet's condition.

Before departure, pets need to be issued a quarantine certificate, a health certificate confirming they are fit to fly, etc. Please refer to the "Required Documents" section.
One to two days before departure, passengers should regularly check to ensure their pets are in good health. If this is the pet's first time traveling by plane, passengers should consult a veterinarian for appropriate advice.
On the day of departure, passengers should note:
- Feed your pet at least 4 to 6 hours before departure. Please prepare water for your pet (no more than 2/3 full) if the total journey time is over 12 hours.
- Ensure that pets do not emit unpleasant odors that could affect other passengers.

Check-in at the airport

Passengers traveling with pets need to arrive at the airport early to ensure sufficient time for check-in. Vietnam Airlines encourages passengers to arrive at the airport at least two hours before departure. During check-in, passengers will be guided by Vietnam Airlines staff to sign a "Liability Waiver" form, or passengers can prepare this form in advance by downloading it here, filling it out, and bringing it with them to the airport. Note: In case of extremely hot or cold weather, Vietnam Airlines reserves the right to request a Certificate of Compatibility or refuse to transport pets to ensure flight safety.

At the arrival airport

Procedures at the arrival airport depend on the regulations of each airport. Passengers traveling with pets should check the information and entry regulations of their destination to prepare for the necessary procedures.

Source: https://www.vietnamairlines.com/vn/vi/buy-tickets-other-products/special-services/traveling-with-pet