Pet Transport from United Arab Emirates to Vietnam
Planning a pet relocation from United Arab Emirates to Vietnam is easier when you work backwards from your travel date. This is a middle of the road route, and about 20-26 weeks of …
Rabies vaccinationRequired. Rabies vaccination within 12 …
Rabies titre testRequired for: Not routinely required for …
QuarantineNo mandatory quarantine for compliant …
Import permitRequired. Import permit must be obtained …
Health certificateRequired. Official Veterinary Health …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from United Arab Emirates to Vietnam
typically takes around 20-26 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
A rabies titre test may be required depending on your pet's origin, so check the requirements below.
Regulations verified
Written and reviewed by Marcus Webb, Senior Pet Relocation Consultant
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
First step - must be done before any vaccinations.
Microchip your pet (ISO 11784/11785 standard)
Responsible: Your veterinarian
2
After microchip. 21-day wait before next steps.
Rabies vaccination
Responsible: Your veterinarian
3
Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. 90-day wait after successful result.
Rabies titre test (blood test at accredited laboratory)
Responsible: Your veterinarian + approved laboratory
4
Apply early: allow 4-6 weeks
Apply for import permit from Vietnam
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
5
2-4 weeks before travel. Confirm pet space with airline directly.
Book IATA-compliant flight and cargo/cabin space
Responsible: You (or your pet transport agent)
6
Within 10 days of travel (check destination-specific requirement)
Obtain official veterinary health certificate
Responsible: Official veterinarian
7
3-4 hours before departure for cargo pets; 2 hours for cabin
Travel day: arrive early, present all documentation at cargo desk
Responsible: You + airline check-in/cargo desk
Checklist
What your pet needs
Every item below must be completed and verified before your pet can travel. Expand each category for the detail.
Microchip
Required (ISO 11784/11785)
Rabies vaccination
Required. Rabies vaccination within 12 months.
Rabies titre test
Required for: Not routinely required for companion animals
Quarantine
No mandatory quarantine for compliant pets. Veterinary inspection at point of entry.
Import permit
Required. Import permit must be obtained before travel.
Health certificate
Required. Official Veterinary Health Certificate. Issued by: Official government vet in origin country. Valid for 14 days from issue. Must state microchip number, vaccinations, and health status. Should be endorsed by national vet authority.
Export permit
Contact municipality for specific export clearance process
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United Arab Emirates to Vietnam move gets missed.
Pet Transport Global
Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. We know every carrier policy for this corridor.
Emirates
Cargo: Emirates SkyCargo handles all pet transport as manifested cargo. Brachycephalic breeds accepted with additional requirements and seasonal restrictions. Temperature embargoes during extreme heat (summer months in Gulf region)
Cargo Only
Vietnam Airlines
Small pets (under 5kg with carrier) allowed in cabin on some routes. Cargo: larger pets in hold. Advance booking required. Vietnam import/export documentation must be fully prepared before travel.
Cabin and Cargo
Lufthansa
Small pets (up to 8kg with carrier) allowed in cabin. Cargo: larger pets via Lufthansa Cargo in pressurised, temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo year-round
Cabin and Cargo
British Airways
Cargo: Pets transported via British Airways World Cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Book through approved cargo agent. No cabin pets on any route.
Cargo Only
Singapore Airlines
Cargo: Pets travel in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions. Temperature embargoes apply on certain routes/seasons
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Cargo: Pets travel as manifested cargo in temperature-controlled hold. Brachycephalic breeds restricted during summer months. Hong Kong AFCD import regulations must be met
Cargo Only
Air France
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo transport available for larger pets. Brachycephalic breeds subject to restrictions/seasonal embargoes
Cabin and Cargo
KLM
Small pets allowed in cabin (up to 8kg including carrier). Cargo: pets transported via KLM Cargo. Temperature restrictions apply. Brachycephalic breeds restricted from cargo
Cabin and Cargo
Costs
What this route typically costs
Airline cargo or cabin fees (varies by carrier, route, pet weight, and crate size)
IATA-compliant travel crate (purchase or hire)
Veterinary fees: vaccinations, microchipping, health certificate
Rabies titre test laboratory fee
Import permit application fee (Vietnam)
Pet transport agent fee (recommended for complex routes)
Critical points
Import permit must be obtained before travel. Apply well in advance.
Always verify current regulations with the destination country's official veterinary authority before travel.
The rules for bringing a pet into Vietnam
Vietnam keeps its requirements reasonable, though a few steps have fixed timing. Map those out first and the rest falls into place.
How to keep this move on track
Book the titre test laboratory well ahead. Approved labs have limited slots and the sample takes time to process, so this is not something to leave to the final weeks.
Microchip before you vaccinate. The microchip must be in place before the rabies shot for the vaccination to count, and getting this order wrong is the most common and costly mistake.
Use an official, government-authorised vet for the health certificate, not just your usual clinic. Many destinations only accept certificates signed by an approved vet.
If this is your first international move, consider an IPATA-registered pet transport agent. They handle the documents, airline booking and crate sizing, and can troubleshoot problems.
FAQ
Common questions
Allow at least 20 weeks from starting preparations to travel day. Some steps involve mandatory waiting periods that cannot be shortened, so starting early is the only way to keep to your schedule.
No routine quarantine is required in Vietnam for pets arriving with correct documentation. However, if your pet arrives without the right paperwork, penalty quarantine can apply. Get everything right before you travel.
Yes, a rabies titre test is required. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after your pet’s rabies vaccination, and there is a 90-day waiting period after a successful result before your pet can enter Vietnam. Start this process as early as possible.
Yes, an import permit is required from Vietnam’s authority (the relevant government body). Apply before you book your flight. The permit specifies conditions your pet must meet and must be obtained in advance.
Your pet needs a government-issued veterinary health certificate from an official vet in United Arab Emirates. The certificate must be issued within 14 days of travel. Present the original (not a copy) at check-in. Check Vietnam’s authority for the exact format required.
Ready when you are
Move your pet
to Vietnam.
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