US
VN
Pet Transport USA to Vietnam: The 2026 MARD Import Guide
4-8 wks
Preparation needed
See key facts
Quarantine on arrival
Medium
Route complexity
Managed
Full door to door
Official rules on this page checked
Step by step
The import process, in full
1
Start of planning.
Confirm microchip is ISO-compliant and recorded.
Responsible: Your vet
2
Close to travel date, within the validity window.
Book USDA-accredited vet for health certificate.
Responsible: USDA-accredited vet
3
Immediately after vet appointment.
USDA APHIS endorses the certificate. Allow two to five business days.
Responsible: USDA APHIS
4
After USDA endorsement.
Arrange a Vietnamese translation of the health certificate if required by MARD for your specific permit.
Responsible: You or your agent
5
Several weeks before travel.
Book cargo space with Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air Cargo, or Cathay Pacific.
Responsible: You
6
Travel day.
Travel to Vietnam. Veterinary inspection on arrival at Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or Hanoi (HAN).
Responsible: You and airline
Which Vietnam rules depend on a pet coming from the United States?
These rules apply to pets from the United States, on top of the rules every pet follows:
- Health certificate: Per USDA APHIS (bilateral certificate dated September 2025): the US certificate is valid for 30 days from issue to departure. Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to Viet Nam, checked 2 October 2026 - Health certificate: Per USDA APHIS guidance (page last modified 30 September 2025): the endorsed certificate is printed from VEHCS and must accompany the animals. Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Pet Travel From the United States to Vietnam, checked 2 October 2026 - Rabies vaccination: Per USDA APHIS bilateral certificate (September 2025): the US vet certifies the animals are current on rabies vaccination at export. Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to Viet Nam, checked 2 October 2026 - Microchip: Per USDA APHIS bilateral certificate (September 2025): the US vet verifies any microchips listed on the certificate. Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to Viet Nam, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: Per USDA APHIS bilateral certificate (September 2025): US animals must come from an area not quarantined for rabies and not have been exposed to rabies. Applies to dogs and cats from the US.
Veterinary Health Certificate for Export of Dogs and Cats from the United States of America to Viet Nam, checked 2 October 2026
The rules that apply to every pet entering Vietnam, whatever the origin, are listed with their official sources in our Vietnam guide.
What does the United States require before your pet leaves?
- Export health certificate: All pet export health certificates must be issued by a USDA-accredited veterinarian (page updated 18 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: The accredited vet can submit the health certificate to APHIS for endorsement on the owner's behalf (through VEHCS); alternatively the vet gives the paperwork to the owner to submit to the USDA Endorsement Office. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel: U.S. to Another Country, checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: VEHCS is APHIS's online system for issuing, submitting and endorsing export health certificates (page updated 9 June 2026). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Veterinary Export Health Certification System (VEHCS), checked 2 October 2026 - Export health certificate: Endorsement windows after the vet signs are limited and vary by destination (e.g. 30 days). Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Pet Travel Process Overview, checked 2 October 2026 - Other conditions: APHIS endorsement fee (page updated 18 June 2026): USD 101 per certificate with no lab tests; USD 160, 206 or 275 for 1 to 2, 3 to 6 or 7+ tests, plus small per-extra-pet amounts. Paid before endorsement; none for ADA service dogs. Applies to dogs and cats leaving the US.
Cost To Endorse Your Pet's Health Certificate, checked 2 October 2026
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We handle the regulations for every animal, every country, every airline, so nothing on your United States to Vietnam move gets missed.
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Airlines
Carriers on this route
Not all airlines accept live animals on this route. Confirm the operating carrier's current policy for every flight segment.
Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines operates from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) to Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Vietnam Airlines Cargo accepts pets as manifested cargo. As Vietnam's national carrier, Vietnam Airlines has experience coordinating with MARD on arrival. No cabin pets on transatlantic routes. Brachycephalic breed restrictions apply.
United Airlines
United Cargo connects from US gateways via Tokyo (NRT) or Hong Kong (HKG) to Vietnam. Confirm the complete routing accepts pet cargo before booking.
Korean Air Cargo
Via Seoul Incheon (ICN) to Ho Chi Minh City or Hanoi. Korean Air Cargo has established procedures for pet transport and connects well from multiple US cities. Good option for midwest and eastern US gateways.
Cathay Pacific Cargo
Via Hong Kong (HKG) to Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) or Hanoi (HAN). Cathay Pacific Cargo has a strong Asia network. Note that AFCD transit rules apply at HKG. Seasonal restrictions; confirm before booking.
Costs
What this route typically costs
USDA-accredited vet examination and health certificate: USD 100 to USD 300
Vietnamese translation of health certificate: USD 50 to USD 150 if required
International pet cargo (USA to Vietnam): USD 800 to USD 2,300
Total typical range: USD 1,070 to USD 3,150
Critical points
Vietnam's climate is tropical. Ho Chi Minh City is hot year-round (28-35 degrees Celsius). Brachycephalic breeds face airline restrictions on heat-affected routes. Hanoi has cooler winters, but summer temperatures can still exceed 35 degrees.
Note: Vietnam is classified as a HIGH-RISK country by the US CDC for dogs travelling FROM Vietnam TO the USA. This affects the reverse route (Vietnam to USA), not this direction. Moving from the USA to Vietnam does not trigger any CDC requirements.
FAQ
Common questions
Vietnam Airlines operates from Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) to Hanoi (HAN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Korean Air Cargo connects via Seoul Incheon (ICN) from many US cities. Cathay Pacific Cargo routes via Hong Kong (HKG). All carry pets as manifested cargo. No cabin pets on long-haul international routes.
No routine quarantine applies to dogs and cats from the USA with correct documentation. A veterinary inspection is conducted at the MARD border post on arrival at the cargo facility. Pets with complete, correct paperwork are released after inspection.
No. The CDC high-risk classification for Vietnam applies to dogs travelling FROM Vietnam TO the USA, not the other direction. Moving from the USA to Vietnam follows Vietnam’s import rules (MARD), not the CDC rules. The CDC classification only comes into play if you later want to bring your pet back from Vietnam to the USA.
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Requirements on this page were checked against the authorities below. Rules change, so confirm current conditions with the relevant authority before you travel.
- USDA APHIS · United States Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
- CDC · United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dog import rules
- IATA · International Air Transport Association, Live Animals Regulations