Relocating a pet from Vietnam to United Kingdom follows a clear path once you understand what United Kingdom asks for. Plan for approximately 22-28 weeks. This is a rigorous route with little room to …
In short:
Preparing to move a pet from Vietnam to United Kingdom
typically takes around 22-28 weeks.
There is no routine quarantine on arrival for compliant pets.
Regulations checked
Prepared and reviewed by Pet Transport Global Editorial Team
Step by step
The Vietnam to United Kingdom import process
01
Start of planning.
Confirm ISO microchip pre-dates rabies vaccination.
Responsible: Vet
02
5+ weeks before blood draw.
Rabies vaccination at least 30 days before titre test blood draw.
Responsible: DAGAH-authorised vet
03
Blood draw date determines earliest GB entry.
Titre test blood draw. Three-month GB waiting period starts from this date.
Responsible: Accepted laboratory
04
During 90-day wait.
Apply for APHA Import Licence online.
Responsible: Owner or UK agent
05
4-8 weeks before travel.
Book cargo with Vietnam Airlines, Qatar Airways, or Cathay Pacific.
Responsible: Owner or agent
06
Within 10 days of travel.
DAGAH-authorised vet issues GB health certificate within 10 days of GB arrival. DAGAH endorsement. Dogs: tapeworm treatment 24-120 hours before arrival.
Responsible: DAGAH vet
07
Travel day.
Pet arrives at Heathrow BCP. APHA inspection.
Responsible: Airline cargo
Requirements
United Kingdom entry requirements
Every item below must be in place before your pet can enter. We verify and track each one.
Microchip
ISO 11784/11785 microchip required. Must be implanted before the rabies vaccination.
Rabies vaccination
Current valid rabies vaccination with at least 21 days elapsed since first vaccination.
Rabies titre test
Vietnam is not on the GB listed country schedule. Titre test mandatory. Blood drawn at least 30 days after vaccination. Result at least 0.5 IU/ml. Three calendar months must pass after the blood draw date before GB entry.
Quarantine
No routine quarantine with correct documentation. Penalty quarantine up to 4 months if documentation is wrong.
GB Pet Health Certificate from a DAGAH-authorised vet, DAGAH-endorsed. Valid 10 days from examination to GB arrival.
Leaving Vietnam
Export requirements
Health certificate
Official health certificate from a DAGAH (Department of Animal Health) authorised vet, endorsed by DAGAH (or MARD, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) as Vietnam's competent authority. Must comply with GB format. Issued within 10 days of GB arrival.
Costs
What this route typically costs
Titre test (Vietnam)
DAGAH health certificate and endorsement
IATA-compliant crate
Cargo fee: HAN/SGN to LHR
APHA Import Licence (free)
UK tapeworm treatment (dogs)
Agent fee
Critical points
The 90-day wait from the titre test blood draw is non-negotiable. Start planning at least 6 months before your target UK entry date.
Vietnam is not GB-listed. No waiver applies to the titre test or 90-day wait.
The DAGAH health certificate has a 10-day validity window. Time the examination carefully around your cargo booking.
Airlines
Approved carriers on this route
Airline
Notes
Type
Vietnam Airlines
Vietnam Airlines Cargo from Hanoi (HAN) or Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to London Heathrow via connections. Flag carrier. Live animal cargo service. No cabin pets on international routes.
Cargo Only
British Airways
BA World Cargo via IAG Cargo and PetAir UK. Connecting routing from Vietnam to Heathrow. No cabin pets. UK documentation support via PetAir UK.
Cargo Only
Qatar Airways
Cargo via Doha (DOH). HAN or SGN to LHR with one transit. Live animal service from Hamad International. Good frequency from both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Cargo Only
Cathay Pacific
Via HKG. Vietnam to LHR via Hong Kong. Strong live animal handling at HKG. Good Vietnam-HKG frequency.
Cargo Only
United Kingdom import rules, explained
United Kingdom runs a strict import regime, so every document is checked closely on arrival. Build your plan around the fixed waiting periods, because they set the pace for everything else.
Practical tips for this move
Keep every original document together and take copies. Border officials want originals, and a missing signature or date can hold up clearance.
Work backwards from your travel date and add a buffer. Fixed waiting periods mean a single slipped appointment can push the whole move back by weeks.
Check the airline’s crate size and labelling rules early. An undersized or wrongly labelled crate is a frequent reason pets are refused at check-in.
Ask about temperature embargoes for your travel window. Summer and winter cargo restrictions can rule out certain routes and dates entirely.
FAQ
Common questions about this route
Allow 22-28 weeks minimum. The three-month wait after the titre test blood draw is the key constraint. Add vaccination timing, DAGAH health certificate preparation, APHA Import Licence processing, and cargo booking, and a 24-week total plan is realistic.
Yes. Vietnam is not on the GB listed country schedule. A rabies titre test is mandatory. Blood must be drawn at least 30 days after a valid rabies vaccination, the result must be at least 0.5 IU/ml, and three calendar months must pass from the blood draw date before your pet can enter Great Britain.
Qatar Airways via Doha and Cathay Pacific via Hong Kong are the most commonly used options for Vietnam-UK pet moves. Both involve one transit and have established live animal handling at their hubs. Vietnam Airlines also operates on this corridor via partner connections.
No. UK law requires all pets to enter Great Britain as manifested cargo. No airline offers cabin pet travel into the UK. Your pet travels in the temperature-controlled cargo hold.
No routine quarantine applies, provided all documentation is correct and complete. If documentation is wrong or the entry does not comply with APHA requirements, penalty quarantine of up to 4 months applies at the owner’s expense.
Airline guides
Vietnam Airlines
British Airways
Qatar Airways
Cathay Pacific
Breed guides
Check breed-specific airline rules and country bans.