Bringing your dog to Vietnam: DAH import permits, rabies requirements and what expats relocating to Ho Chi Minh City need to know

Vietnam receives a large and growing cohort of expatriates each year — technology companies, manufacturers, NGOs, diplomatic staff, and English-language teachers — many of whom bring or adopt dogs. Ho Chi Minh City's Thao Dien and Phu My Hung communities have well-established infrastructure for expat dog owners, and the import process, while involved, is well-charted by the HCMC relocation community. Bringing a dog to Vietnam is entirely achievable. The requirements are, however, non-trivial, and the consequences of arriving at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) with incomplete documentation can be severe: your dog may be held in quarantine at your expense, returned to your country of origin, or refused entry.

This guide covers: the DAH import permit process, microchip and vaccination requirements, the health certificate, airline options, the 14-day observation period, costs, and the critical difference between importing to Vietnam (relatively straightforward) versus exporting FROM Vietnam to a rabies-free country (significantly more demanding). Read it in full, then consult DAH/MARD and a pet relocation professional.

Step 1: The DAH import permit — start 4–6 weeks before departure

All dogs entering Vietnam require a DAH (Department of Animal Health) import permit, obtained before departure. The permit is issued by the DAH Regional Animal Quarantine Sub-Department at the port of entry — for Ho Chi Minh City, this is the Sub-Department of Animal Quarantine at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). The application must be submitted by the importer (the owner or their designated pet relocation agent in Vietnam) in advance of the dog's arrival.

The import permit application requires: a description of the dog (breed, age, sex, colour, weight), the dog's ISO 15-digit microchip number, proof of current rabies vaccination, and the intended port of entry. The permit specifies the entry conditions and is essential for clearing customs and the DAH quarantine check on arrival. Do not purchase flights for your dog before receiving written confirmation of permit approval.

Step 2: ISO microchip — the universal requirement

Your dog must have an ISO 11784/11785-compliant 15-digit microchip implanted before any vaccinations are recorded for the import process. The chip must be implanted before (or on the same date as) the rabies vaccination that counts toward the import requirements. If your dog was chipped after its most recent rabies vaccination, that vaccination may not count — you may need a new vaccination date post-chip. Verify your chip's ISO compliance with your home-country vet. If your chip is a non-ISO 10-digit chip (common in some older US chips), it will not be readable by Vietnamese DAH equipment and must be replaced or supplemented.

Step 3: Rabies vaccination — current and documented

Vietnam requires dogs to have a current rabies vaccination. The specific requirements (minimum age, time after vaccination, titre testing requirements) vary by country of origin and are set by DAH/MARD. For dogs from most Western countries, Singapore, Australia, and Japan, a current rabies vaccination record (within the validity period declared on the vaccine manufacturer's data sheet, typically 1–3 years depending on vaccine type) is the minimum. Confirm current requirements with DAH and your vet before departure.

An important clarification: Vietnam does NOT require a Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test (RNATT) for dogs entering FROM most countries — the RNATT is primarily required for export FROM Vietnam to rabies-free countries. However, confirm this with DAH at the time of your permit application as requirements can change.

Step 4: Official health certificate — from a government-accredited vet

Your dog must have an official veterinary health certificate issued by a government-accredited veterinarian in your country of origin, typically endorsed (apostilled or countersigned) by your national animal health authority. The certificate confirms the dog is healthy, free of signs of infectious disease, has a current rabies vaccination, is microchipped, and meets Vietnam's import health requirements. The health certificate must be issued within a limited window before departure — typically 7–10 days. Confirm the current required format with DAH/MARD and your home-country authority.

Step 5: Airline selection and in-cabin vs. cargo

Airline options for bringing dogs to Vietnam vary significantly. Most dogs are transported as excess baggage in the cargo hold (in an IATA-approved crate) rather than in-cabin. Small dogs (typically under 5–8 kg including crate, depending on airline) may qualify for in-cabin travel on some carriers.

For dogs flying from Australia or New Zealand to Vietnam, the absence of commercial airline pet acceptance on direct or hub routes may require using a specialised airfreight pet relocation service (such as Dogtainers, Jetpets, or other IATA-registered cargo agents). These services handle all documentation and cargo booking and are often the preferred route for large dogs regardless of airline policy.

Arrival at Tan Son Nhat Airport: the DAH quarantine check

On arrival at Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN), your dog will be directed to the DAH Animal Quarantine Sub-Department for document verification. Present your DAH import permit, official health certificate, microchip certificate, and rabies vaccination record. DAH officers will verify the microchip number matches your documentation. If all documents are in order, the inspection typically takes 30–60 minutes, after which you can proceed with your dog.

Vietnam does not operate a mandatory government quarantine facility for dogs from low-risk countries arriving with full documentation (unlike Australia's mandatory 10-day quarantine or New Zealand's 10-day facility period). However, DAH requires a 14-day observation period at the owner's home address, during which the dog should not be taken to public dog parks or socialising events. Your home becomes the quarantine facility. DAH may conduct an inspection visit during this period. Keep a daily log of your dog's health status during the 14-day period.

Costs: budget for your dog's relocation to HCMC

In Vietnamese dong: the DAH fees and local inspection costs will be quoted in VND. Exchange rate at July 2026: approximately 25,000 VND = 1 USD. Budget generously and obtain current quotes — costs vary significantly by route and circumstance.

Exporting your dog FROM Vietnam: the hard part

This is where Vietnam's non-rabies-free status has its largest practical impact. If you relocate to HCMC and then move on to Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan, the UK, or other rabies-controlled countries, your dog will face significantly more demanding export requirements — potentially including rabies titre testing (RNATT) and mandatory quarantine in the destination country.

• Australia: Dogs leaving Vietnam for Australia require an RNATT (Rabies Neutralising Antibody Titre Test) showing adequate immunity (≥0.5 IU/mL), a waiting period after the titre test is conducted, treatment for parasites, and mandatory 10-day quarantine at an Australian Government Quarantine Station (currently Mickleham, Victoria). The RNATT must be conducted at an approved laboratory and can take weeks to process. Start preparation 6+ months before departure. Source: DAFF Australia (agriculture.gov.au).
• New Zealand: Similar requirements to Australia, with New Zealand's own pre-import conditions including RNATT, a minimum waiting period post-RNATT, treatment records, and potential quarantine. Start 6+ months in advance. Source: MPI New Zealand (mpi.govt.nz).
• Singapore: Dogs from Vietnam require a DAH export health certificate, RNATT, and compliance with AVS/NParks import conditions. Singapore maintains strict biosecurity; requirements include advance import permit approval. Source: AVS Singapore (nparks.gov.sg/avs).
• Japan: Dogs from Vietnam require a rabies titre test, waiting period, and compliance with MAFF Japan import conditions. The process typically takes 6–8 months minimum from commencement. Source: MAFF Japan (maff.go.jp/aqs).
• United Kingdom: Dogs from unlisted (non-approved) countries — which may include Vietnam depending on current APHA classification — face stringent requirements including RNATT, microchip, tapeworm treatment, and airline carrier restrictions. Check APHA UK (gov.uk/bring-pet-to-great-britain) for current Vietnam classification.

Post-arrival: setting up life with your dog in HCMC

After the 14-day observation period is complete, the priorities are: (1) register your dog with your local ward People's Committee under Decree 90/2017/ND-CP, presenting your rabies vaccination certificate; (2) register with a regular HCMC vet and schedule a full health check, establishing your prevention protocol (monthly heartworm, tick, and flea prevention; annual rabies vaccine; regular deworming); (3) connect with the HCMC expat dog community — the Saigon Expat Dog Owners Facebook group and VAWO events are good entry points.

For a full guide to daily life with a dog in HCMC — including district recommendations, dog-friendly cafes, Thao Dien and Phu My Hung walks, and motorbike transport — see the PawHub HCMC Dog Owner's Guide. For the complete health and prevention protocol for HCMC's tropical climate, heartworm risk, and rabies awareness requirements, see the PawHub HCMC Dog Health Guide.

Pre-departure checklist: bringing your dog to Vietnam

• 6+ months before: If exporting TO Australia, NZ, Singapore, or Japan after Vietnam, begin export planning immediately. Consult a relocation specialist.
• 2–3 months before: Verify ISO 15-digit microchip is implanted and functioning. Confirm chip number matches all documents.
• 2–3 months before: Verify rabies vaccination is current and will remain valid for the entry date. If a booster is needed, schedule it well in advance.
• 4–6 weeks before: Apply for DAH import permit through MARD/DAH Vietnam or your relocation specialist. Do not book flights until permit is confirmed.
• 4–6 weeks before: Book airline cargo space or confirm pet-in-cabin eligibility. Large dogs: contact a freight pet relocation specialist.
• 2 weeks before: Purchase or prepare IATA-compliant travel crate. Begin crate familiarisation training.
• 7–10 days before: Schedule official veterinary health check and health certificate with your home-country government-accredited vet. Book government endorsement appointment.
• Day of departure: Ensure all documents are originals (not photocopies where originals are required): DAH import permit, official health certificate, vaccination records, microchip certificate. Carry a copy of all documents separately from the originals.
• On arrival at SGN: Proceed to DAH Animal Quarantine Sub-Department. Have all documents ready. Expect 30–60 minutes for processing if documents are complete.
• Days 1–14 in HCMC: Home observation period. Daily health monitoring. Contact vet immediately if any symptoms appear.
• Day 14+: Register with ward People's Committee. Establish HCMC vet relationship. Begin monthly prevention protocol.