Vietnam Airlines Pet Policy

Vietnam Airlines accepts the carriage of small pets (dogs and cats) in the aircraft cabin and larger/other pets as checked or cargo baggage. Depending on how your pet is travelling, you must book your pet 24 – 36 hours before departure by calling the Vietnam Airlines office in your city (online reservations are not accepted). Service animals (dogs) are allowed to travel for free in the aircraft cabin with deaf and blind passengers. 

In-Cabin Pet Policy

Vietnam Airlines allows the carriage of pets in the passenger cabin (PETC service) under the following conditions:

• Pets Allowed. Only domesticated dogs and cats. However, service dogs (with kennel and food) are allowed to travel free of charge with deaf and blind passengers.
• Pet Weight. Must not exceed 13.2lb/6kg (incl. pet carrier).
• Pet Carrier/Kennel
  • Must not exceed 35cm x 30cm x 20cm in size.
  • Must be spacious enough for your pet to stand up, lie down, and turn around. 
  • Must be made of metal, rigid plastic, fiberglass, solid wood/plywood, or welded metal mesh.
  • Must be solid with a smooth interior and no sharp edges/protuberances to risk injury to your pet. 
  • The floor must be solid and leakproof. 
  • Must be properly ventilated. 
  • Must be securely locked.
  • Must be placed on the aircraft floor in front of your seat. 
• Pet Age. Must be at least 10 weeks old.
• Pet Reservations. You must book at least 36 hours before departure:
  • Call Vietnam Airlines office in your city.
  • Visit a Vietnam Airlines ticketing office in your city.
• Pet Health
  • Must be in good health and free of communicable diseases. 
  • Must be properly vaccinated.
  • Must be odor-free. 
  • Must not be pregnant. 
• Pet Documents.
  • Valid rabies and vaccination certificates. 
  • All documentation required by the countries of entry/transit/exit.
• Pet Restrictions
  • Aircraft Restrictions. Pets will not be accepted in Business Class on Boeing B787 and Airbus A350 aircraft.
  • Breed Restrictions
    • Aggressive dog breeds will not be accepted on any flight.
    • The following snub-nosed (brachycephalic) dog and cat breeds will not be accepted on VN flights: 

• Pet Fees

Pets as Checked Baggage 

Vietnam Airlines allows the carriage of pets as checked baggage (AVIH service) under the following conditions:

• Pets Allowed
  • Only dogs, cats, and birds are accepted. 
  • Other animals must travel as cargo baggage.
• Pet Weight. Pets travelling as checked baggage must not exceed 70lb/32kg (incl. pet cage). 
• Pet Carrier
  • Must be IATA approved. 
  • Must be roomy enough for your pet to stand up, lie down and turn around.
  • The sides must be solid and one of the sides must be openable and securely locked. 
  • The carrier’s interior must be smooth with no sharp edges/protuberances that can cause injury to the pet. 
  • The floor must be solid and leakproof. 
  • Wheels (if any) must be removed before the flight.
  • Must be properly ventilated
  • Only 1 pet per carrier is permitted.
    Exception. 2 birds of similar weight and size are allowed in one container. 
  • Bird containers must be covered by a muslin curtain.
• Pet Reservations. You must book your pet at least 24 hours before departure by:
  • Phone at the VN office in your city.
  • Visiting a ticketing office near you.
• Pet Health
  • Must be healthy, free of communicable diseases, and properly vaccinated. 
  • Must not discharge offensive odor, cause harm to others, or damage the aircraft/luggage. 
  • Must not be pregnant.
• Pet Documents
  • Contact the destination country’s quarantine office, or consulate/embassy to check the country’s requirements, such as quarantine certificates, import/export permits, health certificates, rabies immunization reports, etc.
  • You will be required to fill out and submit a Waiver of Responsibility form at the check-in counter. 
• Pet Restrictions
  • Breed Restrictions. Refer to Breed Restrictions in the section above (snub-nosed dogs and cats will not be accepted for health reasons).
  • Temperature Restrictions. Your pet may be refused boarding if the runway temperature exceeds 84°F (29°C) degrees at the departure airport. If the temperature is below 45°F (7°C) at departure time, you may be required to submit an Acclimation Certificate prepared by your pet’s vet confirming that your pet is acclimated to lower temperatures.
• Pet Fees 

Vietnam Airlines applies special baggage charges/pet fee for transporting pets as checked baggage. The per-container pet fees, depending on your route, are as follows:

Pets as Cargo Baggage

If your pet is too large or heavy to travel as checked baggage, i.e., it exceeds 70lb/32kg in weight or is other than a dog or cat, you can transport it as cargo baggage, subject to the conditions below:

• Your pet must have a valid health certificate.
• You must have valid CITES permits for your pet if it is listed in groups I, II, and III in of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) and is travelling on an international flight.
• Your pet must have a domestic transport permit issued by Vietnam’s Forestry Branches of Provinces and Cities if it is a wild animal (other than cattle or poultry) captured and raised on a special farm and is carried on a domestic flight within Vietnam.
• Your pet must be accompanied by the following documents:
  • Shipper’s Letter of Instruction (SLI).
  • 2 completed and signed copies of the Shipper’s Certification for Live Animal
    (not required for live seafood).
• For more information or to book your pet, contact the Vietnam Airlines Cargo Office or an authorized sales agent at the numbers below:

Service Animals Policy

Vietnam Airlines accepts service animals (dogs only) accompanying disabled passengers (blind or deaf) both in the cabin or as checked baggage free of charge. This is in addition to the passenger’s free baggage allowance for Vietnam. 

• Food and kennel can be carried free of charge. 
• The service dog must sit on the floor in front of the passenger. 
• Advance reservations are a must. 
• The passenger must produce the following at the Vietnam check-in desk:
  • Valid health certificate and immunization reports. 
  • Entry/import/export permits.
  • Training certificate (may also be required)