Bringing a dog or cat from Ireland to Vietnam
Under Vietnam's rules, pets from Ireland are in the group “All countries (up to 2 accompanied pets)”. A dog from Ireland needs a microchip, a rabies vaccine and an official health certificate. There is no quarantine if every rule is met. There is no long waiting period, so a few weeks of preparation is usually enough.
About Vietnam: One of the easier destinations. Up to 2 pets travelling with their owner are registered directly with the animal quarantine office at the border gate on arrival, with no import permit and no titer. You need an official health certificate and a valid rabies vaccination.
All countries (up to 2 accompanied pets) Paperwork only
- Titer test
- Not required
- Wait after blood test
- —
- Import permit
- Not required
- Quarantine
- None if rules are met
No long wait: Australia's DAFF says rabies vaccination at least 30 days before departure. Circular 25/2016 itself sets no interval.
Step by step
Microchip and vaccinate
Microchip the pet and record the number on the rabies certificate. Give rabies vaccine at least 30 days before departure (DAFF guidance) and make sure it is still valid on arrival.
Get an official health certificate
The export country's government vet certifies the pet is healthy, free of contagious disease and from an area not quarantined for rabies. The USDA certificate for Vietnam is valid 30 days from issue to departure.
Register at the border gate
On arrival, declare the pet to the animal quarantine office at the airport. They check documents, examine the pet and issue a Certificate of import quarantine.
No fixed quarantine. The border quarantine office checks the health certificate, examines the pet and vaccinates it if needed. Pets suspected of disease are sampled, and pets with dangerous infectious diseases are destroyed. If the foreign certificate is invalid, the pet is seized pending resolution.
Good to know
- Cats
- Same as dogs
- How many pets
- 2 animals per passenger without prior DAH registration (Circular 25/2016 Art. 10). More requires DAH registration.
- Parasite treatment
- None specified
- Arrival
- International airports and border gates with an animal quarantine office (e.g. Hanoi Noi Bai, Ho Chi Minh City Tan Son Nhat, Da Nang). Check with the airline whether the pet can fly in the cabin or must go as cargo.
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to bring a dog from Ireland to Vietnam?
Ireland counts as "All countries (up to 2 accompanied pets)" for Vietnam. There is no rabies blood test or long wait. Australia's DAFF says rabies vaccination at least 30 days before departure. Circular 25/2016 itself sets no interval. Allow a few weeks for the vet visits and the health certificate.
Does my pet need a rabies titer test to travel from Ireland to Vietnam?
No. Pets from Ireland do not need a titer test for Vietnam if the other rules are met.
Will my pet be quarantined in Vietnam?
Not if every rule is met. No fixed quarantine. The border quarantine office checks the health certificate, examines the pet and vaccinates it if needed. Pets suspected of disease are sampled, and pets with dangerous infectious diseases are destroyed. If the foreign certificate is invalid, the pet is seized pending resolution.
Do I need an import permit?
No import permit is needed for pets from Ireland.
Are the rules the same for cats?
Same as dogs
Sources
Checked against official sources on 2026-10-28. Full rules: Vietnam pet import rules.