When transporting a pet by a commercial airline, it is extremely important to understand their pet policy. These policies vary between airlines. Some allow small pets to fly in the cabin and others don’t. It is important to know the answers to all your questions before making your decision to fly your pet on any commercial airline. Does Vietnam Airlines allow pets on your specific route? How much does it cost to fly a dog or cat on Vietnam Airlines? What documents will I need? What are the carrier or crate requirements for Vietnam Airlines? All your answers related to Vietnam Airlines pet policy are answered below.
Note: It is important to mention that the pet policy of the airline that operates your pet’s route will preside over the policy of the airline that owns the route. This is important to note because if the operating airline changes during your trip, then you will likely need to claim and recheck your pet on the next airline. This will cause you to clear customs and enter the layover country. You will need time and extra documentation to accommodate this process during the layover unless flying domestically.
Classes of service offered to pets by commercial airlines
- In-Cabin: Pets traveling in the cabin must fly with an adult passenger and travel in an airline compliant
carrier stowed under the seat. - Checked Baggage: Pets traveling with a passenger that are not permitted in the cabin due to size or breed can be transported as checked baggage in the cargo hold.
- Air Cargo: Unaccompanied, very large pets or pets flying to countries that require that pets enter under air cargo will travel as manifest cargo in the hold.
Can my pet fly with me in the cabin? Yes (Certain Flights)
Can my pet fly with me as checked baggage? Yes
Can my pet fly as manifest cargo? Yes
Where is Vietnam Airlines based?
Vietnam Airlines [IATA:VN] is based out of Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi and Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. Most layovers within Vietnam Airlines’ network will occur in this airport.
What countries does Vietnam Airlines fly to?
Vietnam Airlines offers service to pets to the following countries: Australia, Cambodia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States and Vietnam.
Vietnam Airlines Pet Policy – In Cabin
If your dog or cat meets the requirements listed in Vietnam Airlines’ pet policy to fly in the cabin, it will need an airline-compliant pet carrier unless you are flying with a service dog who is trained to assist you in a task required to address a physical or medical disability.
Pets allowed flown by Vietnam Airlines in the cabin
Vietnam Airlines will fly small dogs and cats in the cabin. Pets must be clean, healthy, harmless and mannerly.
Reservations
As there are limits as to the number of pets that can fly in the cabin, reservations should be made by contacting the Vietnam Airlines branch at least 24 hours prior to flight.
Age requirements
Minimum age for transport is 10 weeks of age. Dogs and cats should not weigh more than 13.2 lbs. (6 kg) including their carrier.
Pet carrier requirements
Your pet’s carrier must:
- Have adequate ventilation on at least three sides (domestic US) or four sides (international)
- Be large enough for your pet to stand up and turn around comfortably
- Be able to accommodate your entire pet. No part of your pet can extend out of the carrier
- Be able to fit under the seat in front of you
- Have a waterproof bottom and absorbent pet pad
- Have secure fasteners (heavy duty zippers are recommended)
Maximum size of carrier is 13.8″L x 11.8″W x 7.87H (35 x 30 x 20 cm). One pet is permitted per carrier. Exit row or bulkhead seats cannot be reserved when flying with a pet. Pets must remain in carriers for the duration of the flight.
Related: Selecting a pet carrier that is airline compliant
Forms required
All pets must provide proof of rabies vaccination, exit or entrance permits, health certificates and any other documentation required for their destination country.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Route restrictions
All pets flying to the United Kingdom must do so as air cargo. A Maximum of 1 pet is pers/mitted in Business Class and 2 in either Premium Economy or Economy.
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 2 hours prior to departure. Vietnam Airlines will require that pet owners complete a Waiver of Liability at check in.
Related: How to clear airport security with a pet
Pet fee
The cost to fly a pet in the cabin with Vietnam Airlines ranges between $400 and $600 and VND 5,000,000 for domestic routes. Prices to increase June 5, 2024.
Service dog policy
All service dogs may fly in the cabin at no charge. They must be trained by an organization that specializes in service dog training to provide specific tasks for a person with a mobility disability. Notice must be provided to the airline at least 48 hours prior to departure.
Service dogs must be suitably muzzled, marked, harnessed and leashed. They must fit in the space provided at their passenger’s feet without intruding on cabin operations or other passengers. They will not be seated in exit rows. They must be clean, mannerly and not show any signs of aggression toward other passengers or the flight crew.
If flights involve the United States, Department of Transportation forms must be completed and submitted at least 48 hours prior to departure. All required documentation required for the destination country must be provided at check in.
All service dogs are subject to the same requirements as regular dogs when traveling internationally.
Vietnam Airlines Pet Policy – Checked Baggage
If the size of your pet is too large to fit in an airline-compliant pet carrier, or it is a bird, it will be transported as checked baggage on Vietnam Airlines if it is flying with an adult passenger. This section of the cargo department has the same temperature and pressure as the passenger cabin.
Live animals are checked in by reservation employees and are checked in at the airport terminal. The airline will move your pet between aircraft in their fleet during layovers if the layover is not over about 3 hours in length.
Pets flown by Vietnam Airlines as checked baggage
Healthy dogs, cats and birds can be flown as checked baggage on Vietnam Airlines. A maximum of 9 pets per flight is imposed. Three pets are permitted per passenger. No pregnant pets are permitted.
Reservations
As there are limits as to the number of pets that can fly in the cabin, reservations should be made by contacting the Vietnam Airlines branch at least 24 hours prior to flight.
Age requirements
Minimum age for transport is 10 weeks of age. Dogs and cats should not weigh more than 70.5 lbs. (32 kg) including their crate.
Pet crate requirements
One pet per crate is permitted. Exception: 2 pets whose total weight is less than 30.8 lbs. (14 kg). Two birds can be transported in one cage covered with an open weave material (e.g. burlap). Maximum number of pets per flight is nine.
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Route or aircraft restrictions
All pets flying to the United Kingdom must do so as air cargo. No dogs can fly under checked baggage regulations to or from the United States.
Forms Required
All pets must provide proof of rabies vaccination, exit or entrance permits, health certificates and any other documentation required for their destination country.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet should be presented at the departure airport ticket counter in its carrier at least 2 hours prior to departure. Vietnam Airlines will require that pet owners complete a Waiver of Liability at check in.
Pet fee
The cost to fly your pet as checked baggage on Vietnam Airlines will be between $100 and $300 depending on the route. Domestic flights are VND 1,000,000.
Vietnam Airlines Pet Policy – Air Cargo
All live animals flying as air cargo travel under an airline manifest or air waybill and are tracked throughout the entire flight. The airlines are responsible for caring for your pet during layovers as well. Unlike checked baggage, pets are generally checked in and claimed at the airline’s cargo facility. This facility is located on airport grounds; however, not the terminal. Many airlines require that an agent books the transport. If you need a licensed agent to arrange your pet’s transport, send us an email at info@pettraveltransport.com.
Pets flown by Vietnam Airlines as air cargo
Small and medium mammals weight under 50 kg (not including pigs), such as goats, sheep, monkeys, dogs, cats, birds, chickens, ducks, geese weighing from 100 grams or more can be flown as air cargo on Vietnam Airlines. Larger mammals weighing over 50 kg will not be permitted. All animals covered under CITES regulations must present applicable permits. Pregnant animals are only accepted if a health certificate is available certifying that they are fit to travel without giving birth during transportation.
Reservations
Contact Vietnam Airlines Cargo to book transport for your pet as air cargo.
Pet crate requirements
All crates must conform to regulations imposed by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). For more information, see PET CRATE REQUIREMENTS.
Forms Required
Shipper’s Letter of Instruction will be completed by the transporter or their agent in duplicate.
A health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination (dogs, cats and ferrets) and all forms required for your destination country. For those pets protected by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), those permits must also be available.
The passenger assumes full responsibility and expense for complying with applicable laws, customs and/or other governmental regulations, requirements, or restrictions of the country, state or territory to and from which your pet is being transported. Upon arrival, health certificates, import permits, and other papers may be required by local authorities depending upon the route on which your pet is traveling.
Related: Regulations and forms required to import a pet to over 220 countries
Check in
Your pet will be checked in at the Vietnam Airlines cargo facility which is located on airport grounds; however, with few exceptions, not at the airport terminal.
Pet fee
The cost to transport your pet as air cargo will depend on the size and weight of your pet and its crate as well as the route it is flying.
Vietnam Airlines Pet Crate Requirements
All pet crates must conform to regulations set by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). The container must be large enough for your pet(s) to stand, turn around, and lie down. The crate must be made of fiberglass, metal, rigid plastics, weld metal mesh, solid wood or plywood.
The crate door must have a secure, spring-loaded, all-around locking system with the pins extending beyond the horizontal extrusions above and below the door. The floor must be waterproof. The crate must not have wheels attached when checking your pet. Metal hardware should be used to fasten the top and bottom halves of your pet crate together. Vietnam Airlines requires either metal or plastic threaded nuts and bolts to secure both halves of the crate.
All crates must be labeled with LIVE ANIMAL stickers and a Shipping Declaration that includes feeding and watering instructions.
Related: Is your pet’s crate IATA-compliant?
All pets should be acclimated to their crates prior to travel. This may take weeks or even months to accomplish; however it is the best thing you can do for your pet before flying.
Related: Acclimating your pet to its crate or carrier
Temperature Restrictions – Checked Baggage and Air Cargo
When temperatures rise above or drop under certain levels, commercial airlines will prohibit the transport of live animals in the cargo hold. These restrictions are implemented for the safety of your pet. It is important to note that the risk from high or low temperatures is not when your pet is airborne. The risks come during preflight holding, loading on the tarmac and taxiing to the take-off runway.
Pets will not be accepted as checked baggage or air cargo when actual or forecasted temperatures are above 85°F (29.4°C) or below 45°F (7.2°C) at any airport on the itinerary. Pets may be accepted at temperatures below 45°F with an acclimation certificate, however, no pet will be transported at temperatures lower than 20°F (-6.6°C). Vietnam Airlines calls this form a Certificate of Adaptation.
Note that the temperature restrictions for summer travel are lower for brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pets.
Cold-blooded animals are exempt from these restrictions.
Related: Why temperatures matter for pets flying in the cargo hold
Breeds Banned by Vietnam Airlines
The following breeds have been classified as brachycephalic by Vietnam Airlines and will not be accepted:
DOGS: Affenpinscher, Akita, American Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit Bull Terrier, Boston Terrier, Boxer, Brussels Griffin, Bulldog, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Chinese Pug, Chow Chow, Dogo Argentino, Dogue de Bordeaux, English Bulldog, English Toy Spaniel, French Bulldog, Fila Braziliero, Lhasa Apso, Japanese Boxer, Japanese Chin,
Japanese Pug, Japanese Spaniel (Chin), Mastiff (all breeds), Pekingese, Pit Bull, Pug, Shar Pei, Shih Tzu, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Spaniels, Tibetan Spaniel, Tosa and its mix breed, Rottweiler and its mixed breeds.
CATS: Burmese, Exotic, Himalayan, and Persian.
Private Jet Charter
Another option for pet owners who do not want their pet to fly in the cargo hold is a pet-friendly private jet charter. Your pet can fly in your lap, at your feet or beside you comfortably without being confined. We can arrange flights from anywhere in the world to anywhere you need to go on your time schedule, without the crowds or commotion of a commercial airport.
Other Information
The information published here is a guideline for Vietnam Airlines pet policy. For more airline pet policies, click the banner below.
Further Reading
How to keep your pet safe when flying in the cargo hold
Tips for airline pet travel
Requirements for a pet transiting a country by air
When do you need a pet transporter?
Routing your pet’s flight
Flying with a snub-nosed breed
More information on airline pet travel
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To the best of our ability, we ensure that recommendations given on PetTravel.com reflect the current regulations. We cannot predict how a given airline may enforce these regulations. Noncompliance may result in the need to deny your pet boarding privileges at the time of check in. We suggest that you minimize the disruptions that may occur by following Vietnam Airlines pet policy.
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