Choosing the right airline is one of the most consequential decisions in any international pet relocation to Vietnam. Daisy Pet Transport has compiled this carrier-by-carrier breakdown of pet transport options on airlines flying into Tan Son Nhat (SGN) and Noi Bai (HAN) — covering cabin transport (PETC), checked baggage (AVIH), and Manifest Cargo options for 2026.
For the full entry requirements behind these airline rules, see our Vietnam pet import service page.
| Category | Key Requirements & Regulatory Notes |
|---|---|
| 1. Export Process (in the departure country) | Depends on the export country: typically an ISO microchip, a rabies vaccination (at least 30 days before the flight, under 12 months old on arrival), a government-endorsed export health certificate, and an export permit where required. |
| 2. Import Process (Vietnam) | File Form 3 (Mẫu 3), the quarantine declaration, with the airport quarantine station (Sub-Dept No. I at HAN, No. VI at SGN); about 48 hours before landing is safest. It is not an import permit. The Import Animal Quarantine Certificate, Form 15a (Mẫu 15a), is issued only after the officer checks the documents, scans the microchip and examines the pet. Shipments of 3+ pets also need Form 19 (Mẫu 19) approved by Cục Chăn nuôi và Thú y first. |
| 3. Flights & Weather | Prioritize direct or short connection flights. Avoid extreme summer heat months due to airline Checked Baggage (AVIH) travel bans caused by runway heat risks. Some export countries decide the flight mode for you: Australia only lets pets leave as cargo. |
| 4. Preparation Timeline | A structured 30-day veterinary schedule executed in chronological order from Day 1 to Day 30. |
1. Veterinary Regulations for Shipping Pets to Vietnam
The most established and operationally experienced carriers for pet imports into Vietnam are the flag carriers of neighboring countries with high-frequency direct routes:
- Vietnam Airlines (VN): The national carrier is the most experienced airline for live animal import into Vietnam. Vietnam Airlines accepts pets as PETC (cabin, up to 6kg with carrier), AVIH (checked baggage, under 32kg with crate), and coordinates Manifest Cargo on selected long-haul routes. VN ground staff at SGN and HAN are specifically trained for import quarantine handover procedures. Advance reservation required at least 48 hours before departure. Accepted routes: All major international routes serving Vietnam. On flights from the UK, pets travel only as checked baggage or cargo, not in the cabin.
- Korean Air (KE): Accepts pets as AVIH checked baggage on direct Seoul (ICN) to SGN/HAN routes. Korean Air’s Incheon ground team is highly experienced with live animal handling. AVIH booking requires advance reservation; pets must comply with IATA crate standards. Cabin pets (PETC) accepted on selected routes with weight under 7kg. Routes: Seoul ICN – SGN, HAN.
- Asiana Airlines (OZ): Accepts AVIH checked baggage on direct Seoul–Vietnam routes. Advance pet booking required. Ground coordination at Incheon is professional and reliable. Routes: Seoul ICN – SGN, HAN.
- Japan Airlines (JL) / ANA (NH): Both carriers accept AVIH and Manifest Cargo on Japan–Vietnam routes (Tokyo NRT/HND, Osaka KIX to SGN/HAN). Japanese carrier ground procedures are exceptionally rigorous with strict crate inspection. Advance reservation mandatory 48–72 hours prior. Routes: Tokyo, Osaka – SGN, HAN.
- EVA Air (BR) / China Airlines (CI): Both Taiwanese carriers accept AVIH and Manifest Cargo on Taipei (TPE) to SGN/HAN direct routes. Strong live animal handling records. Neither takes pets in the cabin (service dogs only), and both refuse checked pets on certain aircraft types — check the aircraft on your specific flight. Routes: Taipei TPE – SGN, HAN.
- Bamboo Airways (QH): Its pet policy page (cabin and checked baggage, on non-stop flights operated by Bamboo only) is still online, but since August 2026 its booking site has shown almost no scheduled flights, international routes included, and its hotline is often unreachable. It may no longer accept pets in practice — verify directly before planning around it.
2. Flight Options and Tarmac Heat Risks When Shipping Pets to Vietnam
For pets relocating from Europe, the Middle East, Australia, and the Americas, the journey usually connects through a hub airport. The main exception is Vietnam Airlines, which flies non-stop to Vietnam from several European cities, including London Heathrow to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. From Russia, Vietnam Airlines flies non-stop from Moscow to Hanoi, and Aeroflot from Moscow to Ho Chi Minh City, as our guide to bringing pets from Russia to Vietnam explains. These long-haul carriers manage the animal from origin to Vietnam via their hub:
- Singapore Airlines (SQ) / SIA Cargo: Does not accept cabin pets or AVIH checked baggage on international routes. Singapore Airlines transports live animals exclusively as Manifest Cargo via SIA Cargo, with world-class handling at Changi Airport (SIN). Best for Australia, Europe, and India–Vietnam routes transiting Singapore. Hub: Singapore SIN → SGN, HAN.
- Qatar Airways (QR) / Qatar Airways Cargo: Accepts pets as AVIH checked baggage on most routes and as Manifest Cargo via Hamad International Airport (DOH). There is no cabin option for pets. Qatar Airways Cargo provides professional live animal handling at Doha. Best for Europe, UK, and Middle East–Vietnam routes. Summer heat protocols (June–September) apply at DOH. Hub: Doha DOH → SGN, HAN.
- Emirates (EK) / Emirates SkyCargo: Accepts Manifest Cargo through Dubai (DXB) for Europe, Middle East, and Australia–Vietnam routes. Summer heat restrictions at DXB (May–September) apply for live animals. No cabin or AVIH option on Emirates international flights. Hub: Dubai DXB → SGN, HAN.
- Cathay Pacific (CX) / Cathay Cargo: Accepts live animals as Manifest Cargo through Hong Kong (HKG). Strong network connecting Australia, Canada, and North America to Vietnam. Note typhoon season disruptions at HKG (July–October). Hub: Hong Kong HKG → SGN, HAN.
- Turkish Airlines (TK): Accepts live animals as checked baggage (AVIH) on selected routes and as Manifest Cargo via Istanbul (IST). A viable option for European departures, and the direct option for pets leaving Türkiye itself — see Pablo’s cargo flight from Istanbul to Hanoi. Hub: Istanbul IST → SGN, HAN.
- Lufthansa (LH) / Lufthansa Cargo: Accepts checked baggage pets (AVIH) on selected European routes. Manifest Cargo available for larger shipments via Frankfurt (FRA). Strong live animal handling record. Hub: Frankfurt FRA → SGN, HAN.
Airlines that do NOT accept pets on Vietnam routes: Qantas (no live animals internationally), Air Canada (no live animals internationally on long-haul). If your home carrier is listed here, a specialist will route your pet via a partner cargo carrier.
3. PETC vs AVIH vs Manifest Cargo: Which to Choose?
Understanding the three transport modes is critical for planning your pet’s flight to Vietnam:
- PETC (Cabin): Pet travels in a carrier under the seat in front of you. Maximum weight depends on the airline: 6kg including the carrier on Vietnam Airlines, 7–8kg on some other carriers. Best for cats and very small dogs. Lowest stress — you can monitor your pet throughout the flight. Limited to airlines and routes that explicitly accept cabin pets (Vietnam Airlines, Korean Air on selected routes; for Bamboo Airways, see the note above).
- AVIH (Checked Baggage): Pet travels in a hard IATA-compliant crate in the climate-controlled pressurized hold. Check-in alongside the owner’s regular luggage. Maximum weight varies by airline (typically 32–45kg with crate). Suitable for medium-sized dogs and large cats. Most economical option for pets that exceed cabin weight limits.
- Manifest Cargo: Pet travels as a separate cargo shipment under its own Airway Bill, handled by the airline’s cargo division. No connection to the owner’s passenger booking. Mandatory for: (1) Pets over 32kg with crate; (2) Routes operated by cargo-only carriers (SIA Cargo, Qatar Cargo, Emirates SkyCargo); (3) Brachycephalic breeds unable to travel in hold; (4) Multiple pets shipped together. More expensive but provides access to climate-controlled tarmac vehicles and specialized live animal facilities.
For a real in-cabin example, see how Tiantian, a ten-year-old Poodle, flew in the cabin from Seoul to Da Nang.
Our team evaluates your pet’s breed, weight, origin country, and preferred departure to recommend the safest and most cost-effective transport mode. See our complete cost to ship a pet to Vietnam guide for pricing across all three modes.
Last updated 18 Oct 2026
Compiled by our specialists from the regulations in force on the date above, for reference only. Rules may change after this date. Please verify with the competent authorities or contact us for the most accurate information.
