Conditions for booking services

Conditions for transporting pets in the passenger cabin

Pet type: Dogs and cats aged 10 weeks or older. Vietnam Airlines does not accept pet birds in the passenger cabin; instead, please register for pet transportation as checked baggage.

Health: Pets carried into the passenger cabin must be in good health, not sick, fully vaccinated, not emit an unpleasant odor, and not affect passengers or their possessions.

Weight: Each transport cage holds one pet, and the overall weight of the pet and cage cannot exceed 6kg. If the pet and carrier weigh more than 6kg, passengers need to register to transport the pet as checked baggage.

On each flight, the maximum number of pets that can be transported in the passenger cabin of each class of service is as follows:

  • A business class cabin on A321 aircraft can accommodate a maximum of one pet (business class cabins on A350 and B787 aircraft are not applicable);
  • A premium economy class cabin can accept up to 02 pets;
  • An economy class cabin can accept up to 02 pets.

Notes:

  • During the flight, the pets in the cabin should be kept in the transport cage and placed on the flight floor in front of the passenger seat.
  • If passengers seated in the row next to the emergency exit are not allowed to transport pets in the passenger cabin, please book the pet transportation service as checked baggage or cargo.

Conditions for transporting pets in checked baggage

Pet type: Dogs, cats aged 10 weeks or older and ornamental birds.

Health: Pets transported as checked baggage must be in good health, not sick, fully vaccinated, not emit an unpleasant odor, and not affect passengers or their possessions.

Weight: The total weight of the pet and the cage must not exceed 32kg. If the pet and cage weigh more than 32kg, passengers need to register to transport the pet as cargo.

Each flight is allowed to transport a maximum of 09 pets as checked baggage, each passenger is allowed to transport a maximum of 03 pets, and each cage can accommodate 01 pet. Particularly for ornamental birds, a pair of birds can be kept in the same cage. The birdcage must be covered with a layer of fabric.

Pets cannot be transported

  • Pregnant pets are not accepted for transportation;
  • Some dog and cat breeds are extremely sensitive to temperature, humidity, light, pressure, and sound and are vulnerable when flying. To maintain the safety of aircraft and passengers' pets, Vietnam Airlines does not accept the transportation of dog and cat breeds listed below;
  • To maintain safety, Vietnam Airlines has the right to require a Certificate of Adaptation from passengers or refuse to carry pets if the weather is excessively hot or cold;
  • The captain has the authority to move pets from the passenger compartment or checked baggage compartment to the cargo hold if they endanger passengers or flight crew. Passengers will be advised of this decision in advance and assume full responsibility for the pet's injury, illness, or death during transportation.

Special cases: Service dogs for passengers with disabilities

Passengers with disabilities are allowed to bring service dogs on board without paying an additional service fee. Advanced reservation for service dogs is required.

Service dogs need to wear a muzzle, lead or similar device throughout the flight. Service dogs must be trained to perform work or tasks for disabled owners, as well as to behave appropriately in public and obey their owners' commands. In addition, service dogs must have all of their "required documents" ready before to the flight. A service dog must sit in front of its owner-passenger.

Conditions for the transport cage

The transport cage for your pet either by checked baggage or on the cabin should meet the following requirements:

  • The space should be large enough for pets to move around, stand up, sit, and lie down comfortably and safely;
  • Should be made from plastic, metal, rigid plastic, welded metal mesh, hardwood or plywood materials;
  • The cage’s walls must be strong, and one side of the cage must have a door that is securely locked;
  • The cage's interior design should be smooth, with no burrs or sharp edges;
  • The cage's bottom should be composed of firm, sealed, waterproof material. The pet's bed should have a suitable water-absorbing material. Straw and dried grass should not be used as absorbent materials;
  • If the cage contains wheels, they must be removed or folded before the flight;
  • The cage should have a ventilation system and be airy;
  • Dimension:
    • Cages transported in the passenger cabin: The three dimensions (width, length, and height) should not exceed 35cm x 30cm x 20cm;
    • Cages transported as checked baggage: Meet checked luggage standards by ensuring that the overall length of the three dimensions (length, breadth, and height) does not exceed 158 cm.

Book the pet transport service

Service booking instructions

Passengers should contact a Vietnam Airlines branch to book the service at least 24 hours before the expected departure time.

Service charge

The pet transport service charge is based on the total weight of one transport cage and a pet animal, excluding value-added tax. Regulations and charges for transporting pets apply only to flights operated by Vietnam Airlines.

See detailed pet transport charges as checked baggage, pet transport charges in the passenger cabin or look up pet transport charges by specific itinerary.

Planning for travel

Documents required

Passengers need to prepare the necessary documents before checking in at the airport, including: An exit quarantine certificate or certificate of departure country/region, entry certificate or quarantine certificate of destination country/region, medical certificate, passport, etc. All documents should be valid.

Immigration rules for pets

Taking pets on board depends on the legal and quarantine systems of each country/region. For a more comprehensive flight experience, please familiarize yourself with the government regulations of both the departure and arrival countries.

Australian government regulations: Pets are not accepted in the passenger cabin or as checked baggage. Please visit the Australian government website for more detailed information.

United Kingdom government regulations

  • For flights to the UK: Animals are only accepted as cargo.
  • For flights departing from the UK: Animals are only allowed to be transported as checked baggage or cargo. Please visit the United Kingdom government website for more detailed information.

Passengers can refer to the immigration regulations for pets of the governments of Japan, South Korea and other countries.

Check the pet’s status

  • To board a flight, pets must obtain a quarantine certificate and a health certificate, among other things. Refer to the “required document” above.
  • Passengers should check on their pets on a frequent basis as the flight date approaches to verify that it is in good health and fit for the flight. If the pet is going by airline for the first time, passengers should consult a veterinarian to determine appropriate options.
  • Passengers should deliberately bring their pets to crowded venues to get them used to the noise and crowds.
  • Pets should not emit unpleasant odors that bother other passengers.

Counter check-in

Passengers with pets should be at the airport early to make sure having enough time to check in before the flight. Vietnam Airlines recommends passengers arrive at the airport at least two hours before their scheduled departure time.

Passengers will be instructed by Vietnam Airlines staff to sign a "Waiver of Liability" form at the airport, or they can prepare this form ahead of time by downloading the form here, filling out the details, and presenting it at the airport.

Notes: To maintain safety, Vietnam Airlines has the right to require a Certificate of Adaptation from passengers or refuse to carry pets if the weather is excessively hot or cold.

At the arrival airport

Procedures at the arrival airport depend on the regulations of each airport. Passengers transporting pets should examine the destination's information and immigration regulations in order to prepare for the appropriate procedures.