Hanoi has become a much easier city to live in with a dog or cat. Pet ownership has grown quickly over the past decade, and the city now has veterinary hospitals with modern diagnostics, grooming salons in most neighbourhoods and boarding options for when you travel. Quality still varies a lot, though, and English is not spoken everywhere. This guide covers the vets that expatriate pet owners rely on, what to look for in grooming and pet hotels, the main steps for bringing a pet into Vietnam, and how to find a rental home where your animal is welcome.
Veterinary Clinics and Animal Hospitals in Hanoi
A good vet is the most important part of pet care in Hanoi. Look for a clinic with in-house blood testing, X-ray and ultrasound, a clear vaccination record system and staff who can explain treatment in a language you understand. It is worth registering with a clinic soon after you arrive, so your pet already has a file if something goes wrong at night or during a holiday.
Animal Doctors International (ADI) – Tay Ho
Animal Doctors International is a veterinary group with hospitals in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, and its Hanoi branch is at 78 To Ngoc Van, Tay Ho. It is one of the clinics most often recommended in the expatriate community because consultations can be held in English and the hospital offers general practice, surgery, diagnostics and vaccinations under one roof. The group’s website lists an emergency service, which matters in a city where many smaller clinics close in the evening. Because it is the only ADI branch in Hanoi, owners living in the south or west of the city should factor in travel time across town, especially at rush hour.
PetHealth Veterinary Hospital System
PetHealth is one of Vietnam’s largest veterinary hospital chains, with more than 25 branches nationwide according to 2025 reports and several locations across Hanoi, including the Tay Ho area. Its hospitals offer examinations, vaccinations, surgery and imaging, and many branches also provide grooming and boarding, so regular check-ups and baths can be booked in the same place. Branch addresses have changed over the years, so check the list on the PetHealth website or call the hotline to find the location closest to your home. Staff at the larger branches are used to foreign clients, but it helps to bring your pet’s vaccination book and a short written summary of any medical history.
Pet Grooming, Spas and Pet Hotels in Hanoi
Grooming is easy to find in Hanoi. Most veterinary hospitals, including PetHealth branches, offer bathing, ear cleaning, nail trimming and haircuts, and national pet store chains such as Pet Mart combine retail with spa services. There are also many independent grooming shops in every district, and some offer pick-up and drop-off by scooter or car. Ask whether they use separate tables and tools for each animal, how they handle nervous pets, and whether a groomer or a vet will check skin problems such as ticks, which are common in Hanoi’s humid months.
Boarding needs more care. Before booking a pet hotel, visit in person and look at the size of the kennels or rooms, ventilation and air conditioning in summer, how often dogs are walked, and whether a vet is on site or on call. Reputable places will ask for an up-to-date vaccination record, including rabies. Demand peaks sharply before Tet (Lunar New Year) and the summer holidays, when many families leave the city, so book several weeks ahead. Expat pet owners’ groups on social media are often the quickest way to get current, first-hand recommendations for sitters and boarding.
- Bring your records: vaccination book, microchip number and any medication instructions.
- Do a trial stay: one night before a long trip shows how your pet copes and how the staff communicate.
- Agree on emergencies: confirm which vet the hotel will use and how they will contact you.
Bringing Your Pet to Vietnam
Dogs and cats can be imported into Vietnam without long quarantine, provided the paperwork is in order. Animal import and quarantine are governed by the Law on Veterinary Medicine and its implementing circulars, and the details (such as document deadlines and whether an import permit is needed for more than a small number of pets) are updated from time to time. The usual requirements are:
- Microchip: an ISO-compatible microchip, implanted before the rabies vaccination.
- Rabies vaccination: given at least 30 days before arrival and still valid on the travel date.
- Health certificate: issued by a vet and endorsed by the official veterinary authority of the departure country, shortly before travel (many airlines and agents work to a window of about 7–10 days).
- Quarantine declaration: submitted to the regional animal health office before arrival; the pet is then inspected at the airport, for example at Noi Bai, and normally released the same day if documents are complete.
Airline rules on cabin, checked baggage and cargo travel differ, and some airlines restrict snub-nosed breeds, so check with your carrier early. Many families use a pet relocation agent, which reduces the risk of a missed document. Because requirements change, confirm the current rules with the Vietnamese animal health authorities or your agent before you book flights.
Living With a Pet in Hanoi
Owners of dogs and cats in Vietnam are required by law to have their animals vaccinated against rabies, and Hanoi runs vaccination campaigns every year through local veterinary stations. In public places, dogs should be kept on a leash, wear a muzzle where required, and owners are expected to clean up after them; fines apply for breaches and enforcement has become stricter. Hanoi’s summer heat is hard on animals, so plan walks for early morning or evening and keep air conditioning or good ventilation at home. West Lake’s lakeside paths and the larger parks are popular with dog owners, but always check local rules, as some parks restrict animals.
Finding a Pet-Friendly Rental in Hanoi
Pet policies are one of the first things to clarify when you rent. Houses and villas give you the most freedom, which is why many pet owners choose properties in Tay Ho (West Lake) or compound living such as villas for rent in Ciputra Hanoi, where gardens and quieter streets suit dogs well. Apartment buildings set their own rules: some welcome small pets, others limit size or number, require animals to use the service lift, or do not allow pets at all. Serviced apartments are often stricter than privately owned units.
Before signing, ask the landlord to confirm in the lease that your pet is allowed, and agree in writing how any damage or cleaning will be handled at the end of the tenancy. Check the building’s own house rules as well, because management can enforce them even if the landlord agrees. Our list of apartment buildings in Hanoi is a useful starting point, and our team can tell you which buildings are realistic for a dog or cat before you arrange viewings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there English-speaking vets in Hanoi?
Yes. Animal Doctors International in Tay Ho is widely used by expatriates because consultations can be held in English, and staff at larger PetHealth branches are also used to foreign clients.
Is there emergency veterinary care in Hanoi?
Some hospitals offer emergency services, including Animal Doctors International. Register with a clinic early and save its emergency number so you are not searching during a crisis.
Does my pet need quarantine when entering Vietnam?
There is normally no long quarantine for dogs and cats with complete documents. Pets are inspected on arrival and usually released the same day, but you need a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination and an officially endorsed health certificate.
Is rabies vaccination compulsory in Hanoi?
Yes. Vietnamese law requires dog and cat owners to vaccinate their animals against rabies, and boarding facilities and groomers will usually ask to see the record.
Can I rent an apartment in Hanoi with a dog?
Yes, but policies vary by building and by landlord. Houses and villas are the easiest option; for apartments, confirm the building rules and get the landlord’s permission written into the lease.
When should I book a pet hotel for Tet?
Book several weeks in advance. Tet is the busiest period for pet boarding in Hanoi, and good facilities fill up early.
