Pet Transport from Vietnam to Italy: EU Titre Test and Hub Connections

Italy does not add requirements beyond the EU standard for pets from Vietnam. The full process: ISO microchip (implanted before or same day as first vaccination); rabies vaccination primary course (21-day wait from initial vaccination); FAVN or ELISA titre test at an EU-approved laboratory (result 0.5 IU/ml or above, blood draw at least 30 days after final vaccination); mandatory 90-day wait from blood draw date; EU-format AHC from MARD-authorised official vet in Vietnam, endorsed by DAH, issued within 10 days of EU entry. No quarantine on arrival for compliant pets. Source: EU pet travel regulations, ec.europa.eu.

Italy does restrict certain dog breeds from import. American Pit Bull Terriers are banned. Some other breeds classified as potentially dangerous may require additional documentation or face restrictions in certain Italian regions. If your dog is a breed that might fall under Italian breed restrictions, check with the Italian Ministry of Health (salute.gov.it) before making travel arrangements.

Because no direct cargo flights operate between Vietnam and Italy, all routings involve a European hub. The most practical options are: Air France from SGN/HAN to Paris CDG, with connecting cargo to Rome FCO or Milan MXP (CDG is the EU entry point); Lufthansa from Vietnam via FRA to Rome FCO or Milan MXP (FRA is the EU entry point); KLM from SGN/HAN via Amsterdam AMS to Rome FCO or Milan MXP (AMS is the EU entry point).

The EU entry point matters for your AHC documentation. For EU pet travel purposes, the first EU entry point is where the AHC is presented to border authorities. If your pet enters the EU at Paris CDG before connecting to Rome, the AHC should be prepared for French entry. In practice, a specialist pet transport agent will know which entry point the AHC should reference for your specific routing. Confirm this before the documentation is issued by the MARD-authorised vet.

Vietnam-to-France benefits from Air France direct cargo from SGN/HAN to CDG. If your final EU destination is France, this is the simpler option: one carrier, one entry point. Vietnam-to-Italy requires a connection, as no direct Vietnam-Italy cargo services exist. If your destination is Rome, the Air France SGN/HAN to CDG routing with connecting cargo to FCO is the most common, meaning CDG (France) is the EU entry point.

The requirements are identical. The practical difference is an extra cargo leg for Italy and the need to manage the EU entry point documentation carefully. For owners specifically relocating to Italy, this is manageable with a specialist agent. For owners with flexibility between France and Italy, France has a simpler routing from Vietnam.