Job Discussion Forums

[runninggirl]

I've a job offer but I need realistic answers about bringing my dog into Vietnam. He has been going with me for 6 years and I only go places where I can have him. I am not looking for a sa on here to tell me not to bring my dog. I am seeking advice from those who has done it or perhaps know someone who has a pet there.
Questions:
Has anyone else done so? How was customs? Renting? Any info from anyone would so be appreciated. He is small so I can carry him easily. He rides with me on the plane and is very accustomed to travel so no problem with airlines. I just want to know the protocol upon arriving, renting, vet in town? thanks

[snollygoster]

A few of my Viet friends have had dogs as pets. It usually ends in heartache as dogs are very much on the menu-especially in Hanoi. Dog napping for sale to butchers is prevalent.

There is also a very different attitude towards animals than what you cane xpect from westerners- I think there are vets, but its unlikely they would know how to treat a dog-its a food item to them.

Personally, I would NOT bring a dog to Vietnam, but I know that some people have. I just want you to have a heads up about the status of dogs in Hanoi. I hope someone who has done it can advise, but you have to guard your dog carefully.

I had one stolen by 2 policemen and eaten. So there is no help from the law.

[Joe Dolce]

It's true dogs are stolen for food or resale and the locals have take to vigilantee tactics against them.

http://www.thanhniennews.com/2010/Pages/20110716165422.aspx

If your dogs are allowed on planes I assume they are small so the chances of theft would be lower, but always be vigilant. I know of people who have had small dogs stolen. You should keep the dog on a leash at all times outdoors.

There are vets who work to western standards at western prices for major health problems and local vets who deal with dogs and cats very cheaply for the usual vaccinations, etc.

Theer may be a problem keepiong your dog in an apartment but there shouldn't be any problem with a house.

No idea about customs on arrival. You will need to check that out online. Good luck.

[CThomas]

Just take your dog with you and figure it out. It wants to go with you wherever you go, come hell or high water. That's the deal.

[charlie don't surf]

As a former dog owner, I can appreciate that you want to be with your pet. However, I also realize that being a responsible pet owner means that you need to place the interests of your dog above your own. Accordingly, bringing a dog to Vietnam is a decision that should not be taken lightly.


As far as requirements for entry into Vietnam, your dog will need to have up to date rabies and distemper vaccinations. Additionally, your dog will require a health certificate from your vet.

Upon arrival in Vietnam, an official will review your paperwork. If satisfied with the documentation from your vet (and perhaps an inconspicuous cash inducement) he and you will sign a document granting fido official entry.

There's a couple of veterinarians and a company in Hanoi that assist in streamlining this process- for a price. If you are not traveling with a Vietnamese speaker, you may want to consider such a service. The last thing you need is for your dog to be enduring a lengthy delay at Noi Bai Airport because of communication problems. Also, you want to make sure that the government official will be at the airport when your flight lands, not 3 hours after the fact. A third party will help coordinate the whole show. A simple search on the internet will provide you with the names of these vet clinics.


Keep in mind the following:

Vietnam is a rather challenging environment for pet dogs. Hanoi has some green spaces, but letting your dog off leash will result in your dog appearing on a local menu, or getting flattened by traffic. Dog-napping is also a possibility. The heat and humidity are something that will be uncomfortable for your dog, too.
While there are lots of vets in Vietnam, most deal with livestock. Their training reflects this. Still, there are some cat and dog vets to be found in Hanoi.
Unlike most Western countries, the majority of villas and apartments, will not have lawns.

Again, bringing a pet to Vietnam is something that should not be done without careful consideration.

[The Mad Hatter]

Don't bring your dog here. ! Come on. Are you trying to traumatize it? It will smell, sense, hear them being butchered, and probably even see corpses of its fellow creatures flayed and splayed out eviscerated, and roasted. Imagine if you were taken to a country where the tables were turned. You would get so much trauma you would need therapy years after. Animals arent stupid. He would have nightmares and probably take years off its life. If you care about a dog adopt one here instead. Once I saw a dog stolen. That is horrific. The thieves just dragged it down the street after their moto bike top speed by a leash it was tied up with. Poor thing stiff legged it down the street with paws on the bare pavement. I couldnt believe the callousness I was seeing. Do not bring your dog here.

[CThomas]

Edit: See follow-up post below before reading this. I'll leave this post here fyi.

I have two happy dogs here (in HCMC). No problems to report, though, admittedly I'm an easy-going person. They don't seem traumatized or even the slightest bit nervous about being a dog in Vietnam.

The only thing I've had to get used to was the vet care here; the clinics are smaller and they don't have surgery rooms, but rather do the business just near the waiting room behind a curtain. It's certainly a different situation than in the states but is sufficient. Further, vet calls to the house are cheap and no problem.

If you're coming to HCMC, I'd say go for it. Get a house with a terrace near a park. You'll find that many of your neighbors have dogs that are fat, happy, and often far along in their dog years. If you're living elsewhere than a decent district in HCMC (e.g. 1, 3, or Phu My Hung and surrounding), you might be at greater risk for encountering problems.

I've just known so many people with dogs here, including myself, who've had a jolly time, that I cannot recommend against it. I mean probably a couple of dozen people.

That said, if you tend to anthropomorphize your dogs -- that is project human characteristics onto them -- you may have a more nerve-wracking time.

Again, I believe that a dog wants to be with it's master more than anything else. It would rather be with you in a tougher situation than with someone else in a more cushy situation. You do have to make some tough decisions sometimes, though, which may include having to sever (or stretch) this bond for the dog's well being (or for your own, for that matter).

So, in any case, best wishes. If you do decide to bring your dogs, and you end up in HCMC, ping me. I'll point you to supplies and care.

[CThomas]

Argh... I just re-read this OP/thread. This is about Hanoi. I haven't had my second cup of coffee yet

[snollygoster]

Do NOT bring a dog to Hanoi. You will cry when you see Fido cut up on the butchers table. Dont think it wont happen-Its a VERY strong possibility.
Despite the health dangers of eating dogs, (not to mention the inhumanity of it), Hanoians continue to eat dog and die from encefalitis.
A dog in HCMC is a very different story.

[CThomas]

[generalgiap]

The madhatter wrote Imagine if you were taken to a country where the tables were turned. You would get so much trauma you would need therapy years after. Animals arent stupid. He would have nightmares and probably take years off its life.:


I was recently walking my dog and unfortunately we walked past a dog restaurant. My dog has not eaten for days, not a single bark and cant sleep. I need to find a small animal vet in HCMC who has experience in hypnosis and/or other therapy methods for treating dogs. If anyone knows of a vet in hcmc with a background in conducting therapy sessions for dogs, please send me a pm.

Thank you in advance[/quote]

[The Mad Hatter]

Sorry to hear about you situation with your dog having been traumatized gg.
What to do about this? Well, its a tough call. Since there is almost certainly not an animal therapist in HCMC, you would have to deal with this on your own. If you have traveler's insurance for your dog you might qualify for an emergency evac flight home where it could be treated at a modern pet therapist with proper facilities. But that is also likely not a realistic option- since most expat teachers don't even carry insurance for themselves.
So for you to take some rehabilitative measures - using traditional therapeutic de-conditioning response methods would involve going back to have your dog face the source of the trauma and anxiety and become used to it, so he realizes it is no longer a threat to him.
Therefore the best therapy would be to walk your dog up and down the same street with the dogs butcher tables, first start with just one, but gradually working up to a street with several tables, preferably on a special days where plenty of dog meat is being consumed with relish. And get your dog accustomed to this experience. That way the trauma will subside, and the fear inducing anxiety extinguished.
Unfortunately- as with so many things in Vietnam ordinary , or logical responses don't work as one would expect. As in this case since there is no way in nature, in the dog world that a dog would ever become used to this situation, not in a million years. So you're basically 'S.O.L.' on this one. You just have to live with and accept the fact that your dog is scarred for life and hopefully it will block it out of its memory. sorry and Good Luck!

[Beautiful Loser]

The dog next door sounds just fine, but I wouldn't bring one here.

[generalgiap]

Thanks for the advice Mad Hatter.

I did exactly what you stated.

However, I now have a different problem.

The first time I walked my dog past the dog restaurants there was no issue.
But the second time, the customers eating the dog meat, threw some dog bones toward my dog, and of course, it was attacking those bones like it had not eaten for a year. The next time, they started throwing dog meat at my dog and same thing, after that, one of the owners invited Fido and me to the restaurant for some free dog meat. We are now the center of attention on the dog meat restaurant street. My dog gets a free meal every time we walk by. And I am enjoying eating dog meat at least twice a week for free. We now go to the restaurant thats cooks dog meat 12 different ways, the owner provides it for free because all of the Viets want to eat near the foreigner with the dog eating dog meat. In fact, its out of control, I cant eat my dog meat in peace, every Viet wants to talk to me, they want photos of me and the dog, also videos. There was a korean news station one night who interviewed me concerning the dog meat restaurants and what my dog thinks about the dog meat. Some times there are a few foreigners walking by and they get out their camears/videos. in fact, after they talk to me, most of them sit down for a nice and delicious dog meat meal. Afterwards I am always thanked and they tell me it was one of their best holiday experiences in Vietnam. The owner of the restaurant now wants me to go there every night due to her business expanding, whenever I am there with Fido it's packed and the Viets love me and my dog. I am thinking about asking the owner to pay me 20usd per hour and all the dog meat that Fido and me can eat.

The problem now is my dog is unhappy and doesnt sleep when we dont go there.

I was thinking of asking toiyeuthitmeo if he knows of any places to eat cat in HCMC, this may help my dogs addiction of eating dog meat. Another idea, is to buy a cat and take it to the cat meat restaurants and ask for 20 usd per hour because I suspect it will be the same experience as the dog meat restaurants.

Please help!

[CThomas]