Anyone travelling from Saigon (HCMC) to Zurich soon?

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1
Hi,

Is anyone flying from Saigon (HCMC) to Zurich in the next 10 days? I'm struggling to get my cat repatriated alone since the administration process in Vietnam is much more complicated than if the cat traveled with someone. I'm looking at all possible options now. I've contacted a company which deals with moving pets internationally but they warned me it could take a while (the Vietnamese vet isn't sending the necessary documents). I've done all the paper work and have the necessary permit for the cat to enter Switzerland if he travels accompanied. I'd give 500 CHF in cash at arrival in Zurich to anyone traveling with my cat back.

Thank you for passing this message on to anyone who might be interested!

2
This time last year I flew from Zurich to Saigon return (via HK on Cathay) for 535 CHF. It might be worth going to get the cat yourself if you can spare the time. Plus you'd get a "free" holiday and can bring back some coffee.

3
Thanks Adrian, I thought about it but I cannot take any days off this month + the visa would take too long to get anyway...

4
Weeeell, if you buy me the ticket, I'll happily go get the furball for ya. Just make sure I don't end up on one of those "in jail abroad" shows.

5
OMG I hadn't even thought about it!

I'm getting stressed about the conditions my cat is kept in and trying to seek every possible solution. Hopefully the moving pet company here in Switzerland will get this sorted v quickly. I had everything ready till I was told it was a different process and much more complicated to move a cat traveling alone. I wish they had told me this weeks ago. I wondered why it took so much longer and now i may have my answer. And it is much more expensive! ACE moving told me it'd be over CHF 2000 (compared to about 300 if accompanied). I wonder if they x-ray animals at airports... Poor cat, I can't wait to get it over here

6
So, what are you going to do?

7
It's currently SFr.630 on Cathay from Zurich (leaving this Sat, back Tue/Wed). If you pay for my train/flight I'll go and get it. Oh, and all the cat costs of course.

I don't need a visa.

8
Hey, get in line pal!

9
If you go, I want some coffee and a mug from Trung Nguyen please. I've now learnt that Vietnam's equivalent of Starbucks does not make dishwasher-safe mugs

10
This isn't the make-a-wish-foundation, do you have coffee and fancy coffee mug money?

On a more serious note, if you want to go, just go ahead. You've been to Vietnam before and probably know your way around better than I do.

11
We should both go, just to ensure the cat's complete safety.

12
I absolutely concur.

Alright, Steph, or whatever your name is, 2 round-trip business class tickets to Saigon and back..nonsmoking please. And a little pocket change for some decent accommodation and entertainment.

13
If you guys want a bodyguard and ninja cat-ear tickler to come along then pick me up in Valletta.

14
Is the cat stuffed? If so, with what?

15
Alright Steph, make that 3 roundtrip tickets...business class and a little pocket change for liquor, codeine and some decent hotel suites.

16
'Nam

You weren't there man, your weren't there.

(Except I was, 12 years ago, before things go commercial)

17
Got a quote from ACE moving this morning (below), there is no way I can afford this (I'm not a big earner) . I'm ready to pay for a plane ticket and visa (you do need a visa to enter Vietnam though!). I'm looking for someone who is already in Vietnam and traveling back as it'd solve the visa problem.

If anyone has any helpful ideas please let me know:

QUOTE BASED ON :

- 1/one cat * Em Oi *, DSH, 9 years

- 1x travel crate

- Collection from boarding in Ho Chi Minh City

- Issuance of commercial EU veterinary certificate endorsed by USDA (within 48 hours)

- Airfreight from on Emirates from Ho Chi Minh City via Dubai to Zurich

- complete import handling and all airport charges ( not including actual VAT on value of cat & transport charges)

- Travel during weekdays, regular business hours

CHARGES :

CHF 3300.00 Travel crate

Collection from boarding in Ho Chi Minh City

Arrange EU-health certificate (Government Endorsement) including veterinary check prior the departure

Flight booking, cargo customs, clearance and tender the cat to the flight

Airfreight from Ho Chi Minh airport to Zurich, airport including fuel and security charges

CHF 0315.00 Import handling, customs clearance, documentation

CHF 0007.00 Arrival fee Zurich Airport

CHF 0108.00 Border vet inspection – TRACES/GVDE arrival on commercial EU certificate

CHF 0105.00 Transfer to BIP

CHF 0150.00 Live animal station fee ZRH

_ _ _ _ _ _

CHF 3985.00 Total costs from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to Zurich, Switzerland (door-to-airport)

For commercial imports (change of ownership), shipment must be registered in TRACES and CVED document must be issued from country of origin.

Commercial import of kittens are subject to 8% VAT customs taxes (based on price paid, transport cost and import fees).

Rates subject to change without prior notice.

Our terms and conditions can be found on our website: http://www.acepetmoving.com/en/services.html

EXCLUSIVE:

- Surcharge for arrival on Saturday, Sunday, public holiday and out of office hours

- Change in cost if collection from another residence

- Customs import taxes (for commercial imports and pets in owner's possession less than 6 months)

- Boarding (if required)

18
Not everyone needs a visa. I didn't need one last year (although I did the year before). I know this will sound harsh, but ... get another cat?

http://vietnamembassy.org.uk/index.p...n=p&ct=Notice6

19
You're right, I had no idea I just checked and it changed from the times I lived there. That's great news. Anyone interested??

20
If you want to find someone already living in Vietnam (or already there) and about to fly back to Switzerland then I recommend posting in an expat forum out there. Do you use Facebook? Maybe reach out to a bigger audience in case someone is already planning a trip to Vietnam hence you'd only need to pay the cat costs and a small amount of cash to cover their hassle.

I'm willing to go, but as you'd need to pay all the cat costs and all my costs upfront (economy flight is fine lol) I don't think you'd end up saving that much, with the peace of mind of just having it done officially.