The InterPetFest 2025, Vietnam’s largest international pet festival, officially opened on February 22 in Ho Chi Minh City, featuring 250 pets dressed in unique costumes.

With the participation of 200 brands from South Korea, China, Japan, and Vietnam, this marks the first large-scale international pet event in the country.

A new era for Vietnam’s pet community

Previously, pet festivals in Vietnam were smaller in scale and mostly held outdoors. This year, InterPetFest 2025 offers a more professional setting, featuring separate competitions for amateur and professional pet owners.

The competition includes various categories, such as:

Best-looking dog and cat
Pet fashion contest
Fastest eating challenge

Among the contestants, Phuong Anh from Binh Thanh District and her American husband entered their two dogs, who have been part of their family for over 10 years.

In the pet fashion segment, each contestant had to walk the runway, showcasing their confidence, charm, and creative outfits. Owners were also encouraged to coordinate their attire with their pets to create a harmonized look.

Adding to the excitement, contestants had to present their costume ideas to the judges, explaining the inspiration behind their designs.

Some owners invested heavily, with one spending over a billion VND ($40,000) on a rare breed and its specialized care regimen to compete at the highest level.

Winning moments and creative costumes

One of the most memorable contestants was a cat wearing a lotus-inspired outfit, incorporating elements of the zodiac symbol for 2025.

The grand prize went to Bo, a cat owned by Tuan Son from Tan Binh District, who transformed into "Tam" from the famous Vietnamese folktale Tam Cam.

"Although Bo is only two years old, he has participated in multiple competitions. However, winning this award is the most significant achievement, as this competition features contestants from all over Vietnam and even abroad," shared Son.

Besides competitions, many pet owners brought their furry friends to exhibit and socialize at the event.

Ha Phuong, who owns a Standard Poodle, shared: "We’ve raised him since birth, so he’s incredibly well-behaved and attached to our family."

InterPetFest 2025 will continue for three days, featuring various pet-related activities and attracting an estimated 13,000 attendees.

Dao Phuong