The government has issued Decree No. 204/2026 regulating administrative penalties in the veterinary sector.

Under the new rules, individuals who fail to carry out mandatory disease prevention measures, including vaccination requirements and other compulsory preventive actions for animals, may be fined between VND 200,000 and VND 300,000 ($8-$12).

More significantly, fines ranging from VND 1 million to VND 2 million ($39-$77) will apply to several violations, including failure to vaccinate animals against rabies where vaccination is mandatory.

The same penalty will apply to dog owners who do not muzzle their dogs, fail to keep them on a leash or bring them into public places without a person accompanying and controlling the animal.

Under previous regulations, the penalty ranged from VND 600,000 to VND 800,000 ($23-$31).

A separate fine of VND 1 million to VND 1.5 million ($39-$58) will apply to those who fail to isolate, care for or treat animals that are sick or showing signs of disease, except in cases where treatment is prohibited or mandatory slaughter and disposal are required.

Stricter veterinary hygiene requirements

The decree also introduces penalties for veterinary hygiene violations at animal markets and animal collection facilities.

Small-scale animal markets that fail to provide wastewater and waste collection and treatment systems may face fines ranging from VND 1 million to VND 2 million ($39-$77).

Animal collection facilities may be fined between VND 2 million and VND 3 million ($77-$116) if they commit any of the following violations:

Operating in locations that are not adequately separated from residential areas, livestock farms, aquaculture zones or public facilities.

Failing to provide separate areas for different animal species.

Using equipment, tools or water supplies that do not meet veterinary hygiene standards.

Lacking measures for collecting and treating wastewater and waste in accordance with disease prevention and environmental protection regulations.

Higher penalties ranging from VND 4 million to VND 5 million ($154-$193) will apply to specialized animal markets that:

Operate in locations that do not comply with local planning regulations.

Fail to establish separate areas for different animal species.

Use equipment, tools or water that do not meet veterinary hygiene standards.

Fail to conduct required cleaning, disinfection and sanitation measures.

Do not implement proper wastewater and waste treatment systems that comply with veterinary and environmental regulations.

Organizations face double penalties

The decree specifies that all listed fines apply to violations committed by individuals.

Organizations committing the same violations will face penalties equal to twice the amount imposed on individuals.

The new regulations will take effect on August 1.

The decree is part of a broader effort to strengthen administrative enforcement across multiple sectors.

Recent policy changes have also introduced tougher penalties for a range of violations, including the dissemination of false information on social media, with fines of up to VND 50 million ($1,930) for certain offenses.

The government has also been reviewing proposals to expand enforcement powers for local authorities and police in several regulatory areas.

Tran Thuong