When we first began architecting our move to Southeast Asia, the logistics of visas, housing, and cargo were secondary to one looming, feline-shaped question: “What about Nymeria?” At 16 years old, Nyms isn’t just a pet, she is the Elder Stateswoman of our household. But with age comes the complexity of chronic renal disease and a deep-seated disdain for change (and her medications). Leaving her behind was never an option. So, we did what any loving pet owner would do: we treated the nearly 24-hour journey from Toronto to Saigon as a high-stakes mission.

The Paperwork Labyrinth: Canada to Vietnam

The bureaucracy of international pet travel is a game of inches. To move a complicated cat across the Pacific, you need a heck of a lot more than just a carrier...

The 30-Day Rule: Nymeria’s Rabies and FVRCP vaccinations had to be administered no less than 30 days before our departure.
The CFIA Endorsement: In Canada, your local vet’s health certificate is just the first boss. You must have those documents endorsed by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).
The Transit Loophole: We flew Korean Air direct from Toronto (YYZ) to Seoul (ICN), then to Saigon (SGN). Because we stayed airside at Incheon, no South Korean import documents were required.

Travel Tip: Don’t get caught unaware! If one does have to exit the airport with their pet for any reason during a layover, chances are very high that you will need to have import papers prepared for the country of the layover, and export documents from that country too. Always check the regulations of each stop along the way.

Managing Chronic Care at 30,000 Feet

Traveling with a renal feline adds a layer of medical complication to an already stressful environment. High-altitude dehydration is the enemy of smooth kidney function.

Tactical Medication: Nyms is notoriously difficult to medicate. We utilized a mild sedative to take the edge off the engine roar, administered via a high-value. As per the vet’s guidance, we adminisstered one dose the evening before our morning flight, once before the first flight, and a final time during the layover. In total, she had three small doses in a 40 hour window.
The In-Cabin Ecosystem: We chose a soft-sided carrier with the exact dimensions required by Korean Air (give or take a few centimeters, so long as it fits properly under the seat ahead of you, they are not terribly strict). Inside, we layered high-absorbency pee pads, which we discreetly swapped in the airplane lavatory every few hours to keep her environment pristine.
Hydration Stations: We bypassed the messy water bowl for collapsible silicone dishes, offering small amounts of water and moisture-rich renal food during the quiet hours of the flight and the Seoul layover.
The Korean Air Experience: Korean Air was exceptionally accommodating. In a world where pet travel can feel like an afterthought, their staff treated Nymeria with the quiet respect her "Executive" status deserves. If you are crossing the Pacific with a furry companion, this route is a gold standard for pet-friendly logistics.

Travel Tip: While Nyms is a very calm and quiet cat, air travel can be stressful for the best of us. Most airlines (Korean Air included) stress being mindful of your pet’s vocalization. Just like no one wants to sit next to a screaming baby, no one wants to endure a roaring dog or shrieking cat.

The Arrival: From Sterile Cabins to Saigon Humidity

Stepping out of Tan Son Nhat International Airport was a massive jolt back to reality, switching from the cool dry winter of Canada to the heavy humidity of Vietnam definitely . The transition from the pressurized air of a Boeing 787 made the floral humidity of Saigon a welcome shock to any system, human or feline.

We braced ourselves for a week of nocturnal protests and "existential dread" retreats. Instead, Nymeria delivered a masterclass in adaptability.

While Katelyn and I spent our first few days in a caffeinated haze, struggling to remember what time zone we inhabited, Nyms was already a local. Within 48 hours, she had recalibrated her internal clock to the Saigon sun, claiming the prime real estate on the windowside chair at 7:00 AM.

Despite the rigorous journey thus far, Nyms’ adventures were far from over. She still had to make the final journey to Hanoi via overnight train!

Travel Tip: When adjusting to a new time zone, one trick that always helps me get a grip is getting in some exercise. A jog, hike, hitting the gym… any sort of rigorous activity will help your body reset and get a good nights’ sleep (even if it feels like a chore).

The Feline Odyssey Continues

Midnight dragonfruit farms, as far as the eye can see!

Once Nymeria got a taste for travel, the rest went out the window. No more aversions to small accomodation or bustling environments. Now, she is a seasoned cat on the move.

The train ride from Ho Chi Minh city to Hanoi proved to be a piece of cake for the pint-sized traveler. After a day and a half in transit, there is nothing she can not accomplish!

Final Thoughts for the Traveling Expat

Whether your heading to Southeast Asia for the food, or for a little downtime, relocating anywhere with a senior pet is an act of love that requires the precision of a strategist and the heart of a companion. As Nymeria now oversees our global operations from her new headquarters in Hanoi, the stress of the paperwork fades. It turns out that home was never a coordinate on a map, it is wherever the carrier door finally opens.