A cute, black dog on a gorgeous, white beach. Photo by Chloe Do.

Just a couple of cool cats. Photo by Chloe Do.

Across the country, expats and citizens are exploring Vietnam with their furry friends. From splashing in tropical shallows to howling from the dashboard of a motorbike, dogs, cats, and other animals continue to make adventures in Vietnam even more memorable. For this month, the Vietnam Times photo series features photos of the nation’s pets, enjoying the summer sun.

A dainty cat named Meo. Photo by Valerie Mai.

Valerie Mai, a fellow writer for the VNT, had a brief “interview” with her beloved, white cat. While her pet remained pretty quiet, Valerie’s mother is happy to speak on the cat’s behalf, who she named “Meo.”

“When I asked my mom why she named the cat ‘Meo,’ she told me that when she asked for his name, he said ‘meo,’” explains Valerie. “Apparently, you cannot argue with an Asian mom’s logic.”

Friendly homestay guadians in Hoa Binh. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

A Hanoian keeps her dog cool on a hot, summer day. Photo by Quynh Nga Phung.

A cute little pup explores its Hanoian home. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

A dog roaming Phu Quoc's north beach. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

A quite fashionable poolside pup. Photo by Yaya Buis.

A dog enjoy an evening bath during a Phu Quoc sunset. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

The dogs of Vietnam are as unique as the country itself. There are four major dog breeds that originate in the most remote corners of Vietnam, from the wild, mountainous north to the sunny, tropical isles in the south. These dogs befriended the ancient Vietnamese and assited them in hunting, scouting, and protecting the family.

The Lài breed are excellent hunting dogs that helped ancient people track down prey. This breed has a very interesting lineage. These dogs were brought by ancient civilizations to Australia, where they became undomesticated. Over time, they evolved into the Australian dingo. For that reason, the Lài breed is known as the Indochinese Dingo.

With a furry coat and forever wagging tail, the Bắc Hà breed is a staple of the H'mong ethnic group. This dog is perfect for running through Northern Vietnam's vast mountain ranges, as this creature has quite the agility. Additionally, the H'mong Docked Tailed Dog breed is another dog domesticated by the H'mong. Extremely loyal, these creatures are often given jobs with military or border patrols.

Phu Quoc is home to the final Vietnamese dog breed; the Phu Quoc Ridgeback. With its webbed feet, this sleek canine enjoys swimming in the tropical rivers and white, sandy beaches of Vietnam's most popular island.

The unbreakable bond between a dog and its owner. Photo by Le Vu Cong.

A cat, resting under ancient tools. Photo by Le Vu Cuong.

While there have been major changes in pet culture in Vietnam, there has always been Vietnamese people who deeply cared for their pets, treating them like treasured members of the family.

Nowadays in Vietnam, pets are a common sight. On every other motorbike in the crowded streets of Hanoi, a cat or dog can be found, chilling in a backpack or happily running beside the vehicle. As Vietnam progresses, foreign breeds like immense Alaskan Malamutes have become a status symbol, signaling wealth and prominence.

A mother dog, posing in the forested villas of Soc Son. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

Exploring the Vietnamese wilderness with a furry friend. Photo by Chloe Do. .

A dog looks for food on the dusty backgrounds of Hanoi's Banana Island. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

Dogs, guarding the rice fields of Pu Luong. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

A seaside pup enjoying a fish. Photo by Glen MacDonald.

Laws protecting pets are quite new in Vietnam. For example, the Law of Animal Husbandry, first decreed in 2018, stipulates that pet owners must have their animals vaccinated against rabies, thereby curbing the nation’s rabies issue. While this is a much-needed start, animal rights experts believe Vietnam can do more to support the nation's precious pets.

While pets in Vietnam still face multiple challenges, such as the horrid dogmeat trade, various organizations are ensuring the rights of pets are being protected. As the government continues to work with these organizations in the name of animal rights, Vietnam looks to be an even better place for pets in the coming years.

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