Vietnam Packing List: How to Pack Smarter
Whether you are a seasoned globetrotter or a first-time international traveler, there is one thing that shortens the gap between you and a stress-free trip in Vietnam: a perfectly packed suitcase. This essential Vietnam packing list prepares you well for traveling to the country where sudden rain showers may make you stand in awe.
It is strongly recommended that you should check the best time to travel to Vietnam before you plan a trip. However, everyone knows nothing is unpredictable like the weather. Prepare a good Vietnam packing list to facilitate your vacation even in unfavorable weather conditions. Don’t ruin everything just because you forget something at home. Here are some tips on how to pack everything you need for your next vacation in Vietnam.
Overall travel packing tips
Check out a traveler’s guide to weather and climate in Vietnam. You should keep in mind that you are going to the country where heat and humidity are the norm, and be prepared for lots of rain during the monsoon. As a rule of thumb, lightweight, loose-fitting clothes will make you feel comfortable whether it rains or not.
♣ Make a Vietnam packing list: For peace of mind that have all the essentials covered, create your own packing list or just download the travel checklist to see what items you need to pack or already packed.
♣ Choose the right packing method: Most travelers agree that rolling clothing can help reduce creases and wrinkles, especially for satin and silk items. Once you have rolled everything, put paints and tops in your suitcase before shoes and accessories.
♣ Place heavy items at the base: Things like shoes and books should be placed by the wheeled end of your suitcase. That will keep things stable when your suitcase is upright.
♣ Avoid over-packing and under-packing: Just leave enough space for souvenirs to bring home from Vietnam, too much empty space will cause items to be shifted or broken. Also, avoid over-packing as it can create creases.
♣ Dress up your suitcase: Label your suitcase with luggage tags. You can also decorate it with ribbons or stickers to easily spot it among its identical neighbors.
♣ Pack good hand luggage: Make sure that your valuables are in your hand luggage. It is good to pack a spare change of clothes in your hand luggage just in case of lost checked baggage.
» See more on Vietnam Travel Tips: Know Before You Go
Essential Vietnam packing list
Here are Vietnam travel essentials you should prepare to cover all your needs whether you opt for a day tour in Ho Chi Minh City, a shore excursion in Nha Trang or a multi-day tour best of Vietnam. Happy packing now.
1. Documents
Always place your documents in your carry-on luggage for easy access at any time and avoid the risk of loss with your checked baggage. Make photocopies of all these documents and consider emailing a close family member as backup.
♦ Passport/ Visa
For first-time or absent-minded travelers, a passport and visa are the things to remind yourself first. Ensure that your passport is valid at least 6 months before the date of arrival in Vietnam. In addition to a valid passport, there are other important documents you should bring. Check if you need a visa to enter Vietnam or not. See guide to Vietnam Travel Visa.
♦ Boarding pass/ Tickets for airline, boat, train, bus
More and more travelers use online tickets as they’re super convenient. However, it is better to print it all out just in case you lose your phone or you run out of phone charge. Check with your airline whether you can check-in before you arrive at the airport.
♦ Travel insurance documents
Ensure your travel insurance documents are in date and cover Vietnam and the activities you plan to do during your trip. Reputable trip insurance providers include Alllianz and Travel Guard.
» See more on 10 Tips for Your First Trip to Vietnam
2. Health
Your safety is always important in any circumstance. It is unnecessary to pack the whole first-aid kit in your bag, just prioritize your personal medical essentials.
♦ Medications
If you require daily medications or just need something for better sleep, make sure to pack them all in your carry-on. You may also need copies of all your prescriptions, cold and flu medicine, travel sickness medicine, allergy medicine, eye drops, anti-itch cream, band-aids, etc.
♦ Insect repellent
Mosquito bites are not only painful and uncomfortable but can cause serious illnesses such as Dengue fever or malaria. If you travel to the Mekong Delta or anywhere else during Vietnam rainy season, a good mosquito repellent will save you from irritating bites.
♦ Medical masks
Masks help you travel safely amidst pandemic like COVID-19. At any place where you feel hard to breathe due to air pollution or any undesirable condition, feel free to put on a mask. In Vietnam, there is no form of face mask discrimination. Just do anything to protect your health and keep on going.
♦ Hand sanitizer
Some travelers even say most food poisoning cases are caused by dirty hands rather than the food itself. Keeping your hands free from germs is essential to experience the best food experiences in Vietnam. You will find this item extremely useful when you are going to enjoy Vietnamese street food. See more on Must-Try Dishes in Vietnam.
3. Toiletries
Remember that much of what you need can be purchased when you arrive. You just need to pack the absolute necessities, including your skin-care routine kit. Make sure to bring enough for your stay.
Most hotels in Vietnam offer shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toothpaste, toothbrush, etc. However, if you still have free space, feel free to pack your favorite brands. Make sure to put any liquid in Ziploc storage bags. Here are some items in the Vietnam packing list that you may need.
♦ Shampoo/ Conditioner
♦ Toothpaste and toothbrush
♦ Facial wash/ Facial moisturizer/ Lotion
♦ Baby wipes
♦ Makeup
♦ Sunscreen
♦ Razor and shaving cream
♦ Menstrual products
» See more on Vietnam Bucket List: Must-Have Experiences in Vietnam
4. Travel accessories
Are you going to take a red-eye to Vietnam or is it going to be a long flight? Window seats on a flight or airport floors can become a good place to sleep with the right travel aids.
♦ Travel pillow
A U-shaped pillow will help you fall asleep easily while you travel on bumpy coaches across Vietnam, from the South to the North. This item allows your head to tilt rather than lean straight back, and it is ideal for long journeys.
♦ Sleeping mask
A good sleeping mask is just perfect if you need absolute darkness. It’s time to block out all the light that may keep you awake. The best part is that it is really small, lightweight, and flexible. It can even squeeze into a wallet or your pocket!
♦ Earplugs
If you still have trouble sleeping on planes, earplugs may help. Of course, they won’t clear off all of the noise, but they can cut down on the sounds of the screaming babies, talkers, and lavatory goers.
5. Clothes
Here comes the most important part of the art of packing – packing clothes. You don’t need to change your fashion style for a short trip. However, it is better to adapt your outfits to the weather in Vietnam. The weather is quite different in the North and the South, as well as on the beach and the highlands. Here are the basics that won’t overburden your bags.
♦ T-shirts & Tank tops
Cotton and linen are effective at beating the heat while denim or other heavy fabrics will soak up sweat and don’t dry quickly. Avoid white items as they may easily get yellow pit stains from your sweat. Make sure you do not wear sexy low-cuts to temples and pagodas.
♦ Pants & Shorts
If you do not travel to Northern Vietnam in the winter months (November to February, roughly) or the highlands like Da Lat then forget about jeans. Jeans are simply too hot and constricting. Pack a few pair of lightweight pants instead. Denim shorts are good when you’ll likely be doing a lot of walking around.
♦ Sneakers & Sandals
It is so sad to say that Vietnamese streets are quite dusty and dirty. Sneakers (with moisture-wicking socks) are comfortable to wear for long walking, and they also protect your toes well. It is strongly recommended that you prepare a good pair of walking sandals when it’s just too hot to put on sneakers. An extra pair of rubber flip flops are great for the beach or for rainy days in Vietnam.
♦ Summer dresses
Sunny days in Vietnam are just perfect to wear summer dresses. These items will give you the most impressive Insta pics. They are also easy to pack and lightweight. Maxis and midi dresses are fine. Tiny mini dresses are not recommended as they may deter your movements and cause trouble as you get in pagodas in Vietnam.
♦ Cardigan
Forget about the scorching heat as winter months in the North and the highlands of Vietnam can be frigid. In addition, air conditioners in public buses may cause a shifting temperature that makes you feel ill. A cardigan is a good bet for these conditions.
♦ Waterproof items
If you travel to Vietnam between May and October, prepare extra waterproof items such as raincoat, poncho, travel umbrella, or dry bag for your gear.
♦ Swimwear
There are tons of beaches across the country including those in Nha Trang, Hoian, Danang, Binh Thuan, Vung Tau. You should bring two bathing suits when vising beach destinations in Vietnam. One can dry overnight and the other will be available on the next day.
» See more on Best Beach Resorts in Vietnam for Your Next Escape
♦ Sarong
Sarong is probably the most versatile travel item that can fit into your humble suitcase. Don’t be surprised as there are ways to make use of sarong during your trip: headscarf, towel, bedsheets, dress, etc. You can use a sarong to cover your shoulders or wrap it around your waist to cover your legs when visiting temples.
Of course, there are tons of things you can pack for your next trip – credit cards, books, sunglasses, lock, electronics, etc. Keep in mind, however, avoid under-packing and over-packing by considering the length of your stay and the weather in the region you are about to visit. A good Vietnam packing list is essential to ensure your trip to go seamlessly with any type of weather conditions.
© Maika Tours
Written by Trinh Tran
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