Got a trip to Southeast Asia coming up? There’s a good chance you’ll find yourself in Vietnam, one of the most interesting destinations in the region.
As in any country in the area, one of the first things you’ll want to nail down when preparing for your travels is what to pack for Vietnam. The weather in Southeast Asia can be, let’s say, complicated at times. And however you slice it, your Vietnam packing list will need to cover all the bases—from hot, sunny days at the beach to wet & rainy ones in the cooler highlands.
Start planning your ultimate trip with this complete guide for what to bring to Vietnam…
What to pack for Vietnam year-round
Essentials
- Passport: A trip won’t even get off the ground without this one! If there’s one thing you can’t forget, it’s this.
- Cash: Although I’m finding it easier every year to use cards on my travels, I always carry at least a little local currency before heading anywhere. Having some Vietnamese dong will come in handy at markets, street food stalls, and smaller, more local restaurants.
- Travel Insurance: Another thing I never leave home without is travel insurance. Although medical costs in Vietnam aren’t as high as in, say, nearby Singapore, I’d still travel with a policy that covers medical expenses, baggage theft/loss/damage, and trip cancellation.
Guidebooks & Phrasebooks
- Guidebooks: Although most travel planning seems to have shifted online, carrying around a paper guidebook is always a good idea on that (maybe not so) rare occasion when there’s limited WiFi. As usual, Lonely Planet Vietnam is a solid choice.
- Phrasebooks: If there’s one thing you should expect to experience in Vietnam, it’s a language barrier. Arming yourself with a Lonely Planet Vietnamese Phrasebook can help alleviate some of the frustration. Keep in mind, though, that Vietnamese is, like Mandarin and Thai, a tonal language. It can be difficult for foreigners to pronounce, especially when relying only on printed material.
- Language-Learning Books: To take your Vietnamese skills to the next level, consider picking up a book/audio course like Teach Yourself Complete Vietnamese or Routledge Colloquial Vietnamese (audio available for free).
Luggage & Accessories
- Luggage: While your choice of luggage depends on preference, Vietnam is a quintessential backpacking destination. One of my favorite backpacks is the Tortuga Outbreaker Travel Backpack. It’s designed to be a maximum carry-on size for most airlines and offers plenty of room and organizational features for shorter trips.
- Daypack: If you’re planning to be out and about for much of the day, you’ll also want to bring a solid daypack to Vietnam. The Tortuga Outbreaker Daypack is my top choice for its compact waterproof design and extra organizational features, including a laptop compartment.
- Packing Cubes: When you want to jam everything into your travel backpack, nothing beats an awesome set of packing cubes. Even if you’ve settled on a different luggage brand or style, the Tortuga Outbreaker Packing Cubes are fantastic.
Electronics
- Universal Power Adapter: Vietnam uses Class A, C, and D sockets with a standard voltage of 110 / 220 and a frequency of 50 Hz. To be ready for all of the different combinations, pick up a universal power adapter. This will work not just for Vietnam but for anywhere the wind might take you. As many devices (including those that charge via USB) are dual voltage, voltage converters are not often needed anymore. (Be sure to check all your devices to confirm this.)
- Portable Charger / Power Bank: If the thought of your mobile phone or camera dying midday gives you anxiety, I’d bring along a portable charger to Vietnam. The Anker Nano Power Bank is a great choice because it’s lightweight and compact, and it supports 40W fast charging.
- Pocket WiFi: Every traveler knows that finding reliable public WiFi can be a hassle at times. Have 24/7 Internet access by renting a 4G WiFi Router for Vietnam. I’d also consider pairing that with a virtual private network like NordVPN for an extra dash of safety.
- Headphones: For the long-haul flight to Vietnam, you’ll love bringing along a pair of noise-canceling headphones. My own personal recommendation is Sony WH1000X-M5 Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones. Both the sound quality and noise cancellation are absolutely fantastic.
- E-reader: Literature-obsessed travelers can save a ton of space and weight in their luggage by leaving their travel books at home and opting for an e-reader instead. One of my favorites is the Kindle Paperwhite, thanks to its excellent battery life and non-backlit screen that minimizes eye fatigue.
- Camera: A journey through Vietnam is one you’ll want to capture on something a little better than your run-of-the-mill smartphone camera. Although a Nikon DSLR was once my go-to, I recently switched to a FujiFilm Mirrorless Camera. I couldn’t be happier with the image quality and weight/space savings in my daypack.
Outerwear
- Rain Jacket: If there’s one thing you won’t regret packing for Vietnam, it’s a rain jacket. As in much of Southeast Asia, Vietnam’s hot & humid temperatures mean that the possibility of rainfall is always hovering. You’ll want to go with something lightweight & breathable.
- Hat: To lower your risk of sunstroke and heat exhaustion, don’t forget to bring along a hat. In Vietnam’s hot temperatures, a breathable & moisture-wicking hat is best.
Footwear
- Shoes: If you’re planning to stick mostly to cities like Hanoi, Hue, or Ho Chi Minh City, a pair of comfortable casual walking shoes will be an excellent addition to your Vietnam packing list. During the rainy season, you’ll thank yourself for packing a good pair of waterproof walking shoes. For more active adventures, such as hiking in Northern Vietnam, be sure to pack a pair of low-cut hiking shoes for better traction and foot support.
- Sandals: Throwing some beach destinations like Nha Trang and Phu Quoc into your itinerary? Don’t forget to bring along a pair of comfortable sandals.
- Socks: To combat the heat & humidity of Vietnam, pack lightweight, high-performance, moisture-wicking socks to wear rather than your usual everyday socks.
Clothing
Men
- Travel Pants: To pack light for Vietnam, swap out your regular pants and jeans for some lightweight travel pants. On top of their packability, travel pants are quick-drying, moisture-wicking, and can still feel stylish.
- Travel Shirts: Much like travel pants, I’d pack lightweight shirts to stay drier and cooler in Vietnam’s intense heat and humidity.
- Sweater: Even though Vietnam’s known for its hot temperatures, packing a lightweight sweater isn’t a bad idea, especially if you’re visiting Northern Vietnamese destinations like Sapa.
- Travel Shorts: Chances are you’ll spend most of your time in Vietnam wearing shorts. I’d try to stick to something lightweight and moisture-wicking versus regular cotton shorts.
- Swimsuit: For destinations like Nha Trang and Phu Quoc (or if you’re staying in higher-end accommodations), you’ll want to bring along a pair of swimming trunks. As in much of Asia, boardshorts are preferred here to the short European-style swimwear.
Women
- Travel Pants: For Vietnam’s balmy climate (and to save weight and bulk in your luggage), you’ll want to swap your regular pants for lightweight travel pants.
- Travel Shirts: Likewise, swapping out your regular cotton shirts for lightweight, moisture-wicking shirts is a great idea for a hot & humid destination Vietnam.
- Sweater: For traveling to the highlands of Northern Vietnam (or for the odd cooler night outside of summer), bringing a lightweight sweater or base layer is a good idea.
- Travel Shorts: If you decide to bring along a pair of shorts, lean towards modesty rather than short shorts. For visiting temples, you’ll want to bring along a shawl or sarong.
- Travel Skirts/Dresses: To stay cool in Vietnam, bringing along a skirt/dress is a must. I’d go with something modest and lightweight. Look for skirts with a zippered security pocket if concerned about safety.
- Swimsuit: For hanging out on the beach or your hotel’s pool, pack a modest swimsuit or bikini.
Accessories
- Hanging Toiletry Bag: To keep things organized and save space in the hotel bathroom, I like to pack all my toiletries in a hanging toiletry bag.
- Travel Towel: For days on the beach, I always make sure to stuff a lightweight, quick-dry towel into my daypack.
- Travel Umbrella: The only thing certain about Vietnamese weather is that you’re bound to get wet. Be sure to pack a compact travel umbrella to prepare for the inevitable downpour. After breaking countless last-second, airport-bought umbrellas, I’d recommend something a little more durable, like the Repel Windproof Travel Umbrella.
- RFID Wallet: With the ever-growing risk of digital theft, I no longer travel anywhere (not even at home!) without an RFID-blocking wallet. For travelers, I can hardly find a better choice than the Travelambo RFID-Blocking Minimalist Wallet.
- RFID Passport Protector: Like your credit & debit cards, the digital information on new e-passports can be vulnerable to theft. I’d keep my passport safe with an RFID-blocking passport protector like the Zoppen RFID-Blocking Passport Cover.
- Travel Pillow: For the long-haul flight to Vietnam, grab some much-needed shut-eye with a comfy travel pillow. The innovative BCOZZY Chin Supporting Travel Pillow is a step above standard pillows as it’s designed to support your chin for more comfortable in-flight sleep.
- Sleep Mask: If you find it difficult to sleep on flights, bring a sleep mask lto help you immerse yourself in darkness.
- Earplugs: Vietnamese cities can get a little clamorous. You’ll thank yourself for bringing along a good pair of earplugs. Instead of a run-of-the-mill foam ear plug, pick up a pair of premium Luiswell Travel Ear Plugs. In addition to blocking out much of the ambient noise, these earplugs are designed to equalize pressure changes on flights due to altitude changes.
- Water Bottle: In the heat & humidity of Southeast Asia, it’s super important to stay hydrated at all times. I’d pack a collapsible water bottle to ensure I’ve always got a supply of H20.
- Hair Dryer & Straightener: If you’ve got even the slightest bit of curl in your hair, you may find that Vietnam’s humid weather can make keeping it under control a hassle. Be sure to bring along a hair dryer & straightener to look your best. Instead of your bulky, expensive devices from home, pick up the compact dual-voltage travel hair dryer and dual-voltage travel hair straightener.
Toiletries
- Oral Care: For your oral care needs, fill your toiletry kit with a toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and mouthwash. Local pharmacies should carry most, if not all, of these items, should you run out.
- Soap/Body Wash/Hair Care: You may find it difficult to find your favorite toiletry brands in Vietnam. Bring along your favorite soap, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, and hair-styling products.
- Anti-Perspirant/Deodorant: The often intense humidity of Vietnam means you want a stack of anti-perspirant/deodorant handy. The availability of popular Western brands can be limited. Be sure to pack enough for your entire trip.
- Lip Balm: The hot Vietnamese weather can dry out and crack your lips. Pack a good lip balm with sun protection to keep your lips in tip-top shape.
- Sunscreen: To avoid inflated prices, I’d make sure to bring enough sunscreen to last through to the end of my trip. In my experience, sunscreen is often much more expensive in places like Southeast Asia.
- First-Aid Kit: It’s always a good idea to bring a basic first-aid kit, including bandages, a painkiller, an antiseptic ointment, a fever reducer, anti-nausea and anti-diarrhea tablets, and anti-inflammatories.
- Mosquito Repellant: Mosquito-borne illnesses like malaria and dengue fever aren’t unheard of in Vietnam. As you’re traveling throughout the country, particularly in the south and in northern areas like Sapa, take all necessary precautions to prevent mosquito bites, including adding a good mosquito repellent to your packing list for Vietnam.
- Hand Sanitizer: One of the biggest reasons to travel to Vietnam is to eat. If your travel plans include eating street food in Vietnam, you want to carry some hand sanitizer in case there are no suitable bathrooms nearby.
- Grooming Kit: To maintain your style, don’t forget to pack a grooming kit that includes nail clippers, tweezers, and a pair of scissors. Don’t forget to bring a hair comb or brush and a travel shaving kit as well.
