Pack less than you think. Vietnam is hot, humid, and the laundry-service economics are ridiculous (30,000-50,000 VND per kilo, washed and folded within 24 hours). You can replace almost anything locally, so focus on what is hard to find: good rain gear, sturdy sandals, and any medication you depend on.
Prefer to scan or share rather than read? The same list is published as a social-shareable infographic — six panels (essentials, by-season, by-region, what NOT to pack, customs-banned items, two-week pre-departure checklist). Same items, same sources.
The universal core list
These belong in every bag regardless of when or where you go.
Clothing
- 4-5 light tops (breathable synthetics or linen — cotton stays sweaty)
- 2 pairs of lightweight trousers / leggings (needed for temples and cooler northern days)
- 2 pairs of shorts or a skirt
- 1 light long-sleeve shirt (sun protection, mosquitoes, temple cover)
- Underwear and socks for ~7 days (laundry is cheap)
- Swimwear
- Light sleepwear
- A packable warm layer (fleece or down jacket — essential in the north, useful on night buses and planes anywhere)
Footwear
- Sturdy walking sandals (Teva, Chaco, or similar) — worth the investment
- Closed-toe shoes or lightweight trainers (for treks, cave visits, cooler days)
- Flip-flops for the shower and beach
Rain gear
- A packable rain shell (jacket). Do not rely on the disposable 20,000 VND ponchos — they tear in 30 minutes.
Toiletries
- Sunscreen SPF 30-50 (local brands are fine; bring the first bottle)
- Mosquito repellent with 30-50% DEET or picaridin
- Basic medications: ibuprofen, paracetamol, Imodium, oral rehydration salts, antihistamines
- Any prescription meds with a copy of the prescription
- Hand sanitiser
Gear
- Power bank (10,000 mAh+)
- Universal adapter with Type A and Type C pins
- Reusable water bottle (many hotels now have filtered refill stations)
- Small daypack
- Dry bag or ziplock for boat trips and rainy days
Documents
- Passport with 6+ months validity and at least 2 blank pages
- Vietnam e-visa printout (even though they sometimes just ask for the number)
- Travel insurance details
- Credit card plus backup card (store separately)
- Some USD cash for emergencies ($100-200)
Region-by-region adjustments
North (Hanoi, Ha Long, Sapa, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh)
December-February: properly cold in the mountains. Sapa can drop to 2°C at night; Ha Giang passes dip below zero. Add a real fleece or light down jacket, a beanie, and gloves. In Hanoi itself it is 12-18°C and drizzly — a warm layer plus rain shell is enough.
March-May and September-November: shoulder-season ideal. Normal core list works.
June-August: hot (32-35°C) and very humid with typhoons in July-September. Upgrade the rain shell to a proper waterproof.
Centre (Hue, Da Nang, Hoi An, Phong Nha)
January-August: mostly pleasant. Normal core list.
September-December: the wettest months in Vietnam. Flooding is common in Hoi An in October-November. Waterproof shoes or quick-dry sandals. Extra dry bags.
South (HCMC, Phu Quoc, Mekong)
Hot year-round (26-34°C). Minimal warm gear needed.
November-April (dry season): light layers only.
May-October (wet season): afternoon thunderstorms are daily. Good rain shell, extra dry bag.
Temple and pagoda dress code
Any Buddhist temple, Confucian pagoda, or imperial tomb expects:
- Shoulders covered (no tank tops)
- Knees covered (no short shorts)
- Shoes off at the threshold
A thin long-sleeve shirt and a sarong or scarf solve both for women. Men: a light long-sleeve and normal trousers. Some major sites (Imperial City Hue, Cao Dai Temple) provide loan wraps. Smaller temples don't.
Mosquitoes and dengue
Dengue risk is real in the south year-round and nationwide in wet season. Zika and Japanese encephalitis are less common but present.
- Repellent with 30-50% DEET or 20% picaridin
- Long sleeves and long trousers at dusk
- Permethrin-treated clothing for jungle treks (Phong Nha, Cat Tien, Ha Giang)
- Air-con rooms reduce indoor mosquitoes significantly
Tech and electronics
- Phone: works everywhere with a local SIM (Viettel, Mobifone, Vinaphone — $7-12 for 30 days unlimited data). E-SIM options are excellent.
- Camera: optional, phones are fine for 95% of travellers.
- Laptop: bring only if working. Hotel Wi-Fi is generally solid.
- Adapter: Vietnam uses Type A (flat US-style) and Type C (round European). One universal adapter covers both.
- Voltage: 220V. Nearly all modern chargers handle this without a converter.
What to leave at home
- Large first-aid kits (pharmacies are everywhere)
- Lots of cash (ATMs are universal)
- Heavy hiking boots (sandals + trainers cover the full country unless you are doing Fansipan in winter)
- Formal clothes (unnecessary anywhere except high-end Saigon nightlife)
- Travel towel (hotels all provide them; Ha Giang homestays sometimes don't — a sarong covers it)
Weight target
For a 2-3 week trip: aim for 8-10kg carry-on only. Vietnam's domestic flights (Vietjet in particular) enforce 7-10kg carry-on limits strictly and charge painful fees for gate-check. A 40-litre pack or small roller is plenty.
Pack smart, buy local where useful, and travel lighter than you think you need. Vietnam makes it easy.
Limitations
This is a general list for a two- to three-week trip in ordinary conditions, and it is wrong at the edges. It does not cover multi-day jungle trekking, the technical caving systems at Phong Nha, diving, cycle touring or business travel, all of which carry their own kit. It says little about travelling with babies, with a wheelchair or with bulky medical equipment, and beyond a passing note it does not address how limited plus-size clothing and larger shoe sizes are in Vietnamese shops.
The weather ranges are typical seasonal patterns rather than forecasts. Vietnamese seasons have been shifting, typhoon timing moves year to year, and central flooding in particular can arrive earlier or run later than the September-to-December window given here. Check a regional forecast in the fortnight before you fly rather than packing from the month alone.
The health section is a traveller's summary and not medical guidance. Repellent concentrations, dengue and Japanese encephalitis risk and the contents of a first-aid kit should be settled with a travel clinic, and vaccination requirements are not covered at all. Vietnam also restricts the import of certain prescription medicines and quantities, which we have not verified drug by drug, so check with the embassy if you depend on a controlled medication. Customs rules on drones, satellite communicators and commercial quantities of goods are likewise out of scope.
Prices are mid-2026 bands and they drift. Laundry per kilo, SIM and e-SIM data plans, sunscreen and poncho costs all move, and airline carry-on allowances change with fare class and route at short notice, Vietjet's more than most. Gear brands are named as familiar examples rather than tested recommendations, since we do not run comparative product reviews.