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.