Skip to content
Day Trips Vietnam

Vietnam Packing List

Updated April 23, 2026

Pack light layers, a proper rain shell, sandals plus closed shoes, modest clothes for pagodas, mosquito repellent, electrolyte tabs, a power bank, and a Type A/C universal adapter. Vietnam's weather varies dramatically by region and month. You do not need a sleeping bag unless you are trekking in Sapa or Ha Giang between November and February.

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.

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.

Frequently asked questions

What should I pack for Vietnam?

Light layers, a rain shell, sandals, one pair of closed shoes, modest temple clothes (covering shoulders and knees), swimwear, a power bank, a universal adapter with Type A and C pins, mosquito repellent with 30-50% DEET, electrolyte tablets, and basic first aid. Keep the bag under 10kg for domestic flight carry-on.

Do I need a rain jacket in Vietnam?

Yes, always. Every region has a rainy season at a different time of year, and tropical rain is sudden and heavy. A lightweight packable shell beats a cheap poncho. Skip the umbrella.

What should I wear to temples in Vietnam?

Shoulders and knees covered. For women that means a shirt with sleeves plus long trousers, long skirt, or a cover-up wrap. For men, avoid tank tops and shorts above the knee. Some sites provide wraps but it is not guaranteed. Flip-flops are fine — shoes come off anyway.

Do I need a sleeping bag for Ha Giang or Sapa?

Only if you are doing a multi-day jungle trek or homestays in November-February without heating. Homestays provide blankets and usually an electric blanket or heavy quilt. For a standard Ha Giang Loop or Sapa day trek, no.

What type of power plug does Vietnam use?

Vietnam uses Type A (two flat pins), Type C (two round pins), and occasionally Type F. A universal adapter covers all of them. Voltage is 220V 50Hz. Modern phone, laptop, and camera chargers handle this automatically — no converter needed.

Can I buy things I forgot in Vietnam?

Yes, nearly everything. Sunscreen, repellent, basic clothing, flip-flops, toiletries, SIM cards, adapters, and electronics are widely available at normal prices. Vietnam is actually cheaper than home for most of these. The exception is specific medications and specialty items like women's tampons (limited selection) or large-size Western clothing.