Vietnam Packing List (24 Things You Might Forget to Bring)

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Looking for a packing list for Vietnam? Look no further!

I traveled through Vietnam for 2 weeks last year, and it was one of the highlights of my trip around the world. I created the perfect budget for Vietnam, but my packing? In all honesty, it could have used some work. But by the end of my trip, I finally felt like a pro. 

Here, I’ll go over the essentials for Vietnam that you can’t forget (including a lot of things I did forget…), the clothes you’ll need, what to pack for the rainy season, and more. I’ll also give some tips on hiking in Northern Vietnam. 

Chúng ta hãy bắt đầu thôi! Let’s get started!

Travel Essentials for Vietnam

🖨️ Get a free printable version of this packing list here

Mosquito Repellent

My number one concern when traveling in Vietnam was getting dengue fever. Dengue is prevalent in Southern Vietnam, especially around the Mekong Delta area, where Ho Chi Minh City is. It’s a severe disease that can easily turn a trip into a nightmare. 

Dengue fever is spread by mosquitoes, so wearing mosquito repellent is the #1 thing you can do to prevent it. This Murphy’s Naturals Mosquito Repellent Spray comes in a travel-size bottle and is free from any unhealthy chemicals. 

Day Pack

You’ll want a backpack or day pack to carry around. It’s nice to have something large enough to fit a water bottle, sunscreen, hat, and other essential items for long sightseeing days. If you’re visiting during the rainy season, you’ll want to fit a raincoat and umbrella in here, too. 

Osprey is a great brand, and I like the look of this Osprey Collapsible Stuff Pack. For something a bit smaller, I used this BAGGU medium crescent bag and really liked it. 

Mini Fan

Much of Vietnam is often hot, humid, and muggy. I saw tons of people using small fans to keep themselves cool, and I constantly wished I had one! 

This JISULIFE portable handheld mini fan has great reviews, is easily rechargeable, and lasts up to 12 hours. 

Packing Cubes

I know some travelers think packing cubes are unnecessary, but for me, it’s a non-negotiable. I’ve saved so much bag space since I started using packing cubes — not to mention it keeps everything so much more organized! 

I used these BAGSMART compression packing cubes for a whole year while traveling, and they never broke. I love them. 

Laundry Bag

Laundry in Vietnam is widely available — but you can’t do it yourself. Typically, you give your laundry to a local business or laundromat, and they wash and return it to you within 48 hours. 

Most places will require your laundry to be in a bag when you give it to them. I saw people using plastic bags, but it was so much more helpful to pack a small laundry bag that I could reuse. I brought this mesh laundry bag on my trip, and I highly recommend it.  

First Aid Kit

My doctor recommended I take several travel medicines with me when going to Vietnam. I got prescribed malaria pills and diarrhea pills (gross, I know, but it’s better to be safe than sorry). 

I kept all my travel medicine in a first aid kit, and I’d highly recommend doing the same. This mini first aid kit includes band-aids, sterilizing wipes, gauze pads, and more. 

Beach Towel

Vietnam’s coastline is so long that you’ll likely be at the beach — a lot. Boat cruises are especially popular in areas like Ha Long Bay and Bai Tu Long Bay. For the essential Vietnam experience, you’ll need to bring a beach towel! 

This microfiber beach towel is perfect for travel. I like how large it is, so it can be comfortable for lounging on the beach. And it still packs up small, so it’s a good travel size. 

Reusable Water Bottle

Vietnam’s tap water is not safe to drink, so do not fill up at the tap. However, many hotels or restaurants will have a jug of filtered water where you can fill up a reusable water bottle. It’s better for your budget and better for the environment than buying plastic single-use bottles. 

On my trip, I took my Nalgene water bottle. I chose this one because it’s lightweight and it won’t leak when put on its side (unlike some water bottles with straws). 

Mini Bag

One of the best things I bought in Vietnam was a crossbody mini bag that could hold just my phone, wallet, and keys. This was especially useful when riding motorbikes all around the country, specifically on the epic Ha Giang Loop motorbike trip. 

When riding as a passenger on a motorbike, you want to have your phone easily accessible in front of you so you can take pictures and videos of the ride. I bought this Patagonia mini hip pack, but this crossbody fanny pack has the same design for a much more affordable price. 

Power Adapter

Vietnam is unique — it has several different types of plugs. I used this universal adapter, which worked for any of the outlets that we saw in Vietnam. 

Sunscreen

Vietnam is usually hot and sunny, even in the rainy season. Tropical storms in the afternoon fade away to clear skies. And if you’re planning on spending time on any of Vietnam’s popular islands, like Phu Quoc, you’ll definitely want to sunscreen up. 

I always trust the Neutrogena brand, and getting a sunscreen that is at least 50 SPF will protect your face the best. 

Portable Charger

We spent long days sightseeing, hiking, and riding motorbikes in Vietnam. We were often away from our accommodation all day, and using my phone so much for navigation and photos drained the battery quickly. 

Luckily, my partner had this portable charger. It meant that I never had to worry about my phone losing battery while we were out and about. 

Travel Insurance

I bought travel and medical insurance when I went to Vietnam, and it gave me a lot of peace of mind. I knew that if anything went wrong, I would be covered. And honestly, after going to the hospital in Thailand and getting charged hefty tourist prices for medication, I am so glad I had insurance on my trip. 

You can use the VisitorsCoverage website to compare different travel insurance policies. 

Checklist of Other Vietnam Essentials to Pack

• Phone 
• Passport
• Vietnam Visa
• Wallet with Vietnamese cash
• Electronic chargers for phone, laptop, etc. 
• Book or Kindle 
• Earplugs (especially for hostels) 
• Toiletries 
• Headphones 

Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Vietnam

When packing clothes for Vietnam, pack light! Most of the country is hot and humid. However, it does get colder the further north you go. 

I visited Vietnam in May, with the same clothes I packed for my one-year trip around the world. But I ended up wearing the same 3 shirts and shorts every day — that’s how hot it was. And I had to lug around my heavier clothes, never even touching them. 

I would not pack jeans for Vietnam. You won’t wear them! Instead, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics like linen, cotton, or silk. 

However, Northern Vietnam can be cold and mountainous. If you’re planning to explore the Tonkinese Alps — which I’d highly recommend — you’ll want to pack a good jacket and hiking clothes. If you’re visiting Northern Vietnam in winter, jump ahead to my seasonal items to pack. 

Sandals

My all-time favorite travel sandal is the Teva universal sandal. I wore mine for the water activities we did, like visiting the beach at Da Nang and paddling in a bamboo boat down the river in Hoi An. 

They were also great for walking around cities, since they have more support than a flip-flop. Almost everyone in cities wears sandals, so you won’t look out of place. 

Sun Hat

We saw many Vietnamese people wearing large sun hats to protect themselves from the intense sun. It’s very popular for tourists to buy the triangular bamboo hats that so many locals wear. You can find these at pretty much any souvenir stall! 

However, even though all the locals wear them, the bamboo hats still scream tourist to me. If you want something a bit more muted, I’d recommend something like this wide brim sun hat. Make sure to find something that will shade both your face and neck. 

Hiking Boots

Northern Vietnam has incredible multi-day trekking. The mountains up there are absolutely gorgeous, and I’d recommend them to anyone who loves the outdoors. 

I packed my Merrell women’s hiking boots (which are also available in men’s sizes) and used them for several hiking opportunities in Vietnam’s Ha Giang region. I know other people who hiked in Sa Pa, and they recommended having hiking boots there as well. 

Light jacket

Even though it was super hot most of the time, I am glad I brought a jacket for Vietnam. I found that tour buses and hotels are often very air-conditioned, sometimes to a fault! I also needed a jacket when we went further north to the mountains. 

I packed something very similar to this Columbia women’s fleece. They also have a highly rated men’s version. 

Money Belt

I felt very safe in Vietnam. However, it’s no secret that more touristy areas increase the potential for petty crime, especially pickpocketing or scams. 

Keep your essentials safe with this travel money belt. One of my tips for Vietnam is to not visibly carry a lot of cash — sometimes, when you pull out your wallet to pay a vendor, they’ll look at how much money you have and will raise the price. The travel money belt is a good way to hide more cash outside of your wallet. 

Headbands

My most-used article of clothing in Vietnam was, believe it or not, a headband. I’m not kidding, I wore this nearly every day! My hair was constantly getting sweaty and sticking to my face, and having a cute headband to keep it pushed back did wonders. 

For anyone with long hair, I’d recommend buying several of these. I like the design on this multi-pack of Boho travel headbands.  

Waterproof Flip Flops or Slides

Nearly everyone in coastal Vietnam wears flip-flops or some kind of waterproof slide shoe around town. And if you’re planning on staying in a hostel, proper hostel etiquette dictates that you should wear shower shoes. Flip-flops can do both. 

I wore these Havaiana’s womens flip flops. They also have a good men’s version.  

Other Clothing, Shoes, & Accessories to Pack for Vietnam 

So what clothing, shoes, and accessories should you pack for Vietnam? Here is a quick clothing checklist for Vietnam: 

• 1 pair of sandals 
• 1 pair waterproof flip flops or slides 
• 1 pair tennis shoes or walking shoes 
• 1 pair hiking boots (if necessary) 
• 1 light jacket or fleece 
• 5-6 tank tops or t-shirts (everyday wear) 
• 2-3 dressier shirts (evening wear) 
• 3-4 pairs of lightweight, breathable shorts 
• 1-2 pairs of linen or lightweight pants 
• 1-2 pairs of hiking pants or shorts (if necessary) 
• 1 sundress or skirt 
• 1-2 swimsuits 
• 1 sun hat 
• 1 beach coverup 
• 7 pairs of underwear 
• 7 pairs of socks 
• Money belt 
• Headbands and hair accessories 

Seasonal Items to Pack for Vietnam

Most of Vietnam’s climate follows the rainy season and dry season. However, each region of Vietnam has a distinct rainy season. 

☔ Southern Vietnam’s rainy season is from June to November. 

🌧 Central Vietnam’s rainy season is from August to November. 

💧 Northern Vietnam’s rainy season is from June to September. 

If visiting Vietnam during the summer or fall, you should prepare for rain. Usually, the rain only lasts for a few hours in the afternoon before clearing up. However, the rainy season can bring intense monsoons and typhoons, with flooding sometimes impacting travel. 

The most surprising thing about Vietnam’s climate is how cold the north can get during winter. Popular hiking areas like Sa Pa and Ha Giang have average winter temperatures of 50 degrees, with fog, mist, and occasional snow. 

Here are recommendations for seasonal items or clothing you might need in Vietnam:

Raincoat

We visited Vietnam in late May, at the beginning of the rainy season. We experienced several intense afternoon storms (including one that caught us by surprise in Hanoi, leaving us totally drenched). I used my rain jacket much more than I expected to! 

I’d recommend a raincoat from a trusted outdoor brand, like this Outdoor Ventures raincoat that comes in both women’s and men’s sizes. It also packs down into a small bag so you can easily put it in your day pack when not wearing it. 

Travel Umbrella

Just like having a raincoat, a travel umbrella will go a long way during Vietnam’s rainy season. This best-selling Repel Umbrella has excellent reviews and is a good size to travel with. 

Heavy Jacket

You will need to bring a heavy jacket if you’re visiting the mountains in Northern Vietnam between December and February. Areas like Sa Pa are very popular for trekking, but it can be foggy, misty, and even snowy in the winter. 

I like this Outdoor Ventures packable lightweight puffer jacket. It can pack up very small so that it doesn’t take up room in your suitcase, but it’s still warm enough for cold mountain weather. 

Beanie

If Northern Vietnam is on your itinerary for December through February, you’ll definitely want a beanie. I’d recommend getting a fleece-lined beanie like this one. 

Other Seasonal Items to Pack for Vietnam

Here is a quick checklist for visiting Northern Vietnam in the winter: 

• Long-sleeved shirts 
• Long hiking pants 
• Warm boots 
• Wool socks 
• Thermal wear
• Hand warmers 
• Gloves

Vietnam Packing Tips

Don’t forget to apply for a visa.

U.S. citizens traveling to Vietnam need a visa. We completely forgot about this and ended up getting stranded in Thailand while we waited for our last-minute visa application to go through! 

There was also a whole ordeal about spelling our names wrong. When it asks for your first name, you have to put your middle name as well (if it appears on your passport). We didn’t do this, and it meant that our visa took extra long to process. 

You should apply for your Vietnam visa at least 3 weeks in advance of your trip. There are ways to expedite the process and get it within 2-3 days — but be prepared for a hefty fee.

Pack in a backpack, not a suitcase.

Vietnam is so spread out that you’ll probably be taking a lot of transportation between major places. I found that it was much easier to have a backpack than a suitcase. 

The streets in Vietnam can often be quite crowded and hectic. Unpaved roads in more rural areas also make walking with a suitcase difficult. If you have the ability to carry a backpack as your main bag, I’d recommend it. 

Only pack for 7 days, then do laundry.

We found laundry to be widely available in Vietnam. Typically, you give your laundry to a laundry business and they wash and return it to you within 24 hours. Don’t forget a laundry bag! 

Save room for souvenirs and clothes you might buy there.

Vietnam is known for selling brand-name items at a fraction of the price. Because so many clothing companies have factories in Vietnam, many shops will sell the rejected items that the company doesn’t want. It’s like a factory store or outlet mall, but even more discounted. 

We bought Patagonia bags for $8 each. I bought North Face hiking pants for $12. We also got clothes custom-made for us in Hoi An, which was an experience I’d highly recommend. Save room in your bags, and plan to buy some souvenirs in Vietnam! 

Carry minimal cash.

I got scammed on our very first day in Vietnam. We were in the popular tourist town of Hoi An, and a woman came up and began trying to sell me fruit for an extremely high price. She wouldn’t take no for an answer until I showed her my wallet and showed that I only had a few dollars in cash. She left me alone after that. 

Don’t carry large sums of cash on you. I’d recommend keeping the majority of your cash in a safe spot in your hotel, and only carrying $10-15 USD at a time. 

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🖨️ Get a free printable version of this packing list here

Vietnam was one of my favorite countries I’ve ever visited. I hope this Vietnam packing list helps you plan your own trip! Up next, read about my reflections after traveling the world for one year.