The Ultimate Packing List for Vietnam

If you’re planning a trip to Vietnam, I’ve got you covered!  Having visited more than once and spending ample time exploring the country, this is the ultimate female packing list for Vietnam.  This guide will cover your packing essentials and then dive deeper whether you’re planning to trek, visit during rainy season, or hang out on the beach.

 

The Best Luggage to Bring to Vietnam

First things first when it comes to packing – you need luggage to put your things in.  My biggest tip for traveling – especially through Vietnam – is to not overpack.  Overpacking just leads to hassle and headaches and it’s not worth it.  Especially if you’re going to be carrying your own things around, the streets can be bumpy and a lot of hotels in Vietnam don’t have elevators.  But, with that being said – here are my favorite pieces of luggage to bring with you to Vietnam!

• Backpack
• Carry-on bag
• Checked bag (only if necessary)
• Packing cubes (I don’t think that this saves space as much as it just helps to keep you organized)
• Toiletry bag

 

 

Pro tip:  Avoid purchasing any white bags that you’ll be checking-in on an airplane – they are bound to get dirty fast!

 

Packing Essentials

Next up:  Your essentials!  These are things that you cannot travel to Vietnam without!  (In my opinion).

• Passport
• Visa – Most travelers need a visa to visit Vietnam; check if you need one here
• Travel insurance – I would not travel to Vietnam without travel insurance; I personally use and recommend Safety Wing
• Bug repellent
• Sunscreen – Face & body

Pro tip:  If you’re not planning to check a bag, make sure that your bug repellent and sunscreen is < 3.4 oz!

 

Clothing/Shoes to Pack for Vietnam

When packing clothing, the first step is knowing how long you’re going to be gone for so that you don’t over or under pack.  The second thing you should know about Vietnam is that it is generally very hot and humid.  For this reason, I recommend wearing light, breathable clothing.

This section includes clothing that I’d recommend for any female traveling to Vietnam.  Further down in the post, you can customize your clothing list based on if you’re planning to go to the beach, if it’s rainy season, etc.  (By the way, if you’re going on an extended trip – I recommend packing at least 12-pairs of underwear so that you’re not constantly doing laundry).

• Comfortable walking shoes
• “Shower” shoes
• Sandals
• Light dresses
• Outfit that covers shoulders/knees (for certain museums/temples)
• Socks/underwear/bras

 

 

Pro tip:  If you’re planning a long trip, consider bringing a laundry bag so that you can keep your clean/dirty clothes separate!

 

Accessories to Pack for Vietnam

When traveling to Vietnam, accessories aren’t only to add to your outfits, but I think of accessories as more functional.  When I travel – whether short or long-term – I love to bring accessories to make my outfits look “different”.  I don’t tend to pack many clothes, but instead like to pack scarves, head pieces, sunglasses, things that don’t take up much room but can make a plain outfit shine!

• Purse (I recommend a purse that has a zipper and is more difficult for someone who might try to pickpocket you to access)
• Sunglasses
• Fanny pack (for crowded places/to put under your clothes)
• Headscarf (to jazz up your outfits)

 

 

Toiletries to Pack for Vietnam

When packing your toiletries, keep in mind whether you’re planning to check a bag or carry-on.  Depending on which you’re doing, you might need to keep your liquids less than 3.4 fl oz.  (By the way, I like these containers if you’re carry-on only!).

• Tampons/menstrual cup
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Skincare products
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Razor

 

 

Pro tip:  Give your hair a rest and leave the heat at home!  Vietnam is so humid that anything you do to your hair will be ruined once you step outside.

 

Electronics to Pack for Vietnam

Electronics are certainly not a necessity to travel to Vietnam, but in this section I’ll share with you the electronics I took to Vietnam.  Of course, if you love capturing pictures and videos, you’ll more than likely be wanting to take a camera and maybe your computer to edit your photos; but if that isn’t your thing – you can skip over this section!  Another thing to note, you don’t need an adapter when you travel; Vietnam sockets allow both American and European plugs.

• Drone
• Camera (I use this Canon camera)
• GoPro (for smooth videos and underwater captures)
• AirPods (for the airplane)
• Laptop
• iPad/Kindle (for books)
• Selfie light (to take photos/videos in dark places)
• Portable charger

 

 

Pro tip:  If you’re traveling with a lot of electronics/chargers, I use this to keep everything organized!

 

Health Items to Pack for Vietnam

As a nurse, of course I can’t not include health items that I would recommend packing if you visit Vietnam.  Below you’ll find a few health related items that I took with me and they all came in handy!

• Pill box (this is better for a shorter trip so you can count out your prescription/non-prescription pills and you don’t have to take a bulky bottle with you)
• First aid kit (there are scissors in this first aid kit so if you’re doing carry-on only, make sure to remove them before packing!)
• Bandaids (included in first aid kit linked above)
• Unisom (I always travel with Unisom to help me catch some Zzz’s on the airplane and to help with jet lag – I also use this mask to get some sleep on the plane)
• Advil (included in first aid kit linked above)

 

 

Pro tip:  Make an appointment with an infectious disease doctor before your visit to make sure that you’re all caught up on vaccines and to see if there are any prescriptions your doctor would recommend.  You can check vaccine recommendations for Vietnam here!

 

What to Pack if its Rainy Season in Vietnam

If you’re visiting Vietnam during rainy season, there are a few more items I’d recommend bringing with you.  It’s important to note that different parts of Vietnam experience different weather patterns.  So if you’re visiting the north, it might be clear, while the south can be rainy.  You can find out more about the weather patterns by reading Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Vietnam.

• Light rain jacket
• Rain boots
• Portable umbrella
• Rain poncho

 

 

What to Pack if You’re Trekking in Vietnam

If you’re planning to do some trekking in Vietnam, below are the items I’d recommend bringing with you!

• Hiking boots (I wore tennis shoes when trekking in Sapa and fell several times because my grip wasn’t great)
• Work out clothes
• Light sweater (you don’t need this for the trek itself but if you’re staying in the north of Vietnam in a village, it can get chilly at night)

 

 

If you’re planning on trekking in Vietnam, don’t miss:

• Everything You Need to Know About Trekking in Sapa, Vietnam
• From Sa Pa:  Visiting Cat Cat Village – Is it Worth it?

 

What to Pack if You’re Going to the Beach in Vietnam

When I visited Vietnam for the first time, I was surprised to find out that the beaches aren’t what Vietnam is known for and in fact, there are MUCH better beaches elsewhere in Southeast Asia.  However, if you’re planning to visit the beach, go to Ha Long Bay, or travel to Phú Quốc, these are some things that I’d recommend bringing with you.

• Quick dry towel
• Waterproof phone case (I like to keep my phone on me while in the water even if I’m not taking photos; plus you can store your cash in here too)
• Beach sandals
• Water shoes
• Swimming suit
• Cover up
• Beach friendly sunglasses
• Lock (to lock your bag when you’re in the water)
• Visor (for skin protection)

 

 

Other Things to Know About Visiting Vietnam

 

The Best Time to Visit Vietnam

Because Vietnam is a “long” country – the north and the south can experience different temperatures at the same time of the year.  Here are some of the weather patterns throughout the year…

• Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City)
  • Temperatures are pretty consistent throughout the year ( 80-90°F), however can be cooler earlier in the year and hotter later in the year
  • May-November:  Sporadic rainfall, hot, humid
  • December-April:  Clear skies, hot, sunny
• Central Vietnam (Hoi An)
  • September-November is rainy season
  • January is the coldest month
  • March is when things bloom and are very green
  • September-January:  Rainy, cool, cloudy
  • February-August:  Hot, sunny, clear skies
• North Vietnam (Hanoi)
  • December-March:  Cold, misty, cloudy
  • April-May:  Hot, clear skies, sunny
  • June-August:  Hot, humid, rainy
  • September-November:  Cool, clear skies, sunny

I visited Vietnam once in February and once in September.  Of course, September is considered rainy season and I did experience rainfall, but not to the point where my trip was ruined.  In February the weather was better (in terms of rain), but there were many more tourists.

 

The Best Places to Visit in Vietnam

Vietnam is so enchanting and everywhere you go you feel like you’re exploring an entirely new country.  I will say, I’m partial to the north because of its beautiful landscapes and more tolerable weather.  My favorite places to visit in Vietnam include Hanoi, Hoi An, Ha Giang, and Ninh Binh.  If you have time, I’d also recommend Hue!

By the way, this might be an unpopular opinion, but I truly disliked Ha Long Bay.  I would not suggest visiting.

 

Read more about Vietnam; don’t miss…

• The Perfect Northern Vietnam Itinerary – Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Sapa, & Ha Giang Loop
• A Complete Guide to Visiting Hoi An
• A Complete Guide to Vietnam’s Ha Giang Loop
• The Best 2 Day Ninh Binh Itinerary
• How to Spend 2 Days in Hanoi, Vietnam

 

Booking Accommodation in Vietnam

To book accommodation in Vietnam, I generally use Booking.com or VRBO in bigger cities.  When using Booking.com, some hotels are cash only or if they take debit/credit, they charge an additional 3% fee.  This will be communicated to you before you’re charged.

 

Transportation in Vietnam

Vietnam is used to tourists so they’ve done a great job at building infrastructure to easily get around the country.  You can fly, use taxis, use “Grab”, rent a motorbike, walk, take a tuktuk, take the train, or a bus.  Here are some great resources to use for getting around Vietnam…

• “Grab” for affordable taxis/motorbikes for short distances
• Bookaway or 12Go for bus travel to different regions
  • If you’re planning to take a night bus in Vietnam, make sure to read this post
• Bookaway or 12Go if you want to travel by train
• Welcome Pickups if you want a private, English speaking guide waiting for you at the airport (only available at select airports in Vietnam)
• Motorbike – this is a great option if you want to explore a more remote destination that isn’t walkable (you are required to have an international drivers license in Vietnam, get one here)
• Ask your hotel – hotels are more than happy to help you with accommodation, just make sure to ask what the price is ahead of time

 

Vietnam Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Vietnam

 

I hope that you found this packing list for Vietnam helpful!  If you have any questions about packing or anything else, let me know in the comments below!

 

CHECK OUT MORE SOUTHEAST ASIA PACKING GUIDES HERE…

• The Best Packing List for Southeast Asia
• The Ultimate Cambodia Packing List
• The Best Packing List for Laos
• The Best Packing List for Thailand
• The Best Packing List for Malaysia
• The Best Packing List for Indonesia
• The Best Packing List for the Philippines

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Vietnam, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinvietnam” or under my highlights for “Vietnam”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Vietnam” highlight

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