Vietnam Packing List – What to Wear + What to Pack for Vietnam

Posted on June 28, 2024 | Julie J. |

From white-sand beaches to green mountains, Vietnam has it all and is one of the best places to visit in Southeast Asia.

If you are lucky enough to be heading to Vietnam, there are many ways in which you can enrich your experience and make your time there all the more enjoyable. Even something as simple as making sure you pack correctly can make a big positive difference to your experience when you head to Vietnam.

Packing can be tough and if you are wondering what to pack and what to wear for your trip to Vietnam, you have come to the right place. I’ve come up with this throughout Vietnam packing list to help you prepare for your trip.

You’ll need to pack clothes for the beach, for hiking in the mountains, for going out, and think of bringing some appropriate clothing to visit temples. There are also a few essentials you shouldn’t forget to bring.

Here’s everything you need to pack for your vacation, no matter the season and no matter the area you’re visiting, from beach destinations to the mountains in Northern Vietnam.

Discover some useful packing tips as well to make the most out of your trip.

The most important thing is to make sure you have good travel insurance, I recommend World Nomads, check out their webpage for more info and to get a quote.

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on any links and make a purchase, we’ll get a small commission, at no cost to you.

Table of Contents show

Vietnam Packing List:

Carry-on

Passport and id (tips: make sure you have a passport cover to protect it);
Cellphone;
Camera;
Headphones (tips: noise-canceling ones are life saviors on a plane);
Travel documents (tickets, hotel booking, visa…);
Wallet with some cash and 2 credit cards (tips: try to never have all your important stuff in one place);
Medications with prescription if needed;
Snacks and reusable water bottle (this one is made with eco-friendly materials, and has over 45k positive reviews on Amazon) ;
Sunglasses;
Antibacterial gel and moisturizer;
A magazine or a book (tip: if you like reading, consider getting a Kindle, it’s lightweight and allows you to carry thousands of books wherever you go);

Check out the complete long-haul flight packing list and must-haves >>

Toiletry

Sunscreen (check out Two Peas, they make reef-safe, biodegradable, organic sunscreen for every skin type);
UV filter hair serum (tip: your hair need protection too! Furterer makes an awesome leave-in spray that will protect your hair against sun damage);
Mosquito repellent (tips: get one with citronella inside instead of DEET, it works just as well and is way more eco-friendly);
Solid shampoo and dry conditioner (tips: dry cosmetics help you save space and travel lighter, you can check out Ethique’s products );
Face and body wash;
Toner and serums;
Deodorant;
Toothbrush and toothpaste;
Comb/brush;
Hair ties and bobby pins;
Razors;
Makeup;
Perfume;
Tweezers;
A small first-aid kit;
Feminine hygiene products;
Aloe vera gel in case you get a sunburn;

I wouldn’t advise packing a flat or curling iron for Vietnam, or for anywhere else in Southeast Asia, the weather is so humid, that it makes anything you do to your hair useless.

Clothes – What to wear in Vietnam

You should be fine packing a week’s worth of clothes, even if you stay longer, most hotels and hostels have washing machines, and you can find cheap laundry services everywhere.

2 pajamas
2 Swimsuits
3 day-dresses / cover-ups for the beach
1 nice dress for going out
2 pairs of shorts
2 pairs of long pants
1 pair of leggings or sweatpants
6 tank tops/tee-shirts
3 going-out shirts
1 lightweight jacket (like this one for women and this one for men)
1 rain jacket (like this one >>)
1 sweater
Socks
Underwear and bras (one set for every day)
Accessories/jewelry (tips: choose the ones that will go with everything)
1 small purse for going out
A day bag for when you go on day trips or hiking
Hat or cap

What to wear in Vietnam:

When visiting Vietnam you need to be ready for the beach, trekking in the mountains (where it’s colder), and visiting temples and cities. Bring loose clothing that will cover up your whole body without keeping you warm so you’re ready for anything, like cotton tops and lightweight pants.

In touristy destinations, you can dress however you want but in more remote areas, go for a modest outfit (covering your shoulders and knees).

If you are going to go to Northern Vietnam, keep in mind it can be cold in the mountains, so make sure you’re packing a pair of jeans and a lightweight jacket as well as a sweater.

Be ready for heavy rain, bring a long raincoat and a pair of shoes that dries fast.

Shoes

Sandals;
Flip-flops;
Going out shoes;
Sneakers/comfortable shoes to walk with;

Other – Vietnam Packing List

Chargers and a plug adapter;
Power bank;
Beach towel or sarong (tip: you can get a sand-free towel if you don’t like having sand all over your towel);
Waterproof pack or dry bag;
Ziplock or plastic pouch to put your wet towel and swimsuit;
Speaker (tips: pick a waterproof and sand-proof one, like this one>>);
If you travel with a backpack: a rain cover;
A towel if you are going to stay at a hostel (check out this microfiber one, lightweight and fast-drying)
A Vietnam Travel Guide like The Rough Guide to Vietnam;