Packing List for Vietnam: Temples, Street Food, and Motorbike Adventures
Everything you need to pack for Vietnam covering humid tropical clothing, temple-appropriate dress, motorbike touring gear, and essentials for traveling from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City.
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Clothing for Tropical Humidity
Pack lightweight, quick-dry clothing in natural or technical fabrics
Vietnam's humidity regularly exceeds 80%, making cotton clothing stay damp for hours. Quick-dry synthetic or linen-blend fabrics are essential. Bring 5-7 tops and 3-4 pairs of shorts or lightweight pants. Loose-fitting clothes allow airflow and prevent heat rash.
Bring long pants and shirts with sleeves for temples
Vietnamese temples, pagodas, and the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum require covered shoulders and knees. Lightweight linen pants and a cotton shirt meeting these requirements double as evening wear. The Hue Imperial City and Cao Dai Temple also enforce modest dress codes.
Pack a light rain jacket or compact umbrella
Monsoon season from May through October brings daily downpours lasting 30-60 minutes. Even the dry season sees occasional showers. A packable rain jacket fits in a daypack. Local ponchos cost 10,000-20,000 VND and are sold by street vendors the moment rain starts.
Bring a warm layer for Sapa and highland areas
Northern highlands like Sapa sit at 1,500 meters where temperatures drop to 5-10 degrees Celsius from November through February. A fleece or lightweight down jacket adds essential warmth. Ha Giang and Dalat also run cooler than lowland cities by 10-15 degrees.
Pack dark-colored clothing that hides dirt and stains
Vietnamese street food, motorbike exhaust, and dusty roads stain light clothing quickly. Black, navy, and dark earth tones survive 3 weeks of travel better than white. Hoi An's tailor shops can make custom clothes in 24 hours if you want fresh outfits mid-trip.
Footwear
Bring comfortable walking sandals with good grip
Sandals handle 80% of Vietnam situations from city walking to beach days. Choose a pair with arch support and rubber soles that grip wet tiles and slippery market floors. Leather sandals are comfortable but take longer to dry after monsoon puddles.
Pack lightweight sneakers or trail shoes for trekking
Sapa rice terrace treks, Cat Ba Island hikes, and Phong Nha cave explorations require closed-toe shoes with traction. Lightweight trail runners handle mud and uneven terrain while drying overnight. Trekking sandals work for easier trails but not steep, muddy paths.
Bring flip-flops for hostels and beach towns
Cheap flip-flops or slides are essential for hostel showers, beach bars, and quick runs to the corner banh mi cart. Vietnamese guesthouses often ask you to remove shoes at the door. A pair of simple flip-flops costs 30,000-50,000 VND locally if you forget to pack them.
Health and Protection
Pack DEET insect repellent for rural and evening use
Dengue fever transmitted by daytime mosquitoes is a concern throughout Vietnam, especially during monsoon season. DEET at 25-30% concentration provides 6-8 hours of protection. Apply before dawn and dusk visits to markets, temples, and riverside areas. Mosquito coils are available at guesthouses for 5,000-10,000 VND.
Bring stomach remedies and rehydration salts
Vietnamese street food is incredible but can cause traveler's stomach as your system adjusts. Anti-diarrheal medication, rehydration packets, and activated charcoal help manage symptoms. Eat at busy stalls where food turns over fast. Avoid ice in drinks outside established restaurants in rural areas.
Pack high SPF sunscreen and a hat
Vietnam's tropical sun at latitudes 10-22 degrees north delivers intense UV year-round. SPF 50+ sunscreen costs 150,000-300,000 VND in Vietnamese pharmacies, roughly double international prices. A wide-brim hat protects against overhead sun during temple walks, Ha Long Bay boat tours, and rice paddy treks.
Bring a basic first aid kit with blister pads
Walking 15,000-20,000 steps per day exploring Hanoi's Old Quarter and Hoi An's ancient town is common. Blister pads, antiseptic wipes, and adhesive bandages handle the most frequent traveler injuries. Vietnamese pharmacies are well-stocked and sell most medications without prescription.
Motorbike and Transport Gear
Pack a face mask or buff for motorbike travel
Air pollution in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City and dust on rural roads make face protection important. A multi-use buff filters dust and exhaust while riding on the back of motorbikes. Surgical masks are sold everywhere for 5,000 VND but a proper cycling buff is more comfortable.
Bring a small padlock for overnight train and bus luggage
Sleeper trains from Hanoi to Sapa and Hanoi to Hue have luggage compartments that benefit from a padlock. Overnight buses have under-compartment storage. A combination padlock also secures hostel lockers. Many hostels charge 20,000-30,000 VND to rent a lock.
Pack a waterproof daypack or dry bag for boat trips
Ha Long Bay overnight cruises, Mekong Delta boat tours, and Phong Nha cave boats involve water exposure. A waterproof daypack or 10-liter dry bag keeps electronics and documents safe. Monsoon rain also arrives without warning during city exploration.
Electronics and Practical Items
Pack a universal power adapter for Vietnam's mixed outlet types
Vietnam uses a mix of Type A, C, and F outlets at 220V. A universal adapter handles all socket types. Most hostels and hotels have USB charging ports. Power banks are sold cheaply in electronics shops on Hanoi's Ly Nam De street if you need a backup.
Bring a portable charger for long travel days
Overnight trains, 12-hour bus rides, and full-day boat cruises have limited or no charging access. A 10,000 mAh power bank provides 2-3 full phone charges and fits in a daypack pocket. Charge it overnight at your accommodation.
Pack a travel money belt for cash and documents
Vietnam is heavily cash-based outside major hotels and upscale restaurants. ATMs dispense VND but have withdrawal limits of 2,000,000-5,000,000 VND per transaction. Keep large amounts in a hidden money belt and carry daily spending money in a front pocket. Pickpocketing targets tourist areas in Ho Chi Minh City.
Bring earplugs and a sleep mask for noisy accommodations
Vietnamese cities are loud from 5 AM with honking motorbikes, construction, and rooster calls. Foam earplugs rated at 30+ decibel reduction save your sleep. A sleep mask helps in overnight trains and buses where interior lights stay partially on.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I not pack for Vietnam?
Leave heavy clothing, formal wear, and expensive jewelry at home. Skip bulky toiletries as Vietnamese pharmacies and convenience stores stock everything cheaply. Avoid bringing too many electronics as heat and humidity damage sensitive equipment. You will not need cold weather gear unless visiting Sapa from November through February. Most items are available cheaply in Vietnamese cities.
What is the best bag type for traveling Vietnam?
A 40-50 liter backpack is the most practical bag for Vietnam. Overnight trains have narrow overhead racks, motorbike taxis strap bags on the back, and bus luggage compartments favor soft bags. Hard suitcases are impractical for anything beyond Hanoi-to-Saigon flights. A small 15-20 liter daypack handles daily exploring while your main bag stays at the hostel.
Do I need malaria medication for Vietnam?
Malaria risk in Vietnam is very low in tourist areas including Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Hoi An, and Ha Long Bay. Remote highland areas near the Cambodian and Laotian borders have low risk. Most travelers do not take prophylaxis. Dengue fever from daytime mosquitoes is the bigger concern. Consult a travel clinic for personalized advice.
Can I buy clothes in Vietnam instead of packing everything?
Vietnam is excellent for buying clothes during your trip. Markets in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City sell t-shirts for 50,000-100,000 VND and shorts for 80,000-150,000 VND. Hoi An is famous for custom tailoring where a suit costs 2,000,000-4,000,000 VND and dresses start at 500,000 VND, ready in 24 hours. Pack light and shop as needed.