It is best to travel light in Vietnam. One medium sized bag and a day pack will provide more than enough room to carry everything you'll need to survive, and enough space for the things you'll buy in Vietnam.

There are extensive market for consumer goods in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, so do not worry about running out of something.

  

THINGS YOU NEED FOR YOUR TRIP TO INDOCHINA

 

Equipment

• Daypack for hiking/biking-tours
• Travelling bag
• Small travelling bag or daypack for short visits

 

Clothes

• Trousers and jeans which can dry quickly
• Casual dresses for the evening
• Clothes which are helpful when it rains
• Swimming things, sun hat
• Underwear
• T-shirts and shorts
• Sweater/ Jacket for winter
• Hiking boots/ trekking sandals (for trekking tour) and flip-flop
• Socks
• Wide brim hat
• Rain coat

 

Others

• Foto-equipment
• Books and a guide-book
• Flashlight
• Travel clock
• Pen and ink
• Sunglasses
• Thermos flask
• Trekking stick (for trekking tour)
• Dry bag

 

Private things

• Flip flops
• Towel
• Soap, shampoo, brush, tooth-brush, comb,…
• Insect repellent
• Shaving equipment
• Sun cream (high factor), Lip cream
• First aid kid
• Pharmaceuticals /meds
• Ear plugs
• Eye cover

 

Documents

• Cash (USD will be most popular)
• Credit card
• Tickets and print for the flight
• Vaccination card
• Passport
• Copies of your passport
• Travel insurance documents 
• Photos for visa and for visiting the ruins of Angkor Wat

 

Packing list for Halong Bay/Mekong cruise:

• Your passport, change of clothes (see our general advice on clothes here), sun and rain gears, wide brim hat, swimming clothes, camera, sandals and/or flip-flop, insect repellent and a good sense of humor.
• Things provided on board: towels and toiletries.

 

Packing list for Sapa and other mountain trips:

• Your passport, change of clothes (see our general advice on clothes here), daypack for hiking sun and rain gears, wide brim hat, swimming clothes, camera, trekking shoes and/or sandals, trekking stick, insect repellent and a good sense of humor.
• Incase you'll do a homestay experience, please also bring: flashlight, towels, toiletries.