Our best advice for a successful Vietnam travel checklist!

Packing your suitcase for a trip to Vietnam is a crucial step for any organized traveler wishing to travel to the land of the dragon. This stage can be a source of stress as the country, its culture and its climatic conditions are different from France. This is why in this article we are providing you with our checklist for a successful trip to Vietnam.

Clothes .

It is important to first take an interest in the country and its climatic conditions in order to prepare for all eventualities and to be able to put together a clothing list for a trip to Vietnam that is as complete as possible but without superfluities in order to leave room for place for the souvenirs you will bring back.

Vietnam is a tropical country governed by two seasons: the dry season and the rainy season. Make sure you take these weather conditions into account first.

In addition, the country has magnificent, rich and varied landscapes.

In the North, you will find mountainous regions, ideal for hiking. It is not uncommon to observe the splendid rice terraces in a light rain depending on the season in which you go. Depending on your travel period, temperatures may be cooler than elsewhere in the country, especially in the evening. So, don’t forget to add good walking shoes, a windbreaker with a hood to your Vietnam travel checklist (it’s even better if it’s foldable, you’ll save more space), and , depending on the season, a vest not too thick.

If you are planning a seaside trip or a cruise in Halong Bay , a swimsuit and pareos are essential in your packing list for a trip to Vietnam , without also forgetting a pretty pair of sandals for walking around and a pair flip flops for the beach. Also remember to protect yourself from the sun’s rays by taking a cap or sun hat with you.

If you plan to visit religious places and sites, make sure to bring a top that covers your shoulders and a bottom that covers your legs, otherwise you will be refused entry because your outfit will be considered too light.

Finally, Vietnam is a country with a high level of humidity. For unaccustomed travelers, there is no point in taking clothes with too tight cuts, such as skinny jeans, which will prove unpleasant to wear. Choose clothes with flowing fabrics and loose cuts in your clothing list for a trip to Vietnam, in order to let your skin breathe and suffer less from this destabilizing humid heat.

Remember that Vietnam is an affordable destination for European tourists, and the cost of an outfit remains well within the budget. Don’t hesitate to buy some clothes directly on site, which will save you the hassle of getting there and which will allow you to leave with useful souvenirs that you can wear on beautiful sunny days back !

In addition, hotels almost always have a laundry service at a low cost. You can leave your clothes with them without fear, which you will find carefully folded the next day.

Here is an example of a clothing list for a 2-week trip to Vietnam:

– Underwear and pairs of socks for 8 days (you can have them washed at your hotel)

– 1 light pajamas

– 1 sweater or sweatshirt or vest

– 3 short-sleeved t-shirts, 2 tank tops

– 1 long-sleeved t-shirt

– 1 short dress, 1 long dress

– 1 short skirt / 1 pair of shorts

– 1 or 2 loose pants

– 1 pair of sandals for walking around town

– 1 pair of flip-flops for the beach

– 1 pair of good sneakers/walking shoes for hiking

– 1 or 2 swimsuits and 1 pareo

– 1 cap or 1 sun hat or any other accessory to protect you from the sun

Our advice : To save space in your suitcase, leave and return with your bulkiest clothes, and do not hesitate to stack layers on the way back (for example tank top, t-shirt and sweater), you can remove them once on the plane.

The toiletry bag .

There are two essential categories when developing your Vietnam travel checklist regarding the toiletry bag: medicines and hygienic products. As an option, we can add some beauty products for more stylish travelers.

As for medications, first think about a small first aid kit, containing bandages and an antiseptic and possibly a few compresses. Sunscreen is essential, but for those who are upset, consider bringing a Biafine tube which could be of great help. A suitable mosquito repellent (understand special tropical mosquitoes) is another great essential. Keep in mind that there is no point in taking too many medications with you, otherwise you risk having them confiscated at customs! So leave with the bare necessities. Anti-diarrheals and a box of paracetamol will do the trick.

Your suitcase for a trip to Vietnam should also include a toiletry bag containing your hygiene products. Again, there is no point in loading yourself up, if you stay exclusively in hotels, products and towels will be automatically provided to you. On the other hand, if you spend a few nights at a local’s house, bring your own things. Thus, we will find the essentials such as a toothbrush and toothpaste, a hairbrush and some elastics, a small deodorant and small shower gels and shampoos.

The most stylish can add a special makeup kit to their Vietnam travel checklist containing their favorite products and possibly some jewelry.

In summary, here is a typical example of a toiletry bag to add to your suitcase for a trip to Vietnam:

– Toothbrush + toothpaste

– Hairbrush + hair elastics

– Shower gel + shampoo in mini format

– Deodorant

– First aid kit (dressings + antiseptic)

– Basic medications (paracetamol + anti-diarrheal)

– Sun cream + tube of Biafine

– Special tropical mosquito repellent

– Packs of tissues

Optional :

– Makeup kit

– Moisturizing cream

– Antibacterial hand gel

Our advice : It is very easy to get good quality Asian beauty products in Vietnam, perhaps this is the opportunity to leave your favorites at home and try out those that are all the rage in Asia!

Electronic equipment .

If you plan to take your cell phone in order to have an “all-in-one” with you to be able to take photos, videos and contact your loved ones, make sure you have enough memory in your device and take your charger. In addition, the hotels have a very good quality WiFi connection, so you can communicate with your loved ones via applications such as Messenger or WhatsApp. If you prefer to send SMS and make calls, or if you simply want to have internet anywhere, it is very easy to get a SIM card anywhere in Vietnam for cheap.

Otherwise, don’t forget your camera, and if it’s digital, remember to take your charger. This is also an opportunity to take out your camcorder if you have one. A flashlight can also always be useful.

In summary, the electronic equipment to take in your suitcase during a trip to Vietnam:

– Cellphone

– Camera/camcorder

– Chargers

– Flashlight

Optional :

– SIM card

Our advice : Consider adding an external battery for your smartphone as well as a memory card to your Vietnam travel checklist so you can capture the best moments of your trip without taking the risk of losing your photos and videos!

Other objects that are always useful .

In addition to the essentials of clothing, toiletry bag and electronic equipment, many other items may prove useful to take in your suitcase during a trip to Vietnam . Among these objects, we can notably cite:

– A pair of sunglasses

– A small dictionary to facilitate exchanges (and keep busy on the plane)

– A tourist guide (even better if it includes city maps)

– A small fanny pack or money belt

– A padlock for your suitcase

– A protective cover for your electronic devices (very useful during seaside trips or in rainy weather)

– A travel journal and a pen to write down your impressions and emotions on paper

– A small bottle of water and a few cereal bars (for those “you never know”)

– A microfiber towel

A checklist for a successful trip to Vietnam should not include superfluous items, at the risk of weighing down your luggage unnecessarily and being forced to leave certain things behind or having to pay extra at the airport. In Vietnam, it will be very easy for you to obtain all kinds of objects, don’t panic if you end up missing something, you will inevitably find what you are looking for once you get there.

Papers and documents not to forget .

Finally, to complete the list of your luggage for your trip to Vietnam, don’t forget to take all your papers and documents necessary for the smooth running of your stay:

– Passport (must still be valid at least 6 months after your return date)

– Visa (if traveling for more than 15 days)

– Prescription (if you plan to travel with a significant amount of medication)

– Credit card and/or small denominations (only banknotes are exchangeable, not coins)

– Program of your trip

Your checklist for your trip to Vietnam is now complete, don’t hesitate to consult our article on the weather and our practical guide to preparing a trip to Vietnam so you can leave with everything in hand!