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10-Day Vietnam Packing List in a Carry On!
If you've been dreaming about visiting the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An, navigating through the beautiful limestone rocks in Ha Long Bay, or taking in the bustling energy of Hanoi's Old Quarter, you might already know that Vietnam is a feast for the senses and the weather can be just as dynamic! From humid days to sudden downpours, knowing how to pack smart can make your adventure so much easier.
I recently took a 10-day Vietnam trip traveling from South to North and I fit everything into one checked bag with room to spare for souvenirs. Here's how you can do the same without feeling like you're backpacking, or worse, overpacking!
10-Day Vietnam Packing List in a Carry On!
Let me start by saying that I'm a reformed over packer! I hate checking bags, especially if I'm traveling internationally! Waiting for bags after a long flight is the last thing I want to do when I get to my destination. I want to get my trip started! That's why it's important for me to be very mindful about how I'm packing and what I pack.
On this trip, I was also able to splurge on the fast track service through immigration and was off the plane and in the city in under 15 minutes!
Hiring a friend when I first arrived was THE best thing I could have done! I used DayTrip and it was such a great way to get acclimated to a new country I'd never been to before. I left feeling like I had a friend.
Start With a Flexible Capsule Wardrobe
Vietnam's climate depends on where and when you're going. If you're covering both the north and the south, pack for warm, humid weather, but always be ready for a cool breeze or afternoon rain.
You're going to want to focus on lightweight, breathable fabrics that dry quickly and mix and match easily.
People say that linen is your friend, and I did bring some linen pieces, but lightweight is key! You will be hot and sticky! I loved wearing dresses every day. They helped me stay cool and I feel like they also gave me that elevated look while walking in the city.
Keep in mind that if you are visiting any temples or sacred spaces, you will also need to dress appropriately. This means, no sleeveless shirts and dresses or shorts that cover the knee. This applies to both men and women.
Tops: 4-5 light shirts or blouses {1 of those long sleeve for sun protection}Bottoms: 2 pairs of shorts or skirts, {I like these shorts with zippered pockets to secure items}1 pair of lightweight pants {I had a linen pair I wore a few times}Dresses: I actually wish I had packed MORE dresses! I had 4, I wish I had brought 5.Layers: A light sweater or cardigan for air conditioned restaurants or cooler nights-I often wear my layers on the planeOuterwear: A packable rain jacket that is waterproof and a hat with a strapUnderwear: 5-7 pairs {I pack washable ones I can quickly wash in the sink-these are my favorite}I also had 2 bras and 1 sports braBathing Suit: I had 2 bathing suits and used them often!
Things to note: I had a rain jacket, and we were there during the rainy season {May}, however, I never used mine. I would say if I didn't have it, I think I would have wished I did. The one day we ventured out in the rain, the hotel had umbrellas we were able to borrow, so that likely made a difference.
I don't really wear a sun hat at home. I am so glad I had one on my trip. The Vietnamese people are so kind and they are always looking out for your well being, so I would often get asked if I had a hat, and told to put it on by the "aunties". Having one with a strap made it so that I could easily keep it in place if I was riding in a Tuk-tuk {which I did} or while on a boat or open air car.
FYI, I made this video as I packed for the trip. I will highlight a few of the things that I didn't use in this post. But for the most part, I used nearly everything that I packed!
Shoes-Keep It Simple
I didn't bring any closed toe shoes, and I didn't need any! I had a pair of Chacos that are adjustable and more secure than flip flops. They are waterproof so you can wear them in the water and you won't lose them, and they are comfortable for bike riding and other activities. I also brought two pairs of flip flops, a brown pair and a black pair. Both of mine are Olu Kai, which I think offer more support than a standard flip flop, which is important because you will be walking A LOT.
I totally get it if you have foot problems and you need something more secure. I normally live in flip flops, so this worked out fine for me. If you bring a heavier shoe like a tennis shoe, just make sure you wear them on the plane to save on packing space.
We did take a cruise to Ha Long Bay and stayed overnight in a junk boat. We were told to pack light if possible and were able to leave our suitcases behind. I am glad I had this travel backpack because I was able to pack everything I needed for our overnight trip in it and then some. I love that the bag actually has a separate travel section for shoes, so that's how I pack my shoes when I travel.
Don't Over Do the Toiletries
Most basics are very easy to find in Vietnam and for much less than you would at home! I brought a fair amount of shampoo and conditioner because I am so particular, BUT, I found that I could get a hair washing and massage for under $10 and I might have only washed my own hair once or twice during my whole trip!
A few toiletries to remember:
Sunscreen-I found that most of the days we were there it was overcast. I did use sunscreen daily on my face and shoulders and only had a few small travel bottles and barely made a dent in those. But the sun in Vietnam is intense, so make sure you do have some. This is the one I brought because it's not liquid and it easily rolls on.
Bug Spray and Sting Wipes-You'll definitely want bug spray, especially if you are headed out in the jungles at all. This is the one I pack all the time now! I also pack citronella oil and then add a drop or two to lotion or just dab it on my skin around my ankles and wrists before I go out.
I will NOT travel without these sting wipes anymore! One of the younger girls in our travel group got stung by a jelly fish and since these have lidocaine in them, she found them very helpful for the pain. They also help remove the itch from bites too. They are tiny to pack and work wonders!
Don't forget your medicines! I always have a small bag of medicine like Imodium, ibuprofen, Advil, and melatonin.
Pro Tip: When traveling to a foreign country, make sure you are taking a probiotic. Take one before you go {start at least a few days if not weeks before} and continue taking them as you are in country. I really do think this helps with your gut health. And knock on wood, I didn't get sick at all from eating street food or drinking drinks with ice. This is my favorite probiotic. I've been taking it for more than two years and it's not failed me yet!
Pack for Laundry
One perk of traveling to Vietnam is how easy and affordable laundry services are. Many hotels will wash, dry and fold a bag of laundry for just a few dollars!
Pro Tip: I love my packing cubes. As my trip progresses, one of my packing cubes becomes my dirty clothes bag so I can keep the dirty clothes separate.
Accessories That Make a Big Difference
Hat-I know I already mentioned this, but wearing hats are a big part of the Vietnamese custom. Sunglasses-again, another must!Reusable water bottle-I love my Owala! There are often water stations to fill up at hotelsCharging Bank-Between directions and taking videos, you'll drain your phone battery pretty quickly!Tripod-This tripod is collapsible and it's a great way to get photos if you are going as a couple or are solo!Small tote bag-I had a bag like this and it folded up in my suitcase and could easily double as a bigger purse on outings.Plug adapter-don't forget this!!!
Pro Tip: If you like cold ice water like I do, but can't find ice in Vietnam, many of the hotels I stayed in had refrigerators in the room. I would try to freeze a water bottle the night before, so I could have cold water the next day.
I had a 13 hour train ride scheduled during my trip. This video will help you understand what to expect if you are doing an overnight train!
Travel Documents
If you are traveling from the US, you need a Visa to travel to Vietnam! It was easy to apply and took about 3-5 business days for approval.
Don't forget your passport and your Visa travel documents! Immigration calls this an e-visa, but they very much want you to have it printed when you get to their kiosk. Also, hold on to your boarding pass. I was asked for a hard copy of this, not just the boarding pass on my phone.
Before you travel, make sure you pack crisp $100 bills so that you can take them to the currency exchange. I went inside the bank to get mine and they were inspected when I took them in to exchange them, so make sure you tell the teller at the bank you are traveling to Vietnam. They will pick out the best ones for you!
Some Things I Packed I Didn't Use
I packed too many long pairs of pants and too many long shirts. It was just too hot. I know some people like them for sun protection. I don't think I'm one of those people! I also packed a turban towel because sometimes after I wash my hair I like using them to keep my wet hair contained, but as I mentioned earlier, I got my hair washed and had a blow out most of the days I was traveling. I also packed a microfiber towel I didn't need. I don't know if I thought my accommodations were going to be more rustic than they were, but I didn't need it! The hotel had towels for the pool.
While it was hot and humid, I also didn't need my neck fan. It just ended up taking up space. I did see a few shops selling them and personal fans, so if you really think you need one, you can get them there.
How to Make it All Fit
I swear by packing cubes. I really do think I can fit more into my suitcase because I use them. I also got a new Away suitcase, and again, I really think it allows for more packing space.
Pro tip: I buy most of my clothing second hand. I often leave pieces behind when I travel {leave a note that you are gifting it} to make more room for any purchases I might make along the way. I think I left behind a dress and a shirt when I was traveling this time.
After years of traveling, I've learned that overpacking only weighs you down! Vietnam's laid-back vibe means you don't need to dress up too much, comfort really is key. And with cheap, easy laundry services, you can refresh your outfits while on your trip and still have plenty of room in your suitcase for treasures you'll want to bring home.
Have you been to Vietnam? What's your best packing tips for Southeast Asia? I'd love to hear them!
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