Vietnam packing checklist (printable)

This checklist covers what most travelers need for a standard trip to Vietnam. Print it, tick the boxes before you leave, and adjust for your season using the additions at the bottom. The base list works for any region and any time of year.

Documents

• Passport (valid for at least six months beyond your entry date)
• E-visa or visa on arrival approval letter, printed and digital copy
• Travel insurance policy documents, printed
• Flight bookings, printed or saved offline
• Hotel confirmations for first night, at least
• Emergency contact list (separate from your phone)
• One photocopy of your passport data page, kept separate from the original

Most hotels will hold your passport briefly to scan it. Having a photocopy means you are not without ID if anything goes wrong.

Money

• Debit card with low foreign transaction fees (Wise and Revolut both work well in Vietnam in 2026)
• Credit card for hotel deposits and emergencies
• USD 100-200 in cash as backup — USD is widely accepted but VND is better for daily spending
• Small wallet or money belt for busy markets

ATMs are plentiful in cities. Most charge around 40,000-85,000 VND per withdrawal. Budget banks and independent ATMs often have lower fees than the big international banks.

Electronics

• Phone and charging cable
• Universal power adapter (Vietnam uses Type A and Type C outlets, 220V)
• Portable power bank
• Earphones or earbuds
• Camera and memory cards if you use a dedicated camera
• Laptop or tablet if needed
• Vietnamese SIM or eSIM plan arranged in advance

Vietnamese SIM cards from Viettel, Vietnamobile, or Vinaphone cost around 200,000-350,000 VND with generous data at airport counters. International eSIMs work but tend to cost more for the same data.

Clothing — base list

This base list suits temperatures above 25C, which covers the south year-round and the central coast outside of winter.

• 5-7 lightweight T-shirts or breathable tops
• 2-3 pairs of lightweight trousers or long skirts (required for temple visits)
• 2-3 pairs of shorts
• 1 lightweight long-sleeved shirt (sun protection, temple entry, cool evenings)
• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers
• Flip-flops or sandals
• 5-7 changes of underwear
• 3-5 pairs of socks
• Light jacket or zip-up fleece (for air-conditioned buses and restaurants)
• Sun hat or cap
• Sunglasses

Laundry is cheap and fast in Vietnam — most guesthouses offer it for 20,000-40,000 VND per kg. You do not need to pack for every day of a long trip.

Clothing — dry-season add

The dry season varies by region. Check weather by month for the specific corridor you are visiting before finalising this section.

• Extra lightweight tops if you are in the south March-May, when it is very hot
• UV-protection rash vest if you plan beach or water activities
• Light linen or cotton trousers for daytime comfort

Clothing — monsoon add

If you are traveling during wet season, see the full breakdown at monsoon vs dry packing for what actually gets wet and what does not.

• Compact waterproof rain jacket (poncho style works well on motorbikes)
• Waterproof cover for your day bag or backpack
• One extra pair of shoes or sandals that dry quickly
• Quick-dry towel
• Zip-lock bags for electronics and documents in your bag

A full waterproof jacket is more useful than an umbrella if you will be on motorbikes or walking for stretches. Umbrellas are available everywhere for under 50,000 VND if you need one on the ground.

Clothing — north winter add

Northern Vietnam, particularly Hanoi and the surrounding highlands (Sapa, Hà Giang), gets genuinely cold from November through February. Sapa can go below 5C.

• Mid-layer fleece or down jacket
• Thermal base layer top and bottom
• Warm hat and gloves (especially for motorbike riding at altitude)
• Thicker socks
• Waterproof outer layer that handles cold rain

Warm layers are available to hire or buy cheaply in Sapa if you arrive underprepared, but quality varies.

Toiletries

• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Shampoo and conditioner (travel size or buy locally)
• Soap or body wash
• Deodorant
• Sunscreen SPF 50+ (harder to find, more expensive locally — bring enough)
• Insect repellent containing DEET or Picaridin
• Lip balm with SPF
• Feminine hygiene products if needed (available in cities, limited in rural areas)
• Razor
• Nail clippers

Most toiletries are available in Vietnamese supermarkets and pharmacies at low prices. Sunscreen and DEET repellent are the two items worth bringing from home.

Health and medication

Check the honest pre-flight checklist for health admin that needs doing before departure — vaccinations, prescriptions, and travel insurance activation.

• Prescription medication, enough for the full trip plus a few extra days
• Basic painkiller (paracetamol or ibuprofen)
• Antihistamine tablets
• Oral rehydration sachets (stomach bugs happen)
• Antidiarrheal medication
• Antiseptic wipes or small antiseptic cream
• Plasters and a few bandages
• Any personal first aid items

Vietnamese pharmacies (nha thuoc) are common in every town and reasonably well-stocked. Most basic medications are available over the counter.

What to leave behind

These items add weight or create problems at customs without meaningful benefit:

• Bulky towels — hotels provide them; a quick-dry travel towel covers any gap
• Hair dryer — nearly every accommodation provides one; voltage incompatibility is also a risk
• Lots of guidebooks — download digital versions or use reliable sites; physical guides are heavy and go out of date
• Expensive jewelry — it attracts attention and is easy to lose
• Full wardrobe of smart clothes — Vietnam is casual almost everywhere; one smart outfit covers most situations
• Excessive cash — carrying large amounts of cash increases your risk if you are robbed

Related

• Monsoon vs dry packing
• The honest pre-flight checklist
• Weather by month