Vietnam is a lot of trips in one suitcase. In ten days you go from the chaos of Hanoi’s Old Quarter to a junk boat on Halong Bay, a stilt house in the Mai Chau hills, the imperial city of Hue and the lantern-lit streets of Hoi An.
That’s a few different climates, a few different dress codes and three domestic flights. So the goal is simple: pack light, pack smart, and leave room for the things you’ll want to bring home.
The short version? Breathable layers, something that covers your shoulders and knees, a light rain jacket, and shoes you can actually walk in. If you’re joining our Vietnam trip, this is exactly the list we’d hand a friend.
Table of Contents
When you go changes what you pack
April departure: warm and humid in the north, hot and mostly dry in Hue and Hoi An. Think linen, sundresses and a lot of sunscreen.
November departure: comfortable days and fresher evenings in Hanoi, cooler nights in the mountains and warm weather further south. Central Vietnam can get rain this time of year, so a light rain jacket is non-negotiable. A grey morning in Hue usually clears up.
Either way, Mai Chau sits up in the hills and nights there are cooler than people expect. Pack one warm layer even if Hanoi feels like a sauna.
What to wear in Vietnam
Day to day, Vietnam is relaxed about clothes. You’ll see shorts and tank tops in the cities. But temples, pagodas and the Imperial Citadel in Hue expect covered shoulders and knees, and you’ll visit a few on this trip.
The easy fix: wear whatever keeps you cool and carry a light scarf or overshirt for temple stops.
- 3 to 4 breathable tops (linen, cotton or quick-dry)
- 1 or 2 lightweight long-sleeve shirts for sun and temples
- 2 pairs of loose, light pants or a midi skirt
- Shorts or a sundress for the boat and free time
- A light scarf or sarong
- A cardigan or light fleece for Mai Chau nights and cold air-conditioned buses
- A packable rain jacket
- A swimsuit
- Quick-dry underwear and sleepwear (the humidity is real)
For your night on Halong Bay
You’ll kayak through a floating fishing village, hike up to a cave the next morning and spend golden hour on the sundeck. Bring your swimsuit, quick-dry shorts, a hat and sunscreen. A zip-lock or small dry bag keeps your phone safe in the kayak.
For the stilt-house homestay in Mai Chau
This is one of the best nights of the trip, and it is not a hotel. Expect simple rooms, shared bathrooms and roosters at dawn. Pack for it:
- Flip-flops or slides for the shared bathroom
- Earplugs (the roosters do not care about your jet lag)
- A small headlamp or your phone flashlight
- A warm layer for the evening
- Insect repellent
- A hanging toiletry bag so nothing sits on a wet floor
You’ll take your shoes off before going inside, which is normal in Vietnamese homes. Slip-ons make this a lot easier.
For Hue, Hoi An and the special dinners
Pack one outfit that feels a little nicer for breakfast inside the Queen Mother’s palace and the farewell dinner in Hoi An. A simple dress, or a nice top with light pants, is plenty.
And leave some room in your suitcase. Hoi An is famous for tailors who can make clothes in a day or two. If you want something made, go the afternoon you arrive.
Shoes: what to wear on your feet
You don’t need hiking boots. You do need comfortable shoes, because you’ll walk a lot: the Old Quarter, a cave climb, rice field paths and cobbled old towns.
- Supportive walking shoes or sneakers
- Strappy sandals for the boat and hot days
- Slip-ons or flip-flops for the homestay and temples
Whatever you bring, break it in first. New shoes plus a humid day is a blister waiting to happen.
Toiletries and health essentials
- Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF
- Insect repellent (mosquitoes come out at dusk)
- After-bite cream
- Hand sanitizer and travel tissues (not every public restroom has paper)
- Your preferred period products
- Electrolyte packets for hot days
- Motion sickness tablets for the boat and the winding road to Mai Chau
- Stomach meds, pain relievers and band-aids
- Prescription meds in their original packaging, plus a few extra days
It’s worth seeing your doctor or a travel clinic a few weeks before you go to check which vaccines they recommend for you.
Electronics and money
Vietnam uses a mix of plug types, often two round pins, and runs on 220 volts. Bring a universal adapter and check that your hair tools are dual voltage before you plug them in.
- Universal adapter
- Power bank for long travel days
- An eSIM or local SIM (easy to set up and cheap)
- Offline maps downloaded before you land
The currency is the Vietnamese dong, and the zeros take some getting used to. 100,000 dong is roughly 4 US dollars. Carry some cash for markets, street food and tips. Hotels and bigger restaurants take cards, and ATMs are easy to find in the cities.
What to leave at home
- Heavy jeans (too hot, slow to dry)
- Too many outfits (laundry is cheap and easy in Vietnam)
- Hiking boots
- A hair dryer (most hotels have one)
- An oversized suitcase (you have three domestic flights, so check your baggage allowance)
FAQ: packing for Vietnam
Do I need to cover up at temples?
Yes. Covered shoulders and knees are the standard for temples, pagodas and the Imperial Citadel. A light scarf in your day bag solves it.
Can I wear shorts in Vietnam?
Yes, especially in the cities and on the boat. Just keep a cover-up handy for temple visits.
Will it rain?
On the November trip, central Vietnam can get some rain, so bring a packable rain jacket. April is generally drier, but a light jacket earns its space either way.
Is laundry available?
Yes. Laundry is cheap and easy to find, which is why you can pack fewer clothes than you think.
What is the homestay actually like?
Simple, warm and genuine: a family-run stilt house in a Thai ethnic minority village, with shared bathrooms and a home-cooked dinner. Bring flip-flops, earplugs and a warm layer and you’ll love it.
Do I need a visa?
Most travelers, including US citizens, need an e-visa, which you apply for online before you go. Rules change, so check the official requirements for your passport.
The bottom line
Pack light, cover your shoulders at temples, bring a rain jacket and leave room for a lantern or two. The rest is noodles, karsts and new friends.
Want to see it with a small group of women? Take a look at our Vietnam trip, or browse all our upcoming trips.
