--- title: "What to Pack for Vietnam | Soca Islands" description: "A practical Vietnam packing list: clothes for north, central and south, temple dress, plugs, cash, health kit, apps and emergency numbers." canonical_url: "https://socaislands.com/es/insights/what-to-pack-for-vietnam" locale: es meta: "og:description": "A practical Vietnam packing list: clothes for north, central and south, temple dress, plugs, cash, health kit, apps and emergency numbers." "og:image": "https://socaislands.com/og-default.jpg" "og:image:height": "630" "og:image:width": "1200" "og:title": "What to Pack for Vietnam" "twitter:description": "A practical Vietnam packing list: clothes for north, central and south, temple dress, plugs, cash, health kit, apps and emergency numbers." "twitter:image": "https://socaislands.com/og-default.jpg" "twitter:title": "What to Pack for Vietnam" --- > Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://socaislands.com/llms.txt) [Islander Guides](https://socaislands.com/insights?category=islander-guides) # What to Pack for Vietnam May 5, 2024 Soca Islands Vietnam's weather changes a lot from north to south, so pack for where you're going and when. This guide covers the essentials, the clothes, and the small extras that make the trip easier. ## Your practical Vietnam packing guide ### Start with where and when you're traveling Vietnam is long and narrow, and each region runs on its own weather pattern. Check this before you pull out a single shirt, because it decides how many layers and how much rain gear you need. - North (Hanoi, Sapa, the mountains): cool from December to March, with chilly nights in the highlands. After that it turns sunny and dry, then the rains arrive from June to October. - Central (Hoi An and the coast): sunny for much of the year, but November and December tend to be wet and gray. - South (Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong): hot all year, hottest around the middle of the year, with regular afternoon storms in July and August. Across much of the country, the rainy months fall roughly between May and October. Expect heavy, sudden showers that pass quickly, and plan to stay dry rather than stay indoors. ### Documents and money Keep these together in a travel wallet or passport holder so you only have one thing to keep an eye on. - Passport with at least six months left on it after the date you leave Vietnam. Save a photo of the photo page on your phone and email a copy to yourself. - Visa or entry approval. Whether you need one depends on your nationality, and the rules change. Travelers from many countries, including Trinidad and Tobago, can apply online for an e-visa. Check Vietnam's official e-visa site well before you go. - Flight details, both on your phone and printed, in case your battery dies or you lose signal. - Travel insurance that covers medical care, theft or loss, and cancellation. Keep the policy email handy and save the insurer's emergency line in your contacts. - Some cash in Vietnamese dong (VND), plus a debit card and a credit card. Stash a backup card somewhere separate from your wallet. - An RFID-blocking sleeve for your cards if you want extra protection against contactless skimming. The dong comes in notes from 1,000 up to 500,000, so double-check the zeros when you pay. You can change money at banks and at licensed exchange counters with clear signs, and some hotels and travel agencies will swap major currencies too. Bigger hotels, shops and restaurants often take US dollars. Cash matters more than you might expect. Street food stalls, small bars and rural villages (such as those around Sapa) often can't take cards. ATMs are easy to find in cities, airports and popular areas, but they may cap how much you can take out each time and your bank may charge foreign fees. Pull out some dong when you land and keep a small reserve for emergencies. ### Health and a small first aid kit Some medicines are hard to find in Vietnam, so bring what you rely on from home. Talk to your doctor or a travel clinic about vaccines at least six weeks before departure, and ask about malaria tablets if you're heading into rural highland areas. - All prescription medicines, in original packaging, with a copy of each prescription - A doctor's letter if you have a medical condition or allergy that might need treatment - Pain relief and antihistamines - Anti-diarrhea tablets such as Imodium - DEET insect repellent and an anti-itch cream - Band-aids and blister pads - High-SPF sunscreen and SPF lip balm - Hand sanitizer Don't drink tap water anywhere in the country. Stick to bottled or filtered water, be sensible about what you eat, cover up against mosquitoes at dusk, and keep out of the midday sun when you can. ### Bags Bring two bags: a main bag and a daypack. - Main bag: a soft-sided duffel or a backpack squeezes into minibuses, trains and car trunks far more easily than a hard suitcase. - Daypack: big enough for a water bottle, camera, rain layer and sunscreen on walks and day trips. ### Clothes by region and season Think light, loose and breathable, then add layers for wherever it's cool. Pale colors and linen help a lot in the heat. - T-shirts and a few thin long-sleeved tops (good for sun and bugs) - Shorts, plus cotton or linen pants - Activewear for hikes - Swimwear - A packable rain jacket or poncho - A hoodie or sweater, essential for Hanoi and Sapa between December and March, and handy on chilly buses and in air-conditioned rooms anywhere - One smarter outfit for a nice dinner or a night out - Sunhat and sunglasses - Sneakers or light trail shoes with solid grip (usually better than heavy boots on local trails) - Sandals or flip-flops for the beach and the hotel Heading to central Vietnam in November or December? Make that rain jacket a proper waterproof. Going south at any time of year? You can leave most of the warm layers at home and focus on sun protection. ### Dressing for temples and local norms Vietnam is fairly conservative, and locals tend to dress modestly. Beachwear is fine at coastal resorts, but in towns and cities it's better to cover up a little more. At temples and pagodas, both men and women should cover shoulders and knees. Long pants or a long skirt with a sleeved top is the easy option. A big scarf or sarong also works, and you can pick one up cheaply at local markets. You'll usually remove your shoes before going in, so keep a pair of socks in your daypack if you'd rather not walk barefoot. Short on outfits? Hoi An is famous for its tailors. Bring a few photos of styles you like and have something made while you're there. ### Tech and power Vietnam mostly uses Type A sockets (two flat pins), with Type C and Type F (two round pins) also common. Plugs from the US, Canada and most of the Caribbean often fit without an adapter, but visitors from places like the UK, Australia and New Zealand will need one. A universal adapter covers every case. - Phone, camera and all chargers - Universal travel adapter - Power bank - Noise-canceling headphones, an eye mask and a neck pillow for the long flight For mobile data, pick up a local SIM at a kiosk in the arrivals hall of any international airport. Phone shops in towns sell them too, but doing it on arrival is simpler. Viettel, Mobifone and Vinaphone all have wide coverage. ### Apps worth downloading before you land - Grab: book cars and motorbike taxis at a set fare - Google Maps: directions, opening hours and reviews - Google Translate: point your camera at a menu or sign for an instant translation, and download the Vietnamese language pack for offline use - A Vietnamese phrasebook app for basic greetings and numbers - XE: quick currency conversions so you know what those dong prices mean - Foody: local reviews of restaurants, cafés and markets - TripAdvisor: reviews of sights and activities ### Small extras that earn their space - Refillable water bottle - Quick-dry travel towel - Handheld fan for humid days - Toiletries: toothbrush, toothpaste, deodorant, razor, hairbrush, moisturizer and a facial mist - Reusable cleansing cloths - A playlist and a good book about Vietnam for the journey ### Tipping and giving Tips are welcome in Vietnam but not required. Restaurants and bars commonly expect around 10% if you're happy with the service, though some add a service charge to the bill already, so look before you tip twice. If children ask you for money or candy, it's kinder not to give. Handouts can keep kids out of school and support organized begging. If you'd like to help, give to a local charity that works with street children or to a group such as UNICEF. ### Numbers to save - Police: 113 - Fire: 114 - Ambulance: 115 - Your embassy in Vietnam - Your insurer's emergency line and your airline - International numbers for your bank and phone carrier, so you can block a card or SIM from abroad Once you're on the ground, your Soca Islands Host is there to help with questions about local customs, getting around and anything you forgot to pack. [All insights](https://socaislands.com/insights) [More in Islander Guides](https://socaislands.com/insights?category=islander-guides) Keep reading ## More insights [Islander GuidesMay 5, 2024

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