What to Pack for Vietnam

THE TRIP

• Destination: Vietnam (Hanoi, Halong Bay, Hue, Hoi An & Da Nang)
• Length: 10 days
• Weather: 80° Fahrenheit / 26° Celsius / mostly sunny, possible rain
• Activities: Sightseeing & exploring, cruise in Halong Bay, lots of walking & dining.
• Detailed itinerary here

 

MY APPROACH TO PACKING

I love packing, and I’m constantly working on my packing lists. When traveling, especially the type that involves lots of walking, I try to focus on function and comfort first, style second. A minimal but versatile wardrobe is my goal in packing.

Warm and humid weather – breathable fabric, cotton and linen tops and shorts.

Cooler nights on the cruise – long-sleeve shirt and warm jacket.

Lots of walking – durable, comfortable shoes. Always pack at least two pairs of shoes to vary pressure points on your feet.

For bottoms, I only packed one pair of loose-fitting jeans and two pairs of shorts, with the intention of buying a pair of those tropical-print boho pants when I arrived in Vietnam.

For luggage, I usually like to travel with a carryon suitcase only; checked bags are inconvenient and time-consuming. This time, I chose a weekender bag instead of a carryon suitcase, because our first stop in Hanoi Old Quarter would require quite a lot of walking with luggage.

 

WHAT I PACKED

TOPS + JACKETS

1 | Red striped tank
2 | Black striped tank
3 | Crop tee
4 | Grey tee by Everlane
5 | Short-sleeve shirt | could be dressed up or down
6 | Plaid shirt
7 | Green army jacket by A&F

BOTTOMS + DRESSES

1 | Perfect summer jeans by Madewell | always need a pair of versatile jeans
2 | Black linen shorts by Old Navy
3 | High-rise denim shorts by Madewell | stylish and easy to pair
4 | Shirt dress | casual, but could be dressed up

SHOES

1 | White sneakers by Superga
2 | Black sandals by American Eagle

ACCESSORIES

1 | Crossbody purse
2 | Weekender bag by Samsonite
3 | Sunglasses
4 | Umbrella

OTHER PIECES

1 | Toiletries
2 | A set of pajamas
3 | Two sets of bras & several undies
4 | Medical kit | painkillers, stomach relief, allergy relief, bandaids

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PACKING WRAP-UP

Two things I wish I had packed:

One more pair of pants | The weather was cooler than I expected at night, especially on the cruise, so I ended up wearing my summer jeans a ton. Although I did find a pair of printed boho pants I wanted in Hanoi’s night market, the quality was subpar; after washing just once, they shrunk and the color came off. I wish I had invested in a pair beforehand.

Birkenstocks | I was planning on packing my birks at first, but my weekender bag was getting pretty heavy so I took them out at the last minute. With the amount of walking we did, I really wish I had my Birkenstocks instead of the slide sandals.

I hope my list helps you make yours. Happy packing!