Clothing & Packing List
Vietnam is tropical-hot, but dress code rules vary:
What to Pack?
- Light, breathable clothing: Cotton or functional fiber. Long sleeves protect against sun and mosquitoes.
- Temple-appropriate clothing: Knees and shoulders covered! Have a light scarf or sarong handy.
- Rain jacket/poncho: A MUST in the rainy season. Essential on a motorcycle. Cheap ponchos are available everywhere for 20,000 VND.
- Warm layer: For Sapa, Ha Giang, Đà Lạt, and air-conditioned buses (which are ICE COLD!).
- Comfortable shoes: Sandals for everyday, sturdy shoes for trekking. Flip-flops for the shower.
- Hat/cap: The sun is relentless, especially in the south.
What to Buy Locally
Vietnam is cheap for shopping — you better buy many things locally:
- Tailored clothing: Hội An! Suit from 80€, dress from 25€, shirt from 15€.
- Rain poncho: 20,000 VND everywhere.
- Sandals: 50,000–100,000 VND at any market.
- Laundry: 1 kg = 20,000–30,000 VND (≈ 1€). Next-day service everywhere.
💡 Tipp
Take only half of what you plan to pack. In Vietnam, you can buy everything cheaply or have it washed. The night buses and trains are ICE COLD air-conditioned — a thin fleece or a large scarf as a blanket is worth its weight in gold!
