Vietnam packing list: what to pack, month by month
This list is made by TripRai's code from our 7-day Vietnam itinerary (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Hoi An), for a traveller from India. Every item with a day next to it is there because of that day. Plan your own trip and you get the same kind of list, made from your own days, dates and food.
Plan a trip to Vietnam with its own packing list →Documents and money
- Passport (valid for 6+ months) and photocopies
- Visa or e-visa printout (if your nationality needs one)
- Travel insurance documents
- Forex card and some cash in VND
- eSIM or international roaming
- Travel adapter: Type A/C
What the days of this trip need
From the sample itinerary, 7 days: 1 place of worship, 2 beaches and islands, 1 boat trip, 1 hilly walk, 1 long bus ride and 3 flights.
- Swimwear (2–3)Day 3 Day cruise among the limestone islands and caves · Day 6 Marble Mountains or An Bang beach
- Flip-flops or sandalsDay 3 Day cruise among the limestone islands and caves · Day 6 Marble Mountains or An Bang beach
- Comfortable walking shoesDay 1 Hoan Kiem Lake and an Old Quarter street-food walk · Day 3 Day cruise among the limestone islands and caves: steps and slopes · Day 4 Lantern-lit old town
- Modest clothes (shoulders and knees covered)Day 2 Temple of Literature
- Socks that are easy to take offDay 2 Temple of Literature: shoes may come off inside
- Sunscreen (SPF 30+, reef-safe)Day 3 Day cruise among the limestone islands and caves · Day 6 Marble Mountains or An Bang beach
- Beach towelDay 3 Day cruise among the limestone islands and caves · Day 6 Marble Mountains or An Bang beach
- Insect repellentMosquitoes in the tropics
- Waterproof pouch or dry bag for phone and papersDay 3 Day cruise among the limestone islands and caves
- Motion-sickness tablets (boats)Day 3 Day cruise among the limestone islands and caves
- Charger and power bank in hand luggage (never checked in)Day 1 Delhi to Hanoi · Day 4 Fly to Da Nang · Day 7 Da Nang to Delhi
- Liquids under 100 ml in a clear bagDay 1 Delhi to Hanoi · Day 4 Fly to Da Nang · Day 7 Da Nang to Delhi
- A pen for the arrival cardDay 1 Delhi to Hanoi · Day 7 Da Nang to Delhi
- Neck pillow and a light shawl for the flightDay 1 Delhi to Hanoi · Day 7 Da Nang to Delhi
Vietnam weather, month by month
What each month usually feels like, for packing (not a forecast). ☂ marks the rainy season.
| City | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanoi | Cool | Cool | Mild | Warm | Hot ☂ | Hot ☂ | Hot ☂ | Hot ☂ | Warm ☂ | Warm ☂ | Mild | Cool |
| Ha Long Bay | Cool | Cool | Mild | Warm | Hot ☂ | Hot ☂ | Hot ☂ | Hot ☂ | Warm ☂ | Warm ☂ | Mild | Cool |
| Hoi An | Warm | Warm | Hot | Hot | Hot | Warm | Warm | Warm | Warm ☂ | Warm ☂ | Warm ☂ | Warm ☂ |
- Cool · ~12–20°CLight jacket
- Mild · ~18–25°CLight jacket or a layer for the evening
- Warm · ~25–32°CLight, breathable cotton clothes, sunglasses
- Hot · over ~32°CLight, breathable cotton clothes, sunglasses, sun hat or cap, reusable water bottle
The base checklist (Beach trip)
For the sample trip's weather; a plan of your own follows your dates (no jeans or jacket in a hot month, for example).
Clothing
- Underwear and socks
- Sleepwear
- Cover-up or sarong
- Shorts
- Light t-shirts / tops
- A casual evening outfit
- Light sweater or hoodie
- Sun hat or cap
- Sunglasses
- Clothes for 7 days
Beach gear
- After-sun or aloe vera gel
- Reusable water bottle
- Waterproof phone pouch
- Beach bag
- Snorkel and mask (or rent there)
Toiletries
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- Deodorant
- Shampoo and conditioner (travel size)
- Moisturiser
- Razor or grooming kit
- Lip balm
- Hair ties / clips
Tech & essentials
- Phone and charger
- Power bank
- Earphones
- Debit / credit cards and some cash
- Copies of bookings (offline)
- Camera or action camera
Health
- Prescription medicines
- Basic first-aid kit (paracetamol, plasters, ORS, antacid)
- Hand sanitiser
- Eye drops
Questions
Do I need a travel adapter for Vietnam?
Yes. Vietnam uses Type A/C sockets, and Indian plugs do not fit them.
What is the weather like in Hanoi through the year?
Roughly: January–February: cool (~12–20°C); March: mild (~18–25°C); April: warm (~25–32°C); May–August: hot (over ~32°C); September–October: warm (~25–32°C); November: mild (~18–25°C); December: cool (~12–20°C). It depends on the region: the north (Hanoi, Ha Long Bay) is best from October to April, the centre (Hoi An) from February to August, and the south from December to April.
When is the rainy season in Vietnam?
Roughly May, June, July, August, September and October (it varies by region). In those months pack a compact umbrella, a raincoat or poncho and a waterproof pouch for your phone and papers.
Which money should I carry to Vietnam?
A forex card and some cash in VND for small shops, markets and tips.
What should I wear to religious sites in Vietnam?
Clothes that cover shoulders and knees. Shoes may come off inside, so socks that are easy to take off help. On the sample itinerary: Day 2 Temple of Literature.
How do vegetarian, Jain or vegan travellers manage food in Vietnam?
Ask for 'chay' (vegetarian): Buddhist vegetarian restaurants are common, especially near pagodas. Pho and bun cha are meat-based, so try banh mi chay, fresh spring rolls and cao lau without pork. A short food card in Vietnamese ("no meat, fish or egg"; for Jain food, also no onion, garlic or root vegetables) helps when ordering. TripRai plans every meal of a trip around what you eat.
A packing list for your own trip
Tell TripRai your dates, cities, food and who is coming. You get the whole trip day by day with estimated costs, and a packing list made from those days and that month's weather, to tick off and share on WhatsApp.
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