I spent two months traveling through Vietnam and this is what I recommend packing

Musts

• Passport
• visa (if needed)
• vaccination card
• phone (+charger and cable)
• travel adapter
• wallet

I went right before the rainy season from April until June. It was tropical, humid, and the low temperatures varied from North to South. I started in Hanoi and rode my way down on a motorbike to HCM, then hopped a boat to Phu Quoc island and back to HCM. It was epic and gave me so much confidence that I alone could plan such a big trip, and then execute it with no issues. The easiest part was packing! Bottom line is, you don’t need much, and you can buy practically everything when you get there.

This packing list was intended for being on a motorbike for hours a day, so some items may not apply to you!

Clothes

• 2x merino wool or quick dry shirts
• 1x pair quick dry pants (with pockets)
• 1x pair “off duty” pants/shorts (cotton or linen is good—you can also buy those there)
• 1x rash guard (the sun is no joke)
• 1x bikini
• 1x rash guard
• 1x bandana (sun protection, a headband, board game)
• 1x dress (I love the chrysalis cardigan. Can be worn a minimum of 8 ways. So many dress variations and it folds down to an infinity scarf. The versatility is worth the cost and minor learning curve.)
• 1x wool sweater or wool thermal top (wool insulates even when wet)
• 1x rain jacket (no surprise here but you can also buy this in Vietnam. Quality varies)
• 1x wool tank (pjs)
• 1x pair wool leggings with pockets (pjs + plane)

Under layers

• 2x merino wool unders
• 2x bras (one merino wool bralette, one merino wool sport)
• 2x pairs of Darn Tough merino wool socks (great quality, excellent warranty!)

Footwear

• Chacos (💖💖💖)
• Sneakers (sturdy hiking shoe or boot for motorcycle riding)

Toiletries (decant because you de-can, and opt for solid toiletries when possible)

• Baking soda deodorant (decanted into a small tin)
• UL toothbrush (or a more reasonable Travel toothbrush)
• 1x bite guard 
• toothpaste tabs (or tiny airplane tubes)
• 2x tooth flossers 
• SPF 50 Face moisturizer (decanted into a lip gloss tube)
• Tinted sunscreen 1 oz. tin (for my face)
• sunscreen stick (for everywhere else)
• Diva cup 
• hair brush
• spf lip balm
• Solid conditioner bar in matador case (they also have solid shampoo)
• Dr Bronners soap in a matador case (soap for body, hair, and clothes)
• 1x pack of hand soap flakes (bathrooms tend to lack soap)
• 1x hair clip
• 2x hair ties 
• lanolin lip balm (The best for chapped lips. Ignore the packaging in the link. I buy this one and decant it into lip gloss tubes)

Miscellaneous

• travel towel (small & quick drying. Not all are made equally!)
• Travel adapter
• mini pen
• hat
• 1x padlock (for hostel lockers)
• kula cloth (For those who squat to pee. Vietnam uses “butt guns” instead of tp (it’s a hose next to the commode) the Kula is useful for pat drying or for going outside)
• photocopies of all my important documents
• Laundry kit: Downy wrinkle release, Tide to Go mini pen, detergent sheets in a ziplock (for machine washes), mini sewing kit (or a needle with a long thread attached to it in a baggie), 9′ of paracord (DIY laundry line)

First Aid (*I am not a doctor, these are suggestions)

• 4x bandaids (different sizes)
• mini sewing kit (or a needle with a long thread attached to it in a baggie)
• 1x “Swiss army knife” (never had an issue with TSA or EU equivalent)
• assorted meds in a 1 oz. tin or tiny zipped baggies
  • Imodium, gas x, Pepto, Tums, Tagamet (for sensitive travel-bellies)
  • ibuprofen, Excedrin, melatonin
  • Azithromycin (for travelers diarrhea. Prescription often required)
• 1’ of anti-blister tape (wrapped around a q tip) or Compeed (if needed)
• 1x contact lens container with hydrocortisone cream and bug balm
• Electrolyte chewable tablets 

Electronics

• external battery bank
• 1x 30w charger that’s compliant (save yourself the bulk of a big adapter and buy a small one in Vietnam after you land)
• 6’ charging cable (6’ minimum cause plug locations can be awkward)
• AirPods or headphones (I bring an adaptor to use on airplanes or audio tours)
• 1x USB-C to USB-A adapter (not all public ports have upgraded to USB-C)

Motorcycle specific

This may seem a bit overkill since the locals are in shorts and flip flops, and either no helmet–or a helmet with the level of protection of a salad bowl– but I ride fully armored at home. I decided to relax my riding outfit for this trip so that what I brought could be more versatile. The bike I got was a Detech Win 110cc which meant I maxed out at ~45-50 mph. With that in mind, I opted for thicker quick-dry pants, a jean jacket, and low ankle hiking shoes.

If you’re doing a North to South trip like I did, you’ll be on your bike much longer than a local will be. There’s bugs, gravel, and the hot sun on you so I highly recommend close toed shoes, a long sleeve dirt bike shirt/jean jacket, and a DOT approved helmet. I brought my off road helmet from home which includes my goggles for eye protection.

• International Driving Permit
• 1x Jean jacket (great for the mountains in the North, good sun protection, a layer between you and the asphalt or gravel. I’d rather sweat than bleed.)
• 1x pair armored riding gloves
• 1x DOT approved off road style helmet (took the beak off for the airplane, stuffed it in the carry bag, and used it as a personal item. I was able to fit my in-flight comforts in the bag and it all fit under the seat. The helmets in Vietnam are terrible. Bring a padlock to lock your helmet to your bike during the day.)
• 1x pair goggles (if needed)
• 1x pair of durable shoes (I picked low ankle hiking shoes since I was also going to be hiking during my trip. They protected my feet on the long hauls. Once I was off the bike for the day I lived in sandals)
• 1x set of Rok Straps (some companies put a luggage rack on the bike and give you bungees, but I wanted the peace of mind of really good pack straps. You don’t want to wear your bag all day.)

Baggage

• sling bag or bum bag
• Packable tote bag
• 28L matador waterproof backpack (when I went hiking I dumped the contents of my bag into my tote)

eSIM

I use Airalo when I travel abroad because it’s easy, works well, and the price is right. This is a data only eSIM. Through experience I’ve learned that I only need a data plan, and that it’s much cheaper than upgrading my domestic cellphone plan. Use referral code GWACO8480 to receive $3.00 off your next eSIM with Airalo!

I hope this list helps you pack lighter on your next adventure. Less is more!

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