The short answer
- Clothes
- Light, quick drying
- North in winter
- Fleece and warm jacket
- All year
- Light rain jacket
- Plugs
- Two flat or two round pins, 220V
Packing for Vietnam is mostly about its range of climates. A two week north to south trip in December can go from 10°C nights in Hanoi to 32°C afternoons in Ho Chi Minh City.
Pack light: laundry is cheap and fast in most hotels, and Hoi An's tailors can make clothes in a day or two.
Clothing
- Light, breathable, quick drying shirts and trousers or skirts.
- Something covering shoulders and knees for temples, pagodas and Hue's Imperial City.
- A fleece and a light down or padded jacket for Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Sapa from December to February.
- A light rain jacket or poncho: showers are possible in every region at some time of year.
- Swimwear for cruises, Hoi An's beaches and Phu Quoc.
Shoes
- Comfortable walking shoes or trail shoes with grip for Sapa's muddy paths and Hang Mua's steps.
- Sandals that can get wet, for boats, beaches and rain.
- Slip on shoes are handy when you need to take them off for temples and homestays.
Health kit
- Insect repellent with DEET or picaridin.
- High factor sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
- Rehydration salts and your usual stomach remedies.
- Hand sanitiser and tissues.
- Any prescription medicines in their original packaging.
Documents and tech
- Passport valid for six months, and a printed e-Visa if you need one.
- Travel insurance details, including cover for weather disruption.
- A universal plug adaptor and a power bank for long travel days.
- A small dry bag to protect your phone on boats and in the rain.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it cold in Vietnam in winter?
In the north, yes. Hanoi has daytime highs around 20°C and cool nights in December and January, and Sapa can be close to freezing. The south stays hot.
What should I wear in Vietnam temples?
Cover your shoulders and knees, and take off your shoes where you see others doing so.
Vietnam month by month
More Vietnam guides
Best time to visit Vietnam: north, central and south explained
Vietnam has three climates. March and April are good everywhere; the north is best in spring and autumn, the centre from February to August and the south from December to April.
Updated 14 October 2026
Vietnam month by month: weather, festivals and where to go
A month by month planner for Vietnam: the weather in each region, the festivals worth timing a trip around, and where to go.
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How many days in Vietnam? Routes for 7, 10, 14 and 21 days
One week suits the north or the centre, two weeks covers north to south with a Ha Long Bay cruise, and three weeks adds Sapa, the Mekong and a beach.
Updated 14 October 2026
Ha Long Bay cruise guide: which bay, how long and what it costs
One night is the sweet spot. Choose Lan Ha or Bai Tu Long Bay for fewer boats, or Ha Long Bay for the famous caves. Live prices for 1 and 2 night cruises.
Updated 14 October 2026