Vietnam, Cool & Dry
A curated packing list for your trip from Hanoi old quarter to the Mekong Delta, with Hoi An lantern nights and Halong Bay overnight in between. Built for warm southern days, surprising northern cold, and the constant rhythm of motorbikes.
Border & arrival
What customs and immigration expect.
On the ground
How life actually works once you arrive.
E-visa or 45-day exemption
US, Canadian, and Australian citizens need an e-visa: $25 single-entry or $50 multiple-entry, up to 90 days. UK citizens get 45 days visa-free, no e-visa needed for shorter stays. Passport must be valid 6+ months with 2 blank pages. Apply at evisa.gov.vn and use the EXACT name on your passport (middle names included) to avoid airline boarding refusals.
Cash is king, dong looks alike
Cards work at hotels and tourist restaurants in cities, but everywhere else is cash. ATM fees run 22,000-55,000 VND ($0.85-$2.15) per transaction; max 2-10M VND per pull depending on bank. Watch the 20,000 VND and 500,000 VND notes, they are nearly the same blue. Keep small bills handy.
Tipping is appreciated, not expected
No service charges, no tipping culture historically, but it is becoming common. Round up bills, leave 5-10% at nicer restaurants, 20,000-50,000 VND per night for housekeeping, 50,000-200,000 VND for tour guides depending on the day length. Cash directly to the person.
Always negotiate the taxi or motorbike fare
Reputable taxis: Vinasun (white, green stripe) or Mai Linh (green). Otherwise use Grab or Be (apps, fixed fares). For motorbike taxis, agree on the price before getting on. Counterfeit "Vinasun" cabs are a known scam; check the logo and the meter.
Modest dress at temples and pagodas
Shoulders and knees covered. Shoes off at every pagoda, temple, and many homes. Quan Cong Temple in Hoi An, Tran Quoc Pagoda in Hanoi, and most ancestor halls require this. A scarf or sarong handles every situation.
Type A, C, and F plugs at 220V
Older buildings have Type A (US-style two-pin), newer ones use Type C and F (European). Voltage is 220V/50Hz. Most modern phone, laptop, and camera chargers handle it; single-voltage US-only hair tools will burn out without a step-down converter.
Pre-Trip Checklist
Bookings, applications, and admin for the weeks before departure. Work backwards from your trip date.
- 6 weeks out
- 4 weeks out
- 2 weeks out
- 1 week out
- Day before
- Day of
Clothing
Layered to handle the north-south swing. Linen for the south, wool layers for Hanoi and Sapa.
Shoes
Off at temples, on for kilometers of walking. Hoi An old town is cobblestone.
Toiletries & Personal Care
Pharmacies are cheap and stocked. Pack travel sizes; restock at any Circle K or Vinmart.
Health & Medications
Stomach bugs, mosquito bites, and exhaust-air respiratory irritation are the everyday risks.
Documents & Money
E-visa (or 45-day passport stamp) plus cash. Cards in cities, cash everywhere else.
Tech & Electronics
Plugs are mostly Type A and C. Universal adapter handles everything.
Luggage & Organization
Soft-sided bags travel sleeper trains and motorbike taxis better than hard cases.
Comfort & In-Transit
Long flights, longer overnight buses, sleeper trains. Make peace with it.
Weather & Climate Gear
Sun protection in the south, real warmth in the north. Pack both.
Cultural & Activity-Specific
Temples, tailors, and the famous Hoi An night market each ask something different.
Safety & Precautions
Vietnam is broadly safe; motorbike snatch-and-grab thefts target tourists in cities.