Planning a trip to Vietnam? Get ready to explore one of the most beautiful and affordable destinations in Southeast Asia! After our many adventures in the country, I’m happy to share these Vietnam outfit ideas with what to add to your packing list. Here are some of my favorite Vietnam outfits and inspo for your next visit!
Vietnam Outfits for Tropical Weather
Vietnam is a hot and tropical climate year round. However, instead of your typical seasons, it’s split into wet and dry periods.
This is why it’s so important to coordinate your Vietnam outfits with the time of year you’re visiting. The wet season is no joke, with popular river towns like Hoi An regularly flooding.
Another thing to mention is that areas like Da Lat, Sapa and Ha Giang are set at a much higher elevation for cooler weather year round.
The wet season runs roughly from May to October and the dry months go November to April. This is why Vietnam is such a great place to visit during winter in Europe and the United States! Still, certain parts of the country can vary with weather.
Backpack vs Rolling Suitcase
So you’ve booked your flight, and you’re ready to start your Vietnam packing list! Before we get to all those cute Vietnam outfits, you should really think about what type of trip you’re taking.
Many travelers pick destinations in Southeast Asia for an adventure and less of a luxury style vacation. If you’re planning to travel around Vietnam like this, then the best option is a backpack.
It’s not as easy to bring a rolling suitcase onto trains, night buses, and in between hotels. The streets are especially wild in cities like Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi, where having everything on your back can make a huge difference.
We personally have been using this one for years. It’s definitely smaller and more compact than others you might see, but we absolutely love how compact it is.
If you’ve traveled a lot and never used a backpack like this, then don’t worry! You can still get away with a rolling suitcase in Vietnam.
It definitely won’t be as annoying as if you were island hopping in Thailand for example. Just know this is a better option if you’re planning to do more private transfers and flights to get around.
→ Vietnam vs Thailand: How to Choose the Perfect Destination
Planning Your Visit to Vietnam
Popular Routes: There are so many fun regions of this country to explore! One of our favorite routes ever was this northern Vietnam itinerary that included Hanoi, Tam Coc, Halong Bay, and the Ha Giang Loop. We’ve also spent a lot of time in central and southern Vietnam, and have even lived in Da Nang for months at a time.
Start With These Guides: Here are some guides from our travels to get you ready and excited for your trip.
- 50 Fun Facts About Vietnam: Weird and Wild Things to Know!
- One Month Vietnam Itinerary: Ultimate Guide South to North
- How to Get Around Vietnam (5 Best Options!)
Getting Around: Vietnam is well connected with cheap transportation options like trains and night buses. You can easily book online on 12go and compare different companies.
Grab Taxi is a great way to get around in the cities. There are even Halong Bay luxury cruises that would be an amazing addition to your itinerary!
Motorbikes are a way of life in Southeast Asia, but this is NOT the place for beginners to learn. Only rent a motorbike in Vietnam if you have a high level prior experience.
Travel Insurance: That brings us to our next point! We always use SafetyWing when traveling abroad. It’s so important to be protected in case of an accident, food poisoning, or any other health matters that come up during your trip.
6 Vietnam Outfit Ideas for Your Packing List
1. Travel Days
Most travelers visiting Vietnam actually go for a longer time. Instead of a week-long vacation, it’s common to plan for two weeks and even a month or more. With that said, there can still be a lot of travel days you’ll have to plan Vietnam outfits for.
You’ll want to wear something that’s comfortable for jumping in and out of transport. Vans, buses, taxis, and flights are all part of a normal travel day in Vietnam!
I always try to dress as simple as possible. A solid color shorts like blue, green, or black and then a loose fitting top.
If I’m going to be sitting for a long time (like on an overnight bus), I will opt for comfy pants instead. It’s also good to have a sweatshirt within reach, as it’s common for them to blast the air conditioning in Southeast Asia.
→ We always use this website to compare prices and different transport options in Vietnam.
2. Vietnam Outfits for the Big City
While dresses were always my go-to Vietnam outfit, I would often opt for something easier in the big cities. Ho Chi Minh City is in the south where it can get extremely hot. A loose pair of tan shorts and casual cotton t-shirt is perfect for your days out.
In contrast, the weather in Hanoi tends to be cooler in the north. I recommend always having an extra thin layer with you if possible.
If you have to pick one city, we would opt for Hanoi. The food is amazing and somewhere you could spend an entire week eating out and never get bored. Read more about the best food in Vietnam to try before your visit.
3. Adventures Afternoons
Many of our days are spent out on a motorbike exploring outside of the main cities and towns. This is when you’ll need Vietnam outfit ideas that are easy to hop on and off with.
Also, bring an extra warm layer because the weather can change quickly. Trust me when I say it can get a little chilly on the back of a motorbike!
As we mentioned, motorbikes are only for experienced riders in Vietnam. The traffic can be crazy and it’s not so enjoyable until you get out into nature in places like Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
You can rent bicycles to get around some of the smaller towns. Cruising through the countryside in between the rice paddies makes for such a fun day out!
4. Vietnam Outfit for Beach Days
Vietnam isn’t really known for its beaches compared to the Thai Islands and other destinations in Southeast Asia. Yet, there are still plenty of places to swim along the vast coast!
We spent a lot of time relaxing on the Da Nang Beaches and loved our trips to Phu Quoc Island. Depending on your accommodation style, your hotel may have a swimming pool to cool off in on hot days.
You will see almost all bathing suit styles at the beach, so wear whatever you’re comfortable in. However, once you leave the beach, you’ll definitely want to cover up.
Make sure to throw on a sun dress or beach wrap, even if you’re just popping up to a beach bar to grab a drink. It’s also smart to add a nice pair of sandals or flip flops to your Vietnam packing list.
5. Summer Dresses
Honestly, the majority of my Vietnam outfits were just dresses. They are lightweight, pack up well, and are comfortable in the warmer weather.
Most of the dresses from my photos are ones that I bought at the different markets around the country. The patterns and colors are so unique. Plus, you can’t beat the prices for handmade clothes and silk in famous towns like Hoi An (more on this soon).
Bright colors are totally normal to see, especially when you get outside the large cities. Definitely consider this when thinking of your own Vietnam outfit ideas!
6. Weather Protection
Dry season can be particularly hot in Vietnam, but don’t expect it to be sunny every single day. They’ll still be many cloudy afternoons, random rain showers, and unpredictable weather.
I always bring one Vietnam outfit with pants and a long sleeve shirt. This is something casual and comfortable. Black loose linen pants work great with a thin sweater.
No matter the time of year, you’ll absolutely want a rain jacket. Pack something lightweight that can easily roll up and be put away.
Shopping For Vietnam Outfits
Vietnam is one of the best countries in the world to shop in! For this reason, you’ll want to make sure to leave room in your bag.
There are some places that you can even get clothing custom made for you. I did it on our last visit to Hoi An and had 5 different dresses made. Jake even got a full suit with a pair of custom leather shoes for just $100 USD.
You’ll see different brands like North Face, Nike, and Puma out shopping. It’s well known that some of these clothes are knockoffs. Nevertheless, many major companies have their manufacturing in Vietnam, so the quality can be quite good.
Remember that it will be simple to buy Vietnam outfits or anything extra you forgot for your trip.
Have any questions on this article or want to share more of your favorite Vietnam outfit ideas? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
