What to wear in Vietnam: My practical tips for a two week trip

If you’re wondering what to wear in Vietnam, the short answer is: it depends on where you’re going, when and what you plan to do. Vietnam is incredibly diverse, and what works in Hanoi or Halong Bay won’t necessarily work in Sapa, the Ha Giang Loop or Hoi An.

We travelled across the country from north to south for just over two weeks in late April/early May, focusing on nature, mountains and active experiences rather than Instagram-perfect moments. So these tips reflect the way we travel: practical, sun-safe, comfortable, and easy to wash and re-wear when you’re moving every one or two nights.

Along the way, we saw many travellers struggling with the heat, wearing clothes that weren’t practical for walks, motorbike rides, or temples. Here’s everything that helped us stay comfortable from north to south of Vietnam.

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Vietnam in late April/early May: what the weather was really like

Vietnam surprised me with how much the weather changed as we moved around:

• Hanoi & Ninh Binh: warm and humid
• Pu Luong: mild, great for walking
• Sapa: showers, muddy, and cooler (but not cold!)
• Ha Giang Loop: sunny, rainy, foggy, and noticeably cooler (see my Ha Giang loop packing list if that’s on your itinerary)
• Halong Bay: warm days, pleasant evenings
• Hoi An & Hue: the hottest part of the trip by far
• Ho Chi Minh City & Mekong: humid but manageable

These differences are exactly why your clothing choices matter: you need things that protect you from the sun, dry quickly, and work for both hot afternoons and cooler evenings in some destinations. If you travel during winter, you’ll want warmer clothes than what I packed.

My essential clothing for Vietnam

Quick-dry long-sleeve breathable tops and long pants

A must-have in hot, humid destinations and my favourite for hiking or kayaking. They dry fast when you wash them at night and don’t feel sticky like cotton does.

People assume long sleeves and pants are too hot, but mine kept me cooler than T-shirts and shorts. Long sleeves act like portable shade: less sun on your skin = less heat absorbed. They also protected me from the sun: if your skin burns, your whole body temperature rises, and you become more sensitive to heat.

I’d keep my t-shirts for when I knew we’d spend a lot of time in the car or in the shade.

You want loose tops with fabrics that wick moisture away from your skin and allow airflow. And if you want to stay cool while looking chic, have a look at an oversized long sleeve button shirt made for the beach, a tunic style top or a batwing blouse (no ironing needed!).

For pants, I recommend light leggings or quick-dry hiking pants for active days, and linen pants for evenings or slower days when you want to stay cool but look a bit more elegant. I personally wouldn’t go for a dress or skirt because I prefer having my legs covered to avoid mosquito bites and reduce the amount of repellent I need to apply.

A cap or a hat

Absolutely essential. Shade is limited in many places, especially on walks or boat tours.

A shawl

You can buy one in Vietnam. I use it constantly when I travel, when the aircon is too strong on transport or to cover my shoulders in temples if I’m not wearing a top with sleeves. You’ll likely visit temples or pagodas during your trip; it’s expected to cover shoulders and legs.

A light windbreaker and water-repellent fleece

Perfect for the evenings on the Ha Giang Loop and rainy days on the motorbike. I packed a small puffer jacket but never needed it; a thin fleece was enough for that season (but it does get colder in winter!).

Comfortable footwear

We walk a lot, and Vietnam’s terrain isn’t always flat or dry.

• Hiking/walking shoes: I alternated between my Asolo Drifter boots and running shoes while in Vietnam, but in order to only pack one pair, I’d recommend looking at the Salomon X Ultra Pioneer, which are more versatile than rigid boots. Waterproof hiking shoes with good grip were very useful in Sapa because it was muddy and my Asolos were easy to clean afterwards. You’ll also want enclosed shoes for any motorbike trips (see my Ha Giang loop packing list if it’s on your itinerary).
• Sandals: I used an old pair of Birkenstocks. It was good for days when we often needed to take shoes off (temples, homestays, some minibuses) and stay cool, and for the evening.

Nicer but still comfortable clothes for evenings

I don’t dress for Instagram, but I still like to look somewhat elegant when we go out for dinner. A couple of lightweight pieces and one pair of loose bamboo or linen pants should be enough for the whole trip if you can do laundry. I’d make sure I could wear the tops for a day excursion too, if we weren’t going to be too active that day.

Fabrics that work (and what to avoid)

The fabrics I enjoyed wearing in Vietnam

• Quick-dry (moisture wicking) fabrics like polyester or polyamide: The easiest to wash and re-wear. Great for active days but you can also find elegant lightweight tops.
• Linen: Loved it. Light, breathable, and looks elegant.
• Bamboo: Another great option – soft and cool.

What I recommend to avoid

• Cotton: Heavy, stays damp, uncomfortable in humidity unless it’s very good quality.
• Silk: I bought a silk top in Hoi An – beautiful, but way too hot to wear while travelling.

What I packed but didn’t use

• Puffer jacket – unnecessary at this season, it didn’t get that cold.
• Umbrella – the only time we felt like using it (boat trip in Ninh Binh), the operator offered us one.

Luggage: what worked, what didn’t, and what I’d choose next time

We travelled with one big suitcase, and honestly, it wasn’t the best idea for Vietnam. Many places had uneven paths or stairs, and the suitcase couldn’t roll. Getting it on scooters for short transfers seemed impossible – the drivers somehow managed, but I still don’t know how. The only advantage was how easy it was to pack and unpack, and we had plenty of room to bring souvenirs home.

Next time, we’d skip the big suitcase completely and choose a 60L backpack. We prefer bags with multiple pockets so we can separate dirty clothes, shoes and toiletries easily – very handy when you move every one or two nights.

What worked perfectly, though, were our small North Face duffel bag and our waterproof backpack. They were ideal for shorter multi-day trips when we could leave the big suitcase at the hotel, like the Halong Bay cruise or the Ha Giang Loop. They’re tough, waterproof and keep everything protected from the weather. I also had a soft light day backpack that I use when I know there’s no risk of rain; it’s great to carry a water bottle, our trip itinerary and my personal belongings for the day.

Laundry and packing light in Vietnam

Laundry was easy to find everywhere, although prices vary a lot. Some charge by the kilo, others by item, which can get expensive.

A few tips that helped us pack light:

• Avoid cotton – it never dries in humidity
• Re-wear evening outfits during slower days
• Wash quick-dry tops and pants as needed
• Don’t pack an outfit per day – you should be able to do laundry or reuse clothes

Final packing list for Vietnam

If you’re planning a trip similar to our Vietnam itinerary (active and changing accommodations a lot), this is what we’d recommend: