

When coming to Vietnam to work, there is always uncertainty about what to bring – what can you buy there? What can’t you get? This comprehensive guide aims to address these needs, offering concrete suggestions about what to pack and what to leave behind.
The first thing you need to consider when packing for Vietnam is clothing. Vietnamese professionals tend to dress very smartly, so you’ll need to pack formal clothes for work purposes.
While you can buy clothes in Vietnam, they are generally designed for smaller sizes. The larger you are, the more difficult it becomes to find suitable clothing. However, it is possible to have clothes custom-made, so if you have a favorite item of clothing, bring it along and you can get it replicated in various materials.
Make sure to research the weather for your specific location in Vietnam, as the country has significant climate differences:
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Vietnam caters to smaller foot sizes, similar to clothing. Available sizes are typically:
This is relatively small for expats, so unless you have small feet, it’s recommended that you bring a selection of shoes for both work and leisure.
There are numerous sports shoes (trainers) available in slightly larger sizes. Many of these are replica brand names (which can be of exceptionally high quality), so consider bringing just one pair and purchasing additional ones locally.
Swimming costumes are quite difficult to buy in Vietnam. While bikinis are common, the available swimming costumes tend to be decorative styles with skirts and bows rather than designs for serious swimming.
Recommendation: Bring your own swimming costume, as Vietnam has many pools and beaches that provide plenty of opportunities for swimming.
During the school year, there are often opportunities to showcase your country’s traditional costume, so bringing something representative would be valuable.
People in Vietnam are always curious about your home country and lifestyle, making these items excellent conversation starters and cultural exchange tools.
The variety of teaching materials available differs significantly between schools and language centers, so it’s better to bring more rather than not enough.
Note: You can buy sticky balls and stationery locally, allowing you to create additional materials as needed. Vietnam has extensive stationery shops offering lots of stickers and simple supplies.
Vietnam offers a wide range of foodstuffs, and most basic items are available. International food shops (like L’s Place) sell imported goods, but these are incredibly expensive.
Vietnam has a huge range of toiletries, often at cheaper prices than Western countries. All major brands are available, and there are even Body Shop stores.
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While you can have your hair professionally dyed in beauty salons, if you regularly dye your hair, bring your own dye.
Why: Vietnamese hair dyes are formulated for black hair (typically browns), which look great on locals but may not achieve the desired results for foreigners with different hair colors.
Although Vietnamese food is nutritious, there’s a relative lack of dairy products in traditional cooking, making it easy to become low in calcium.
Recommendation: Bring a supply of basic multivitamins – simple “one-a-day” types are sufficient to boost your basic nutritional intake.
You will undoubtedly be invited to people’s houses for events and dinners, so bringing a selection of inexpensive gifts from your home country is thoughtful.
Important: These don’t need to be expensive – their uniqueness makes them highly appreciated.
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Packing for Vietnam requires strategic thinking about what’s readily available locally versus what’s difficult to find or expensive. Focus on bringing items specific to your needs, cultural sharing, and personal preferences while leaving room in your luggage for items you’ll discover and want to bring home.
Remember that Vietnam’s shopping infrastructure is quite developed, especially in major cities, so you’ll be able to find most daily necessities once you arrive.
Planning your move to Vietnam? Make sure you’re fully prepared with our comprehensive guides on living, working, and teaching in this beautiful country.