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.
Essential Items to Pack for Vietnam
1. Clothes
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.
Work Attire Requirements:
- For Men: Shirt and tie with long trousers (not jeans)
- For Women: Blouse with skirt or trousers, or a dress with sleeves
Size Considerations:
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.
Climate-Specific Packing:
Make sure to research the weather for your specific location in Vietnam, as the country has significant climate differences:
- Southern Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City): Hot year-round
- Pack thin tops and shorts
- Choose clothes made of natural fibers
- Northern Vietnam (Hanoi): Distinct seasons
- Hot summers require light clothing
- Cold winters need cardigans and thick jackets
Read Another Article: What to wear in Vietnam: A Seasonal Guide to Style, Culture, and Comfort
2. Footwear
Vietnam caters to smaller foot sizes, similar to clothing. Available sizes are typically:
- Women: Maximum European size 38-39
- Men: Maximum European size 42-43
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.
Sports Shoes Exception:
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.
3. Swimming Costumes
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.
4. Traditional Costumes and Cultural Items
During the school year, there are often opportunities to showcase your country’s traditional costume, so bringing something representative would be valuable.
Cultural Sharing Items:
- Traditional costume from your home country
- National flag (if no traditional costume exists)
- Photographs of your home country and lifestyle
- Local maps or travel books
People in Vietnam are always curious about your home country and lifestyle, making these items excellent conversation starters and cultural exchange tools.
5. Teaching Materials
The variety of teaching materials available differs significantly between schools and language centers, so it’s better to bring more rather than not enough.
Recommended Teaching Items:
- Flashcards that you prefer
- Special educational games
- Lesson plans and activity ideas
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.
6. Food Items
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.
Food Packing Recommendations:
- Bring a supply of your favorite specialty foods (Marmite, pickles, local specialties)
- Chocolate: Available but expensive in Vietnam, so maximize your luggage space with chocolate if you’re a chocolate lover
- Consider bringing comfort foods that remind you of home
7. Essential Toiletries
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.
Toiletry Strategy:
- Bring: Only essentials for the first few days
- Buy Locally: Most toiletries and personal care items
- Exception: Tampons are not easily available or are very expensive, so bring an adequate supply
Discover Related Guides: Toiletries In Vietnam And a Guide On Where To Find Them
8. Hair Care Products
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.
9. Health Supplements
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.
10. Gifts for Social Occasions
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.
Gift Ideas:
- Local pictures or postcards
- Local embroidery or handicrafts
- Small knick-knacks representative of your culture
- Items that are unusual in Vietnam but common in your country
Important: These don’t need to be expensive – their uniqueness makes them highly appreciated.
Explore More Content: How to Say “Very Good” in Vietnamese: Cultural Guide & Usage Examples
What You Can Easily Buy in Vietnam
Available Items:
- Most clothing (in smaller sizes)
- Sports shoes and trainers
- Stationery and teaching supplies
- Basic toiletries and personal care items
- Most food staples and ingredients
Items to Avoid Packing:
- Heavy winter clothes (unless going to northern Vietnam in winter)
- Basic toiletries for more than a few days
- Common stationery items
- Basic food items available locally
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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.
