Photo: Kinhhiemditour.com Here is a list of things you must or should bring:

• Passport with all relevant documents (visa, vaccination records, etc.) and an extra passport size photo
• A piece of paper with the following information: Your passport number; Family contacts from your home country; Your bank phone number in case you lose your bank card; Address and phone number of your embassy in Vietnam; Emergency numbers (police, ambulance); Your hotel phone and address (if you have booked in advance)
• Emergency kit and insect repellant
• Camera and battery or charger
• Medicines if you have an existing prescription
• Your travel guidebook
• Sunglasses and sunscreen: SPF 45 is enough for the harshness of the hot sun in Vietnam.
• Clothing: most of Vietnam is hot but Northern Vietnam can be quite cold from October to January. If you plan to visit during this time or go to mountainous areas like Sapa or Da Lat, bring along jacket. Otherwise, pack mostly light cotton clothing for the wet summer.
• Underwear: bring a lot
• Swimwear: if you plan to go to the beach
• Shoes: if you plan to do a lot of walking, bring a pair of walking shoes. Flip-flops are also a popular choice. However, you should wear sandals if you want to visit temples, museums and mausoleums.

Here is a list of what you may or may not want depending on your needs:

• Mobile phones, laptops and corresponding chargers
• Travel Diary
• Toilet paper or tampons, if you’re really loyal to your brand
• Read the document