What to pack for Vietnam in March
March is one of the few months when the whole length of Vietnam is pleasant at once. Hanoi and the north are mild and often gray, with a fine drizzle. The center around Hoi An is warm and sunny, and the south, from Ho Chi Minh City to the Mekong Delta, is hot and dry.
So the list is built for three climates in one trip: a light layer for the north, and loose, breathable clothes for the rest. Pack something that covers your shoulders and knees for temples and pagodas, and leave room in your bag. Hoi An is famous for its tailors, and many people come home with new clothes.
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The weather
- Hanoi
- 73°F
- 23°C high. Often gray, with a fine drizzle.
- Hoi An
- 82°F
- 28°C high. Sunny beach weather.
- Ho Chi Minh City
- 93°F
- 34°C high. Hot and dry.
- Daylight
- 12 h
- Sunset around 6pm across the country.
The capsule
Two weeks, one traveler, Orchard palette. Olive, ivory and rose that stay cool in the south and layer up in the north. A capsule is a few clothes in one palette (a base color, a neutral and an accent) that all go together. The full list below adds what sits outside it.
Layers
Light rain jacket
Light cardigan, for Hanoi
Tops
Linen shirt
Cotton tank
Boxy cotton tee
Bottoms
Drawstring linen pants
Linen shorts
Maxi skirt
Shoes
Slip-on sandals
Trail runners
Three days from this capsule
Shown for one traveler. Packlier packs a capsule like this for each person on the trip.
The full list
Clothes
- Four or five light tops, one or two with sleeves
- Light cardigan or long-sleeve shirt for the north
- Loose pants and a long skirt for temples
- Shorts for the beaches and the south
- Two swimsuits
- Packable rain jacket
- Quick-dry underwear and socks
Shoes
- Sandals you can slip off quickly
- Sneakers or trail shoes for Ha Long Bay, Sapa or caves
- Flip-flops for the beach
Sun and bugs
- Sunscreen
- Hat and sunglasses
- Insect repellent
- Dry bag for boat trips
- Refillable water bottle
Documents and tech
- Passport, valid for six months
- E-visa, printed and on your phone
- Travel insurance that covers motorbikes, if you plan to ride
- Vietnamese dong in cash, in small notes
- Universal plug adapter (220V)
- Power bank
- eSIM or local SIM
Health and toiletries
- Stomach remedies and rehydration salts
- Hand sanitizer and tissues
- Any prescriptions, in your carry-on
Accessories
- Crossbody bag that zips
Gear worth the space
Loose linen pants
Cool in the southern heat, respectful at temples and light enough to pack two.
A light rain jacket
For the drizzle in Hanoi and the spray on a boat in Ha Long Bay. It also keeps the wind off on a motorbike.
Slip-on sandals
Easy off at temple doors and homestays, and comfortable for walking the old towns.
A crossbody bag
Secure in crowded markets and on the back of a motorbike taxi.
Hanoi at 73°F and drizzle, Ho Chi Minh City at 93°F. Packlier packs one capsule that stretches across both.
Tell it where, when, why, which bag and which palette, and it packs the capsule, checks it against the bag and adds everything that is not clothing. Launching this year on Android, with iOS to follow.
One email at launch, nothing else.