The wise traveler brings just enough gear to meet the demands of the trip but not a bunch of stuff they lug around the world and not use; leave the kitchen sink at home. A good rule of thumb is to pack lighter and bring a little more money for shopping to augment your belongings - especially for clothing items, as the variety is plentiful and the prices a bargain. Medium-sized rolling luggage is nice so you don't have to carry, but not all surfaces are small-wheel friendly. A mid-sized backpack is a great idea and then pack along your day pack, that's the tidiest method of all. We'll have one domestic flight that limits your carry-on to 7 kg (15 lbs) and your checked bag to 20kg (44 lbs). Please try to stay within these weight limits; if you can't, please simply let us if it looks like you'll be overweight on these parameters so we may make pre-arrangements with the airline for the extra weight. Making these adjustments online ahead of time is about a fourth of the cost of dealing with it on the spot at check-in, and doesn't require additional line-standing.
You may have your own method, but here's Dan's recipe for happy luggage utilization:
Basic concept: Travel with three bags:
1 - Your checked bag. 2 - Your carry-on. 3 - Your day-bag.
CHECKED BAG: Either a backpack, duffel bag or rolling luggage/suitcase (easiest on the muscles) of any size, the smaller the better. As there are portions of the trips where luggage size affects which vehicle we require, please sincerely try to keep this piece of luggage under 20 kg (44lbs). Please let us know before your departure if you are over this limit or wish to bring something else that is large and bulky. This bag will be checked on your departure and claimed at baggage claim when you land. Please be aware of all Vietnam customs regulations. Avoid checking expensive electronics or cash. Your total cash on hand must be $5k USD or less or you risk forfeiture if not declared. Illegal drugs and pornography are highly illegal in Vietnam, don't bring them. This bag will carry the bulk of anything you may need that is not vital, as this bag is being checked through the airport luggage-handling systems are are out of your control. This way, if something happens to your bag, you can get back on your feet pretty much with an afternoon shopping spree to restock on clothing. This bag is the most expendable of the three.
• NOTE: Checking a bag isn't required. Some travelers travel quite lightly and don't check luggage at all, instead relying on the following two bags only:
CARRY-ON: This will go with you in the plane cabin but isn't necessarily on your person at all times. It goes in the storage bins overhead on the plane. It's good for your stuff that you want near you: jacket/toiletries/chargers & batteries/a backup debit card (atm) or credit card/backup cash. This bag will have your change of clothes and all the stuff you'd need even while traveling through airports. The inter-Asia flights limit the weight of this bag to 7kg (15lbs) but most international flights (your big flight) allows for up to 12kg (26 lbs). PRO TIP: If you are close on your weight, put your jacket on (with stuff in the pockets!) as you can carry it separately from your luggage (same with hats).
DAY-BAG: This bag should be on you wherever you go. It contains your bare essentials (passport, wallet, medications, phone, music player, headphones, journal, camera, etc.) and at any time you can pack specific items needed for an activity that day: bandana, sunscreen, umbrella, etc). It should be big enough to carry the items mentioned and also fit a water bottle and maybe a small purchase like a t-shirt or something. Either a daypack or satchel design is best with solid webbing shoulder straps or a padded chest strap. Satchels are nice because you can swing the bag forward on the shoulders trap and hold it in front of your body in areas you want added security, like markets and on busy streets. Backpacks can also be flipped around and worn on chest fronts. While not necessarily as fashionable, it also provided added security in front of your eyes rather than on your back. Whichever DAY BAG you choose, this bag goes with you on the plane and everywhere else you go during the entire trip.
Here's a basic checklist of recommended items for the trip:
• Small backpack/day pack/shoulder bag - for day cruising. This bag will essentially be with you at all times and carries your daily gear.
• Pants/Skirts (x2) - lightweight for evenings/airports/going out. PRO TIP: light & loose cotton, jeans not advised - they take too long to dry + heavy, & hot!
• Long-sleeve Shirt/Light Jacket (x1) - for cool breezes near the river in the evening, airport air con.
• Short-sleeve shirts (x4) - 4 or 5 shirts that are cool and comfy. It will be warm there.
• Shorts (x4) 4 or 5 pair - we recommend shorts with cargo pockets to help carry things like your camera & bandana.
• Swimsuit: We'll have a chance to swim at our hotels and at the beach! No towel necessary, you can borrow from the desk near the pool at our hotel.
• Hat: With a nice brim to shield our the sun. Collapsible works best for easy carrying. You can also buy a hat on your first day in Saigon if you like, there are many options available!
• Light Duty Shoes: Sneaker-type or similar. All footwear should be familiar to your foot before you depart on the trip, broken in and a comfortable fit.
• Socks: Light duty to accommodate your shoes.
• Flip Flops / Tevas / Sandals: Whatever open-air foot wear you intend to wear in hot, wet locations, beaches and boats, bring 'em. Good flip-flops are recommended for ease of kicking on/off all the time (no bending over). Whatever the choice, make sure you wear them and break them in well before departure.
• Bandana: These have a thousand uses, keep a few around.
• Sunglasses: Or buy a knock-off pair on the street for $5, Dan can assist you.
• Toiletries: Many of the brands you're familiar with at home are not available in Vietnam. Bring enough to last you through the trip.
• Travel Alarm (battery powered): If you're a heavy sleeper, bring whatever will wrestle you awake.
• Suncscreen: Don't rely on buying this abroad as the quality can be insufficient. Bring a couple smaller tubes rather than one big one, for easier daily carrying.
• Mosquito Repellant: Bring a small bottle of drops, not a compressed can that may be confiscated at the airport. Use it if you see mosquitos (uncommon).
• Photos from Home: You'll meet people who don't speak your language, but everyone speaks photos! Print and bring a few that tell your story and keep them with you: your family, your dog, you skiing, you riding a horse, you landing a salmon, etc. These conversational tools frequently help break the ice when meting new friends who don't share your language.
• Book: Or, pick one up along the way. We're happy to recommend some good reads that pertain to our destination, just ask.
• Journal: Capture your thoughts and ideas whilst on your big journey, write!
• Camera: Many travelers rely on their phone as their camera, which is fine, but consider if it has a good camera of if that's something additional you'd like to bring. A small point & shoot camera can take terrific photos and is small and easy to carry around. Large cameras will acquire the best quality images but is another thing to carry around all day. The decision is yours.
• Phone: Many travelers will want to bring their phones along to use the cameras and get on the abundantly-available WIFI, even if they aren't able to get cell service. Some travelers have international plans but we have seen reliability issues arise. Our solution to the issue of inter-group communications:
**PRO TIP: Use one of Dan’s loaner phones! All travelers will be supplied with a loaner phone during the trip, meant to be used to maintain inter-group communications and to establish a data network line when wifi is not available for things like maps. The phones are basic Android smartphones and pre-loaded with helpful apps, maps and tour information to assist you in the locations we'll be visiting, as well as itinerary and contact info. At the very least, the phone is intended to be a communication device for texting and calling - many travelers are reassured by this system and venture off on their own knowing with just one click Dan is just a phone call away. Additionally, travelers may utilize their loaner phone to reference important words or phrases in local language, read histories, see maps, research local offerings, etc. PLEASE: If you accept a loaner phone, please reimburse us $90 in the event it becomes lost/broken/stolen while in your care, thank you. We'll use the money to buy a replacement so it may assist a future group traveler.