Vietnam Solo Travel Packing for Tours: The Ultimate Checklist for Independent Explorers

Written by Tony Bùi, with over 20 years guiding more than 100,000 solo travelers across Vietnam and Cambodia. This checklist is built from real feedback of Legend Travel Group guests who joined our small-group tours from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City and beyond.

=> Vietnam - 10 Days. Departure every Monday from Hanoi

=> Vietnam - 12 Days. Departure every Saturday from Hanoi

=> Vietnam and Cambodia - 12 Days. Departure every Monday from Hanoi

=> Vietnam - 10 Days. Departure every Monday from Saigon

=> Vietnam - 12 Days. Departure every Saturday from Saigon

=> Vietnam and Cambodia - 14 Days. Departure every Saturday from Hanoi

Most generic Vietnam packing lists are written for couples or families.
This one is made exclusively for solo travelers joining Vietnam Tours with Legend Travel Group – meaning you’ll be with the same small group of 8–16 like-minded adventurers for 7–15 days, traveling by air-conditioned van, sleeper train, overnight boats, and domestic flights.

You don’t need to carry everything – just the smart essentials.
We take care of the rest.

Pack for 7 kg carry-on + daypack → Everything fits in hostel lockers, under bus seats, and on overnight trains.
You’ll thank us on Day 3 when everyone else is dragging 20 kg suitcases through Hanoi’s Old Quarter.

Legend Travel Group Solo Traveler Luggage Policy (Peace of Mind Guarantee)

• Maximum 7 kg main bag + 5 kg daypack (free on all domestic flights & trains we use)

• Free laundry service included every 4–5 days on tour

• Secure left-luggage rooms at our partner hostels in Hanoi, Hoi An & Ho Chi Minh
  → You literally only carry your bag twice: airport → hostel, then hostel → tour van.

Luggage (Must-Have)

• 35–45 L backpack or hybrid wheeled backpack (Osprey Farpoint/Fairview 40 is the #1 choice of our guests)

• 20–25 L foldable daypack (packs into its own pocket when not needed)

Clothing (7-Day Capsule – Laundry Every 4–5 Days)

• 5 quick-dry T-shirts / tank tops

• 2 long-sleeve lightweight shirts (sun & mosquito protection + temples)

• 1 fleece or light jacket (Sapa, Ha Long overnight boat, air-con buses)

• 2 pairs convertible zip-off pants / lightweight trousers

• 1 pair shorts

• 1 swimsuit + sarong (ladies) or board shorts (gents)

• 7 pairs underwear & socks (merino wool or quick-dry)

• 1 rain jacket or poncho (May–Oct)

• 1 modest temple outfit (knees & shoulders covered – lightweight linen works perfectly)

Footwear

• 1 pair comfortable walking shoes or trainers (you’ll walk 8–12 km/day)

• 1 pair flip-flops / slides (hostels, beaches, showers)

• Optional: lightweight hiking sandals (Ha Long, Mekong floating markets)

Toiletries & Health (All Fit in 100 ml Airport Liquids Bag)

• Travel-size sunscreen SPF50+

• DEET or Picaridin mosquito repellent

• Basic first-aid kit (plasters, diarrhea tablets, rehydration salts, motion sickness pills)

• Hand sanitizer & wet wipes

• Microfibre quick-dry towel

• Toiletry bag that hangs (most hostel bathrooms have hooks only)

Electronics & Documents

• Universal travel adaptor (Type A/C/G)

• Power bank 20,000 mAh (essential for sleeper trains & long bus rides)

• Unlocked phone + Vietnam e-SIM (Airalo or Viettel – we help you buy on arrival)

• Waterproof phone pouch (Ha Long Bay, Mekong Delta)

• Photocopy of passport + visa page + digital copy on cloud

• Printed Legend Travel Group booking confirmation (or screenshot)

Solo Traveler Extras That Make Life Easier

• Padlock (for hostel lockers)

• Earplugs + eye mask (sleeper trains & lively dorms)

• Reusable metal straw & spork (we say no to single-use plastic)

• Deck of cards or travel game (instant ice-breaker on night 1)

• Small gifts from home (stickers, postcards – kids in villages love them)

What NOT to Bring

• Sleeping bag (never needed)

• Drone (heavy regulations)

• Expensive jewelry (leave at home)

• Jeans (too heavy & slow to dry)

• More than one book (swap with new friends on tour)

• North (Hanoi, Sapa, Ha Long): Nov–Mar can drop to 10 °C → pack fleece

• Central (Hue, Hoi An): always warm → light clothing + rain jacket

• South (Ho Chi Minh, Mekong): always hot → breathable fabrics + swimsuit

Every guest receives on Day 1:

• Free 5 L dry bag (for Ha Long Bay & Mekong)

• Free poncho (if raining)

• Free filtered water refills every day

• Free luggage storage in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh if you want to travel lighter to Sapa or Phu Quoc

Average daily spend outside tour package:

• Street food & coffee: $5–$8

• Local beer: $0.50–$1

• Laundry service (included on tour): $0

• Motorbike taxi / Grab: $1–$2 per ride

• Souvenirs & massages: $10–$20

Total extra spending money needed for 10-day tour: $150–$250

Book any Legend Travel Group Vietnam Tours with just 10% deposit today.
Pay the balance only 30 days before departure – zero stress, maximum flexibility.

Contact our Solo Traveler Specialists 24/7:
WhatsApp: +84 825 862 222
Email: sales@legendtravelgroup.com
Website: https://www.legendtravelgroup.com

By Legend Travel Group – Connecting Solo Travelers Since 2008