20 Genius Vietnam travel tips – FULL GUIDE 2023

In this article we are going to share 20 genius Vietnam travel tips. If you’re planning to travel to Vietnam read this article CAREFULLY to avoid making mistakes and missing important things. 

We absolutely love Vietnam and we can’t stop going back. Vietnam is an amazing country to travel. However, it does have some challenges and some things that you need to know before you go. As long term travelers and a FULL TIME travel family – we have made all the mistakes and had to develop ways to travel better. We are passionate about sharing our tried and tested top tips and travel secrets with you to help you make the most of your Vietnam trip. 

These Vietnam travel tips should help you have an amazing time in Vietnam. Please read this guide carefully if you’re planning to visit Vietnam as we think it will help you a lot.  

Summary of essential Vietnam travel tips

Brief summary of our Vietnam travel tips – KEEP READING for full details

• Get set up with a local SIM card
• Always check your change
• Watch out for ATM charges
• If you’re going rural take plenty of cash
• Avoid popular activities on public holidays
• Respect local customs and culture
• Look after your valuables
• Take care on the roads
• Make the most of the street food
• Download Google translate
• Use a taxi app to get around
• Plan your itinerary carefully
• Use offline maps to get around
• Get bigger water bottles
• Book trips and tours 
• Splash out on an amazing hotel
• Protect yourself from the sun
• Consider taking a luxury cruise
• Try bartering
• Don’t miss Sapa

What are the BEST places to visit in Vietnam?

Before we share out PRO Vietnam travel tips we just wanted to share a few recommendations for Vietnam.

If you are planning to visit Vietnam you may be considering a visit to Ho Chi Minh City and the South. There are lots of awesome things to do around Ho Chi Minh including boat trips to the Mekong Delta, day trips to the historic Cu Chi tunnels and plenty of epic temples. Ho Chi Minh is a great place to experience culture, history and amazing food.

We highly recommend a visit to Hanoi in the North. This city is also packed with culture and history and it is a great hub to explore other awesome destinations in the north of Vietnam. Whether it’s walking around Hanoi city exploring temples, or trying the epic Hanoi street food – this city doesn’t disappoint. 

If you get a chance we highly recommend a visit to Sapa. There are plenty of amazing things to do in Sapa. This is an awesome destination for stunning trekking in the hills around Sapa, cultural villages and authentic Sapa homestays. It is possible to take a night train from Hanoi to Sapa – this is a great experience. If the night train is not for you there are other ways to travel from Hanoi to Sapa. 

We also highly recommend a visit to Ha Long Bay. If you are looking for superlative splashout opportunities consider taking a luxury cruise in Ha Long Bay. We loved Peony cruises and highly recommend their package. 

What are the BEST things to do in Vietnam?

There are absolutely loads of amazing things to do in Vietnam. In some ways it is hard to narrow it down. To help you you plan your trip here is a list of some of our TOP PICK things to do in Vietnam:

• Explore traditional Vietnamese temples 
• Take a Mekong delta boat tour (around $15 all inclusive from Ho Chi Minh)
• Visit the war Relics Museum (Ho Chi Minh)
• See a traditional water puppet show 
• Visit a Vietnamese market  (e.g. Ben Thanh market or Dong Xuan market)
• Try a traditional Vietnamese cooking course 
• Visit the Reunification palace (Ho Chi Minh)
• Get a Vietnamese massage (amazing prices – normally under $10)
• Visit the Cu Chi tunnels (Around $20 all inclusive from Ho Chi Minh)
• Visit the Ho Chi Minh mausoleum (Hanoi)
• See the iconic Tran Quoc Pagoda (Hanoi)
• Check out Hanoi train street 
• Explore the Temple of literature (Hanoi)
• Visit the Mua Cave and viewpoint (Trang An near Hanoi)
• Visit the summit of Fanispan (trek or take the cable car and mountain railway)
• Go trekking in Sapa and stay in an authentic homestay
• Take a luxury cruise of Ha Long Bay
• Explore Cat Ba island

1 Get set up with a local SIM card

Having a local SIM is very useful whether you’re booking a taxi online, communicating with a hotel or just scrolling through nonsense on a long bus journey. 

When you arrive in Vietnam we recommend that you get a local SIM card. One way to do this is to buy one in the airport when you first arrive (this is convenient but may be a little bit more expensive). Alternatively, wait until you’re in town and then find a SIM card. There are many SIM card companies available in Vietnam and the choice can be a little bit overwhelming. Different companies offer different packages with varying amounts of data, coverage and prices. Be aware that many SIM card deals only include data and not calls or text messages. You may struggle to make outgoing calls or send text messages, therefore we recommend that you connect with locals through WhatsApp. 

You can find some mobile network shops around towns and cities. One of the biggest network providers is Viettel. They generally have stores around towns and cities and offer a range of deals and packages. Viettel offers the best coverage – however their deals are generally quite expensive. Viettel 30 day packages tend to range between 150,000VND – 300,000VND and include a data limit (normally 10GB – 60GB depending on the package). You can find cheaper 30 day sim cards in small local corner shops and small tour offices.  We found Mobiphone offered good deals at competitive prices. The best way to get a good deal is shop around and barter. You can normally find deals for around 90,000VND – 150,000VND. Shoot for 30GB or more.

2 Always check your change

Here is one of our PRO Vietnam travel tips for being savvy. Start getting your head around the currency before you go. You may be able to get hold of some cash in advance or withdraw from an ATM in the airport. Alternatively bring some US dollars (or another local currency) and exchange in the airport to get you going. 

The currency in Vietnam is the Vietnamese dong (VND). The Vietnamese dong is quite a challenge and currency because the notes are very large. In general you’re not likely to pay for anything that is less than 10,000VND (which is roughly £0.35 or $0.40). These large numbers can make it very difficult to convert currencies, work out prices and figure out how much change you need. We always recommend that you take time to check your change carefully and don’t feel rushed or flustered. Some travelers can be short changed because locals know that the currency is difficult to work with. 

3 Watch out for ATM charges

There are plenty of ATM machines available in all of the main towns and cities in Vietnam. Most ATM machines in Vietnam accept foreign cards including Master Cards, Maestro, Visa and Visa debit cards. However, your local bank may charge you for using your card overseas. Furthermore, Vietnamese ATM machines generally have a charge for using international cards. ATM machines in Vietnam will give you an option to do your transaction in English and they should tell you the withdrawal charges before you withdraw money. We found that Agribank had some of the lowest charges and they are quite widespread around Vietnam. We also recommend that you use a good international card such as Starling or Wise (minimal or no international fees). 

4 If you’re going rural take plenty of cash

Here is one of our Vietnam travel tips for going rural. If you are planning to go to a rural location in Vietnam make sure you take plenty of cash. For example, if you’re traveling to Sapa there are a few cash machines around town. However, as soon as you get out of town there are no cash machines for miles. Therefore, if you are visiting this area make sure you get plenty of cash before you disappear into the hills. Many of the islands in Vietnam are recently developed, however if you’re planning to visit any of the smaller and less developed Islands we recommend taking plenty of cash with you. 

5 Avoid popular activities on public holidays

In recent years domestic tourism has become very popular in Vietnam. increasingly Vietnamese people are traveling around Vietnam and enjoying their awesome country. However, this can make it challenging traveling Vietnam especially during public holidays and weekends. Popular activities in Vietnam can get very busy during public holidays and weekends. If you do need to take a long journey during a public holiday we recommend booking your tickets in advance as early as possible. If possible, we recommend planning your trip carefully so that your slower, “down days” fall on any public holidays or weekends in Vietnam. Also, you may notice that some attractions charge a little bit more during the weekends. Lose-lose, it is more busy and you pay more at the weekend! 

6 Respect local customs and culture

Vietnam is a very friendly, relax and respectful culture. Vietnamese people are generally quite reserved but they are also friendly and outgoing. One of the most important ways to respect local culture and customs is to make sure that you dress conservatively and respectfully when you are visiting temples and significant landmarks. In general, we recommend that you have shoulders and knees covered when you are visiting temples in Vietnam. 

7 Look after your valuables

One of our most important Vietnam travel tips is looking after yourself and your belongings. Crime rates are generally quite low in Vietnam. However, it is important to look after yourself and your belongings. Take care if you’re out and about at night, especially if you are on your own. Also watch your bags and belongings especially in busy locations like markets. We tend to use a dry sack inside of a valuables bag to keep cameras and valuables safe. This makes it more difficult for a thief to access and also protect your valuable electrical items in heavy rain. 

Vietnam also has night buses which is a cheap and convenient way to travel around. However, your valuables bag may be very vulnerable on a night bus. We recommend using a small padlock to keep your valuables bag secure and make sure it is not in a position that is easy to grab or access. Keep an arm through a stap.   

8 Take care on the roads

Vietnam has a reputation for hilariously busy roads. If you are visiting one of the biggest cities in Vietnam such as Ho Chi Minh or Hanoi be prepared for an ocean of motorbikes speeding down the streets. If you need to cross a road try to find traffic lights or pedestrian crossings. Many locals just walk slowly into the street keeping an eye out for bikes. Slow and steady movement allows the bikes to pass around them. Whatever you do, always take care around the streets and remain vigilant. 

9 Make the most of the street food

One of our top Vietnam travel tips is to make the most of the amazing Vietnamese street food. Street food in Vietnam is delicious, cheap and readily available. The awesome street food culture in Vietnam is an amazing part of the experience of traveling here. Many of the towns and cities in Vietnam had street food markets and plenty of small cafes and restaurants along the streets. If you get a chance, we recommend taking a street food tour.

Local guides will be able to show you the best places to eat and tell you about the food. We highly recommend that you try Bahn Mi in Vietnam (this is a french style baguette packed with meat, egg and pickled veggies). Pho Soup is also very common and popular. This noodle soup has a beautiful stock and it is served with sliced meats or prawns and a range of mouthwatering garnishes. Vietnamese spring rolls are also amazing – try them fresh for a crunchy healthy option. Most street food in Vietnam ranges between 30,000VND – 90,000VND. 

10 Download Google translate

Most people in Vietnam speak a reasonably good level of English, especially in the larger towns and cities. However, language can be challenging from time to time. We have found Google Translate to be an amazing language app. Google translate allows you to translate spoken language using your microphone and written text using your camera. In most cases Google Translate is able to help you make sense of documents, information and menus. It is also very good at picking up on spoken text in both Vietnamese and English. If you download Google translate on to your phone you can actually download offline languages so that you can translate without WI-Fi or mobile data. This is super helpful when you are visiting more rural areas with less English and weak wifi. 

11 Use a taxi app to get around

One of the most convenient ways to get around Vietnamese cities is to use local taxis. Due to the increase in use of taxi apps it is becoming very challenging to flag taxis at the side of the road. And if you do find taxis at the side of the road you will need to barter with taxi drivers for a reasonable price. A massive advantage of using taxi apps is that the price is fixed by the app. you will be given a fair local price for your journey without needing to barter. If you wish to use a taxi app in Vietnam you will need to have mobile data available on your phone. 

The main taxi apps in Vietnam are Grab and Gojek. In order to use a taxi app in Vietnam you will need to download the app from your app store. Once you have the app you can register for an account using your local phone number and email address. When you set up your account, allow it to access your phone’s location to book taxis. You can either enter your destination and allow the auto suggest to bring it up or you can use the map function.

Once you have booked your taxi it normally takes 5 or 10 minutes for the taxi to arrive. You are able to cancel your journey shortly after booking if you need to. Once a taxi has agreed to take you you will be given the registration plate and you will be able to message the driver over the app. watch out for your taxi and then just jump in and go. 

Top tip

You can use both apps simultaneously to find the fastest taxi and cheapest journey. You can also select “pay with cash” when you book your taxi. We found this to be a very simple and convenient option. Most journeys around cities should cost 30,000VND – 150,000VND.

12 Plan your itinerary carefully

One of our most important Vietnam travel tips is to plan your itinerary carefully. Vietnam is actually a very large country and it takes over 24-hours to travel from the North to the south of Vietnam over land (the country is over 1,000 miles from north to south). Even if you choose to fly this can take up a significant amount of your precious travel time.

Therefore, we recommend planning your itinerary very carefully. Slow down if you can. Consider what things you wish to do before you visit Vietnam and make sure you have enough time to do all of the things you want to do.

In general if you have less than 10 days in Vietnam we recommend focusing on either the north or the South but don’t try to visit both. If you have 10 days or more in Vietnam it is possible to visit both the north and south of the country. However, if you are really wanting an epic trip that visits all of the must-see destinations in Vietnam, then we recommend taking at least two or three weeks for your trip. 

If you’re planning an itinerary that hits the north and south – it may be more efficient to fly into Ho Chi Minh and fly out of Hanoi. Or Fly into Hanoi and out of Ho Chi Minh. This saves traveling up and down the country unnecessarily. Alternatively, you could travel into Hanoi, then travel down the country to Ho Chi Ming, then travel overland to Cambodia by bus. 

13 Use offline maps to get around

One of our top Vietnam travel tips is to get hold of some offline maps on your phone. We use an app called Maps.Me to download offline maps in advance. This app syncs up with your phone’s GPS and allows you to pin down your exact location. One of the things that we love about this app is the number of destinations that are listed in the app. You can use the app to search for things like ATM machines, restaurants, petrol stations and much more. Map.Me also allows you to drop pins to remember some of your favourite locations – perfect if you want to revisit places. This really is one of our favourite travel apps. Best of all Maps.Me is a FREE app. 

14 Get big water bottles

Getting drinking water in Vietnam can actually be challenging at times. Pack a refillable water bottle. It is not recommended to drink water directly from the tap in Vietnam. Therefore, you will need to buy bottles of drinking water. Some hotels and guest houses offer water filling facilities which is very useful.

Alternatively you can buy large bottles of water to refill your water bottle. In some cases you will need to buy 5 liter water bottles (these generally cost around 30,000VND and last for a few days). Alternatively, in some locations you can buy big reusable 15 liter bottles of filtered drinking water. This is a great way to fill your bottle if you’re staying somewhere for a longer stint (these 15 liter bottles are quiet heavy). A 15 liter bottle is likely to last around 1 week or more. This is an environmental and economical way of sourcing water in Vietnam. 

15 Book trips and tours 

If you are planning to visit some of the awesome attractions in Vietnam consider booking tours. Tours in Vietnam tend to be very cheap and a fun and convenient way to see local attractions and meet new people. In some cases it may be cheaper to book a tour than to visit independently. Many tours in Vietnam include hotel pickup and drop off, food, guides and other kit that you need. 

There are two ways to book trips and tours in Vietnam: You can either book online in advance or you can find a small tour operator and book directly with them. You generally need to book 1 or 2 days in advance. If you plan to book online in advance, we recommend using Klook to book tours in Vietnam. They have loads of awesome tours in Vietnam and offer very competitive prices. This allows you to read your whole itinerary, work out exactly what’s included, check reviews and find out about pickup and drop off details and timings. 

If you plan to book trips and tours with a local tour operator, you will find plenty of small tour offices located in travel hubs like Ho Chi Minh, the Hanoi old Quarter and Sapa town. Barter with local operators to get the lowest prices. 

The main disadvantage of booking tours is the lack of flexibility. We really enjoy traveling independently because this allows us to see things more cheaply and go at our own pace. However, it is fun to take tours – especially if you just want to relax and go with the flow. 

16 Splash out on an amazing hotel

This may not be one of our most savvy Vietnam travel tips but we really want to mention the amazing luxury hotels in Vietnam. If you have ever dreamed of splashing out on a luxury 5-star hotel, Vietnam may well be the best place to do this. Vietnam offers some of the best value for money accommodation in Southeast Asia (and perhaps some of the best in the world!)

You can find luxury 5 star hotel rooms in Vietnam starting at around £60 per night. Equivalent hotels in Europe would be likely to set you back around £250 per night. For £200 per night you can find some incredibly stylish and decadent properties. Another advantage of splashing out on a luxury hotel in Vietnam is the amazing staff. Not only are Vietnamese people incredibly hospitable and helpful, Vietnamese hotels tend to be very well staffed, much better than other parts of the world. So if you stay in a luxury hotel in Vietnam you can expect an impeccable level of service.

So if there is any part of you that wants to experience 5-star luxury, then Vietnam is probably one of the best places in the world to do this! 

BEST 5 star hotels in Ho Chi Minh

The Best luxury hotels in Hanoi

TOP PICK luxury hotels in Sapa

17 Protect yourself from the sun

Vietnam has a hot tropical climate. One of the most important Vietnam travel tips is to make sure that you protect yourself from the climate.  make sure you drink plenty of water and use sun protection. Sun cream in Vietnam is actually quite expensive. Therefore, we recommend packing some factor 50 suncream. If you are planning to be out during the hottest hours of the day, we recommend using suncream and a small umbrella for shade. A small travel umbrella is very useful because it can protect you from both the sun and the rain. If you are planning to be in the water during the heat of the day we recommend using rash guards that have UV protection. 

18 Use night buses and night trains

One of our top savvy Vietnam travel tips is to use night buses and night trains. This is a fun and very affordable way to travel around Vietnam. The advantage of taking a night bus or night train is that you do not lose any travel time to your journey. Furthermore, you will also save the price of a night’s accommodation elsewhere.

Whether you are planning to travel from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi or from Hanoi to Sapa, you can take night trains with comfortable secure lockable cabins. This allows you to walk around the train, look out the window and enjoy the scenery. Vietnam also has some very cheap and very comfortable night buses available. Some night buses have big reclining seats and other night buses offer beds. Buses often have toilets on board and take stops for walking around and buying food and drinks. 

• Night bus journeys generally cost around $10 – $20
• Night train journeys generally cost around $30 – $80

TOP TIP

If you’re taking a night bus or a night train in Vietnam we recommend bringing some food on the journey with you. Some trains and buses may have snacks available, however this is not reliable. Therefore it is important to bring some food along for the journey. Also we highly recommend that you check your arrival time and choose a service that doesn’t arrive too early in the morning! Some night buses and night trains have very early and unsociable arrival times. 

19 Try bartering

One of our budget Vietnam travel tips is to barter. Bartering is a fun and acceptable part of Vietnamese culture. It is not possible to barter for everything in Vietnam, however you can barter for some things. We recommend bartering if you are buying things in markets (especially in tourist areas). You can also barter for taxis (unless you’re using the taxi app). If you decide to book trips or tours through local travel operators you can barter for the cost of the trip. If you are traveling around Vietnam on a tight budget you can also barter for accommodation. Just turn up at a cheap guest house and barter. 

If bartering is done well it can be a very fun and friendly way to connect with locals. keep it in good humor and don’t insult the locals or their products. If you are not happy with the price you don’t need to buy it and if they are not happy with the price they don’t need to sell it. The best bartering is done in good humor and with a good rapport. Don’t miss our full guide on TOP TIPS for bartering in Asia. 

20 Get off the beaten track

If you are looking for Vietnam travel tips that will help you have a unique, memorable and meaningful experience then get off the beaten track. Try new food, connect with locals and disconnect from tech.  We lament the fact that travel has become such a tick box exercise. Vietnam is a stunning and incredible country with so much to offer. The best way to really experience authentic Vietnam is just to explore – no plan or preconceptions. Vietnam is truly an amazing country with incredible locals. If you are feeling brave and have the time, why not find a town on the map where there is not much information online and just go there? Some of our most intrepid, adventurous and memorable travel experiences have happened when we have just gone off script and explored places. Vietnam is packed with incredible scenery, beautiful towns, amazing people and unexplored areas. 

Where are the best places to stay in Vietnam?

We are very impressed by the quality and selection of hotels in Vietnam. In Vietnam your money goes a long way on hotels. Therefore, this is a great opportunity to splash out. If you have ever dreamed of staying in a luxury hotel, why not do it in one of the cheapest countries for 5-star Hotels? Another thing we love about hotels in Vietnam is the style and character. There are plenty of unique boutique hotels in Vietnam, stylishly decorated and packed with charm and character. 

1 Places to stay in Ho Chi Minh

If you are visiting Ho Chi Minh, the best area to stay is District 1, this is the central district with all of the main attractions. There are plenty of amazing hotels in Ho Chi Minh offering a wide range of rooms and suites for every budget range. There are also some amazing 5 star hotels in Ho Chi Minh. Here are our top pick hotels in Ho Chi Minh:

2 Places to stay in Hanoi 

If you are visiting Hanoi the best area to stay is the Old quarter, especially near Hoan Kiem lake. Most of the attractions, bars and street food can be found in the old quarter. There is a great range of Hotels in the Hanoi Old quarter. Whether you are looking for a budget Guest House, a stylish boutique hotel or a luxury 5-star hotel – the Old quarter has plenty to offer. There are so many luxury hotels to choose from in Hanoi we have a dedicated guide to the best 5-star hotels in Hanoi. 

3 Places to stay in Sapa

If you are planning to visit Sapa you may well need a place to stay in the town before you start trekking. We have a dedicated article to the best hotels in Sapa town. Sapa is also an amazing place to stay in a luxurious 5-star hotel, we also have a guide on the best 5-star hotels in Sapa. And if you are visiting Sapa we highly recommend that you stay in one of the incredible authentic homestays around Sapa. This is an amazing way to experience Vietnamese mountain culture and food. 

What is the best time of year to visit Vietnam?

Although Vietnam is a tropical country that doesn’t have distinct Seasons. The best months to visit Vietnam are March and April. The temperatures in March and April are lower on average and there is less rainfall. If you visit Vietnam between May and September the weather is hot and dry. If you visit Vietnam between November and February the temperature is lower and there is more rainfall. Watch out for monsoons and flooding in the winter months. This can affect travel in Vietnam, and very severe pacific storms can be dangerous. 

Vietnam is more than 1000 miles in length from north to south. The average temperatures and climate varies massively across the country. If you are planning to visit the north of Vietnam, especially mountain areas like Sapa, be aware that it can actually be quite cold in the winter months between September and February. We recommend bringing some additional warm layers, especially if you are planning to stay in a homestay or go trekking. 

What are prices like in Vietnam? 

Vietnam is a relatively cheap country. In fact, Vietnam is one of the cheapest countries in Southeast Asia. 

Food in Vietnam is very cheap and readily available. Street food can be found all around towns, cities and villages in Vietnam. Expect to pay around 30,000 – 20,000VND for local food (noodles, banh Mi or BBQ food). This is roughly £1 – £2 or $1.20 – $2.50. 

Hotels and guest houses are also very cheap in Vietnam. You can find dorm beds for around £5 or $7. Private rooms typically start at around £10 or $12. And even at this price the quality is very reasonable. Cheap rooms in Vietnam generally include air conditioning and an ensuite bathroom with hot water. Luxury 5-star hotels normally start at around £50 or $70 per night. It is amazing what you can get for your money at the luxury end of the budget range. 

Transport in Vietnam is also very cheap. all of the big cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh have a local bus network. It can be a little bit challenging and intimidating to use the local transport system – but locals are very helpful so this can be a lot of fun. If you are using a local city bus expect to pay around £0.50 or $0.70. There are also plenty of taxis in Vietnam. Use a taxi app (we will share more about getting taxis soon). Expect to pay around 30,000VND – 150,000VND for most short taxi journeys in Vietnam. It is very cheap to travel around Vietnam. you can travel across the length of the country for around $50 – $100. Short inter city journeys by bus in Vietnam generally cost as little as $10 – $15. 

What is Wi-Fi like in Vietnam? 

In Vietnam many places offer free Wi-Fi, especially in cafes, coffee shops and restaurants.  Most hotels, guest houses and homestays offer free Wi-Fi. It is worth being aware that although Wi-Fi is often available the network may be slow or weak. If you are planning to travel into more rural areas such as the mountains of the north or two remote islands you may struggle to find any Wi-Fi connections. Therefore we recommend sorting out all of your online business before you go. If you are using data on a local SIM card you may find that the signal is weak or non-existent in more rural areas. This is the perfect chance to disconnect from tech and reconnect with nature! 

Is Vietnam a good country for family Travel?

Vietnam is a great country for family Travel. The Vietnamese people are very welcoming towards families and children. There are loads of amazing things to do in Vietnam with kids. Most attractions and transport offer reduced price for kids or FREE entry. We also found the food in Vietnam was child-friendly. Typically street food is not too spicy and there are often options which are great for kids. However, if you’re traveling with a baby it is worth being aware that baby changing facilities are rare in Vietnam. The best place to find baby changing facilities is in large malls or supermarkets.

You can often buy supplies like snacks, baby milk and nappies from small convenience stores. However, if you’re traveling into more rural areas we recommend taking plenty of supplies with you. 

What things should you pack to visit Vietnam?

Hopefully our Vietnam travel tips have been helpful. Here is a packing list for Vietnam. 

• A dry sack for valuables
• Clothes, toiletries and some wet wipes or tissues
• Swimming kit and a travel towel
• Suncream (SPF50+)
• Mosquito repellent (DEET)
• Loose light fitting clothing 
• Sandals of Flip flops
• Trainers or trekking shoes
• Phone, valuables, cameras, chargers, travel documents
• Travel adaptor plug  (plug type A,C and F)
• Water bottle
• A small torch (especially useful for trekking & homestays)
• A warm layer or two, very useful if you are visiting the mountains of the North or taking a train or bus 
• A waterproof layer
• Consider a travel first aid kit (especially if you’re going rural)
• Consider a small travel umbrella – protection from sun and rain