If you are planning a trip to Southeast Asia for the first time, it can be a little difficult to know what to bring with you. You have probably looked at thousands of packing lists on various travel blogs without knowing exactly what to choose, and often reading conflicting advice. Should you bring a pair of jeans? Do you need your laptop? Is a first-aid kit necessary? Is a backpack better than a suitcase? Will you need trainers or trekking shoes?
Packing tips for Southeast Asia
Whether you are planning to enjoy a few relaxing days on the beaches of southern Thailand, spotting the wildlife you can find in Vietnam’s jungles, exploring the temples of Angkor Wat, or enjoying a party on a cruise around Halong Bay, we have the perfect recommendations so that your luggage has neither too little nor too much.
Backpack or suitcase?
This is entirely subjective and depends on the type of traveller who comes to us. At OneMoreDestination.com we can organise any type of trip: adventure, trekking, a beach-and-mountains combination, luxury honeymoons of the highest level…
Depending on the type of trip you have in mind, a suitcase or a backpack will be more practical. Many travellers heading to Southeast Asia usually follow an itinerary, moving around within one country or even across several countries, so if you plan to travel around for several weeks, a backpack may be the best option.
At times, suitcases are incredibly impractical for getting around the narrow streets of Asian cities, many of them poorly paved, with sidewalks full of food stalls and street vendors, and riddled with potholes.
If, during your trip, you are planning to visit some of the most remote tropical islands in Southeast Asia, you can be sure that roads are virtually non-existent in those places, so dragging a large wheeled backpack may not be a good idea. On the other hand, if you would like us to organise a trip that takes you from hotel to hotel, with Asian luxury at its finest, then having a suitcase to carry all your evening wear may be more advisable.
If you decide on a backpack, do not bring one larger than 50 or 60 litres, as you will end up with quite sore shoulders. Although a larger backpack may seem more practical, in most Southeast Asian countries the climate is tropical or subtropical, which means you will be carrying it in objectively hot and humid weather.
Clothing
Although the weather in all Southeast Asian countries is quite hot, there are some areas, such as Sapa near Hanoi, especially during winter, that can be a bit chilly. Keep in mind the time of year you are travelling and the country you are visiting to plan your luggage.
At OneMoreDestination.com, we recommend packing light clothing, preferably made of cotton. It is also a very good idea to choose neutral colours that can be easily mixed and matched, to maximise the number of different outfits you can put together.
It is not particularly advisable to pack jeans, as they are very heavy, bulky, do not breathe, and take a long time to dry when washed. It is much better to bring lightweight cotton trousers for those afternoons when it is a little cooler, or when you need to visit a temple and must cover your legs.
For women, it is also advisable to pack a sarong or a scarf to cover the shoulders during those visits. In any case, if you need some extra items upon arrival, you can always find clothes at very good prices in the street markets and night markets of any Asian city for just a few euros.
It is also a very good idea to buy a microfibre towel, as it saves a lot of space and dries very quickly. A microfibre towel is especially useful if you travel to Southeast Asia during monsoon season, when daily downpours are common.
Type of clothing
In general, throughout Southeast Asia people tend to dress fairly conservatively. It is a good idea to cover your knees and shoulders and avoid showing too much cleavage, especially if you are travelling to areas away from the main tourist hubs. If you are going to be moving around tourist areas, you should not worry too much.
Footwear
In most cases, you will be able to get by easily with flip-flops or sandals most of the time, but it is also essential to bring a pair of light shoes or trekking shoes, especially if you are going to do a jungle trek. They are also very useful on days when you plan to do a lot of walking during visits or spend many hours on your feet.
Toiletries
It is highly advisable to bring a small toiletry bag or pouch for hygiene products. A toiletry bag helps keep everything related to personal care in one place and also protects the rest of your luggage from moisture from these products. To save even more space in your luggage, it is a very good idea to buy solid versions of your toiletries: they are cheaper, lighter, take up less space, and last much longer.
Virtually any hygiene product you can think of can be found in solid or bar form: shampoo, shower gel, deodorants, conditioners… A small bar of soap is always useful, as is a hairbrush, and a toothbrush and nail clippers are essential. For women, getting a menstrual cup is also a very good idea, so you do not have to worry about tampons and pads.
Technology
You will surely want to capture every single moment of your trip while staying in touch with your family. Below, we share some ideas for tech gadgets you can take with you on your trip.
Laptop
Internet cafés are gradually disappearing from all major cities in Southeast Asia, just as happened years ago in Western countries. Nowadays, it is quite common for everyone to have their own computer.
If you have a lightweight laptop (approximately 13 to 14 inches) and you will need to work during your trip or send some emails, you can take it with you without any problem. Any Asian café will have Wi-Fi, and you will be able to do whatever you need while having a coffee.
Camera
A staple for any self-respecting traveller. Today, you can find mirrorless cameras on the market that are much more compact than classic DSLRs with mirror lenses. If you are thinking of buying a camera for your trip, consider a mirrorless or digital sensor model: you will appreciate the savings in weight and size, without compromising photo quality.
E-reader
If you are going to take a multi-country trip (which means you will be taking buses, trains, and flights fairly often during your trip), it may be a good idea to bring your e-reader with you to make the hours a bit more enjoyable.
Phone
When our guides meet you at the airport upon your arrival in the destination country, we provide you with a local SIM so we can always reach each other whenever you need it, and so you also have a local phone number. However, you will need an unlocked smartphone that accepts SIM cards from any operator worldwide. Nowadays, it is quite common for phones to be unlocked, and some even accept two SIM cards at the same time, so you will be able to keep your usual phone number active.
Type of luggage by destination
Southeast Asia offers a wide variety of destinations for very different traveller profiles, which means you might find yourself in the middle of the jungle at 12°C and in the rain, and days later travel to a beach with a completely tropical climate. If the travel programme you have in mind does not include such contrasts (although this often is not the case), below we present two luggage options for beach trips and mountain trips. If you are taking a trip that combines both areas, simply combine the two suggestions.
Example packing list for trips to mountain areas
- A pair of boots
- T-shirts
- One or two shirts
- Jumpers
- Several pairs of trousers
- A fleece
- A microfibre towel
- A breathable waterproof jacket
Example packing list for trips to beach areas
- Two pairs of shoes, preferably sandals and one closed pair
- Cotton T-shirts
- A cap or hat
- A swimsuit
- A microfibre towel
- Shorts
