Things to Bring, Checklist for Trekking & Hiking Tours in Vietnam

This is a travel guide as to what to carry for hiking and trekking tours in Vietnam with AdventueGreen which normally take 3-5 days each. This travel guide is not meant for all weather conditions and month-long trekking or hiking adventures. This is not applicable for self-organized hiking or trekking adventures either.

Depending on the terrain and level of difficulties or risks involved, AdventureGreen usually provides one adventure guide to accompany you all the way, and at least one or more local guides to accompany you in the place that we trek or hike through.

Checklist for, Guide to What to Bring on Trekking and Hiking Tours in Vietnam

1/ Hiking Boots, Trekking Shoes

It is recommended to have your ankles protected and hiking boots are advised. All shoes must have good grip; be prepared for slippery dirt path, steep and mossy rocky paths…

2/ Footwear and Knee Protection

Cotton and woolen socks, padding for shoes bites… For hiking & trekking trips on steep mountain slopes then knee protection is extremely important.

3/ Backpack with Rain Cover, Waist Bag

The backpack should have a supporting frame with size of 40-60 litters. For day-treks of 3-4 hours, then the size of your backpack should be around 20 litters.

Waist bag is convenient to store your small items which require frequent accesses: pills, tissues...

4/ Head gears & Head protection

Depending on the season you may need a sunhat or a woolen hat with ears covered in winter time. It may be necessary to bring along sunglasses.

For trekking or hiking on steep mountain slopes or steep terrain, then it is important to have a cycle or bike helmet or half-shell helmet to protect your head.

Those with prescription eye glasses may want to bring extra pair of prescription eye glasses. For those who wear glasses, a good lens cleaning cloth is a necessity.

A steep, slippery and rocky path on a trek in Vietnam which requires at least head protection and knee protection

5/ Head torch or head lamp

It is necessary for mountain climbing or trekking trips where electricity is not available and you need it during meals...

6/ Clothing

Depending on the season if it is winter or not:

- Trekking pants and t-shirts, fleece tees, long-sleeved shirts, lightweight jacket, underwear.. Those with moisture wicking or breathable abilities are preferred in the summer and windproof is needed for outer layers in the winter.

7/ Toiletries

Toilet papers, degradable soap/gel, tissues… You may also need moisturizer, sunscreen, lip balm, face wash, wet tissues.

8/ First Aid Kit & Personal Medical Kit

Drugs for treating diarrhea, pain killers, fever, allergies; bandages, adhesive tape, ointment for shoe bites or blister treatment, prescription drugs… Some may need vitamin supplements such as Vitamin C or D...

9/ Spray or Cream against Insects, Bugs, Leeches, Parasites

Bug killers and insect repellents are indispensable on trekking and hiking tours in Vietnam. If you trek in a rain forest or jungles, then you must have leech-repellent spray or cream which should be applied right before you enter the leech-present areas.