Leaving in 2 weeks for SE Asia, need help with my packing list
 

Hey there Fodorites, happy Friday! Now that I'm back from my business trip to Europe, I can focus on my upcoming vacation to Asia. My husband leaves tomorrow for 5 weeks and I'd love to get some sort of packing done with him so we're on the same page. So, I ask the experts.

The last time I had a trip this long was 1 week in Amsterdam and then 19 days in Tanzania, including an 8 day trek up Kilimanjaro. It's embarassing to admit the amount of crap I carried overseas for that trip, and with all the flights involved in this Asia trip, I'm quite concerned.

Now, I need to preface this by saying NEVER have I been able to carry on for a trip longer than 4 days. I don't know why, I just can't do it. Mostly due to shoes and toiletries, but I'm severely limiting both on this trip.

Below is my itin, and then my initial thoughts on packing items.

--
Hong Kong
arrive Feb 6, staying 2 nights

Bangkok
arrive Feb 8, staying 3 nights

Chiang Mai
arrive Feb 11, staying 3 nights, activites include a cooking course and a day visit to Patara Elephant Farm

Siem Reap
arrive Feb 14, staying 3 nights, planning to fully immerse ourselves in temples and photography

Hanoi
arrive Feb 17, staying 3 nights, activities include city sightseeing and a daytrip to the Red River Delta

Halong Bay
board junker cruise Feb 20 for 2 nights, activities include kayaking

Hanoi
arrive Feb 22 for 1 last night

Feb 23 fly home via Hong Kong
---

Prelim packing list:
bathing suit (1)
convertible pants (2prs)
tank tops (4-7)
skirt/sundress (2?)
light/sheer long sleeve button down (1)
light long sleeve shirt (2)
warm fleece jacket (will have this anyway as I'm flying from Mass, and I imagine I may need this in Vietnam)
flip flops (1)
sneakers (1?)
closed toe walking shoes (1)
medicines
bug spray
sunblock
travel + normal books
camera equipment
bag to carry during the day

Input? Edits? Suggestions? Complete renovations?

Thank you! I'm getting so excited!

You will need a light jacket in Hanoi and Hong Kong, elsewhere it will be hot.

Leave the tank tops at home. Those are considered appropriate only for beach wear. Opt for short-sleeved tops. You cannot enter a wat in a sleeveless top.

Small umbrella in case it rains and also to shade you from the oppresive heat/sun.

When we go to Asia its usually for 12 days- we always take the max luggage- 4 large suitcases, 2 carryons, large pillow, backpack. We do a lot of shopping and also don't want to keep wearing the same clothes- that becomes a real problem unless you are laundering daily!

Umbrella, yes!

Thanks Kathie - that's what the sheer long sleeve button down is for. I live in tanks all year 'round and just layer on top.

And just a light jacket, really? Hmm I thought I read somewhere that it may be in the 40s in northern/northwestern Vietnam? I'll have to revisit my paperwork on that.

I think it looks ok, but I agree with Kathie about the tank tops vs t-shirts.
I'd be surprised if you could not fit that in a 22" roll-aboard.
Unless you really like to wear skirts or dresses, I would keep that to 1 and maybe replace with another pair of lightweight pants or capris.

Toilet paper. Happy Travels!

agree one sundress is enough

I would leave the sneakers at home and bring one good comfortable pair of walking shoes.

Bring a luggage lock, because even if your final bag is what we would call a carry on, it's not always considered so on the budget flights within asia and you will be checking it.

A warm fleece will be bulky, though light in weight. No reason for another "light jacket" if you're already taking that, but if you could find a jacket that's not so bulky, that would be better.

A good way to get rid of "travel book bulk" is to copy out the pages you need and leave the book at home.

Little bit of toilet paper for sure and a pack or two of hand wipes!

I was wondering if I'd need both sneakers AND closed toe walking shoes. I guess not...

I never take sneakers, but always make sure I have really good walking shoes. I used Merrills at Angkor, have used keens some places, earth in Nepal. If you're going to take flip-flops, take ones that have some good support for lots of walking, like tevas or keens or earth.

BillT's luggage list--6 suitcases and a pillow and a packpack for 2 people for 12 days--got me thinking, as I tend to fret about these things.
Bangkok Airways allows one checked bag, max. 20 kgs, and "one carryon item." I'm assuming BostonGal is going to have to travel within similar limits in Asia.
How strict is the limit to one carryon item? At the Belfast Airport a year ago it meant EITHER one purse or handbag OR one carryon suitcase OR one laptop bag OR one camera case. It's a hilarious story (now), but I won't regale you with the impromptu discarding and repacking and extra layering that took place on the spot. Can anyone interpret this requirement?
Another question: Are IATA approved luggage locks required in Asia, IF you choose to put locks on your luggage?

I still don't get the toilet paper business.

In all my epic travels in S.E. Asia, the Indian sub-continent, Africa etc I can't recall a single occasion where I might have needed to whip out the toilet roll to avert certain disgrace.

I guess I've just been lucky. Maybe I stay in good hotels that have toilet paper - and toilets.

Where are these toilet-paper-less toilets? Am I touring on the wrong circuit? Maybe it's a man thing. Dunno. It's a continuing mystery to me.

karen thinks kathie is right about tank tops...

hat---packable

limit undies to 5 pair and 3 bras...wash out in your rooms

cover-up for bathing suit...

do you need throw away shos for elephant day? and clothes too??

I guess I should add, just to be clear, that tank tops aren't just a problem at wats, they are not appropriate attire in the cities. No one will throw you out of a restaurant or a museum, but they are culturally inappropriate, and you'll attract stares and be seen as a clueless tourist. Buy yourself some light t-shirts.

Dogster, the places where one might need toilet paper aren't hotels, but places out when you're touring. And, yes, there is a gender difference involved as well. That said, I've rarely run into a place where I needed my own toilet paper. Credit my willingness to wait for a cleaner, better equipped restroom.

I'm not sure ladies traveling in SEA should take their toilet paper advise from the same gender that obviously invented the squat toilet. Heh.

lol, Lori

Definitely take TP. This may be a guy/girl thing, or dogster may be able to hold out better than I can. I've certainly needed TP on Asian trips, although not in hotels. I take a squashed roll, and tear off sections to go in my day pack.

In case it helps, my packing list (and I used it for a ten month trip with one convertible backpack and a day pack) is at wilhelmswords.com/faq/index.html

haha about the TP debate.

I'm traveling the long haul flights using my miles and will be in business, where I know I'll have a bit more leeway with regards to size of carry-on, but I want to bring the smallest possible as I'm 110% sure the small Asian airlines I'm taking my shorts flights with will have much stricter regulations. And if I have to check once I'm there, so be it. At least I can say I tried, right?!! teehee

Kathie, thanks for advice on sturdy flip flops. I've since replaced my reefs with my sturdy/supportive Miros (I think that's what they're called, they're Keen-like).

rhkkmk - good question about the throwaway clothes for the elephant day. I'll look into it, thanks!

I understand about the tanks being inappropriate, but I'll still bring them. I've traveled for weeks in Morocco and Tanzania where it was culturally unacceptable and have just layered a light long sleeve over the tank. Me and tees don't get along very well :)

But now that we're on the topic, I'm wondering if/what concerns there are for mens attire in Asia? He is already long gone, but I can throw a couple things in with my bag if I think he'll need it. I had him pack his convertible pants. Would he need another pair? Are shorts on men not appropriate? His come to his knees.

Thanks again for everyone's input!