Kitty

Hi, I'm going to Hanoi for 5 months and then for a monht's further travel around VN, and I have no idea what to pack! I will take a backpack and daypack, but am unsure as to how many clothes to take, what kind of things are unavailable in Hanoi, such as toiletries, shampoo, tissue etc. Any advice???!! Thanks!

Al

Save your concerns. If you have a favorite brand of toiletry or shampoo, pack it. Otherwise, Hanoi is a huge marketplace of just about anything you can imagine. Pack a minimum of clothing. You will find plenty there at VERY reasonable prices. We know because we just returned, traveling from border to border.

Jen

Umm... feminine supplies if you use any tampons other than OB. And antiperspirant if you prefer it to deodorant.<BR><BR>I'm just guessing, but if the selection there is like here in Malaysia, those things might be hard to come by, or very expensive if you do find them. Everything else is no problem.

Jen

I thought of something else. If you are larger than a size 10, you may have trouble buying clothes. In shoes, size 8 is about the max. And if you don't like unpadded bras, bring enough with you because they are almost impossible to find in Asia!

andrea

Any kind of toiletries are pretty easy to find in Hanoi. As far as clothes, have some made! In the old quarter, there's a 'silk road'. don't remember the name. Lots of shops & lots of tailors will make any design for you, in any size! Pick the fabric, and show them a picture and voila, a new wardrobe, quickly! Not as inexpensive as India, but great quality. They'll even deliver it to your hotel. Definitely take an overnight boat trip to halong bay.