Vietnam - what to wear
 

Hi,
Am going to Vietnam on a tour runing from Ho Chi Minh North to Hanoi and Hanlong Bay at the end of January and beginning of February. I am just wondering what to wear. I was thinking Cargo Shorts and Jeans. Will this be okay. I have heard that Shorts are not allowed to be worn in Temples and generally in some cities - is this true ??

Any advice will be appreciated.
Jeff

No shorts in temples, and generally, shorts are not city attire. Jeans are way too heavy and hot.

Hi

Remember that Vietnam is a very diverse country including in terms of its weather given that it is a very narrow but very long shape along the coast. For example today in Hanoi it is 11C(52F) while in Ho Chi Minh City the temperature is 31C(88F) - see www.vietnamstay.com http://www.vietnamstay.com/information/weather.htm

I agree with Kathie re shorts in temples - simply not respectful of the culture. My daughters wore jeans and were ok with that but I find I prefer lighter pants.

Will you be in Vietnam for Tet ?? - see http://www.saigoninfo.com/tet/meaningoftet.htm

Enjoy :-)

i wore chinos

I wear shorts or jeans in HCMC all the time (mostly shorts). I also wear dress pants. Nobody will care if you wear any of these in the city (as long as a dress code isn't required for the place your visiting). In the temples, you need to cover up (no shorts/tank tops).

Hi,
Thanks everybody for the replies. I will be there at the end of January and beginning of February. I did speak to somebody today and they wore shorts alot of the time, he didn't go to any temples though. Apart from the temples there would be no problems wearing shorts in the city though would there ??

Thanks again
Jeff

Absolutely no problem at all

I would not plan on wearing shorts in Hanoi..it is much to cold for that right now and will likely not change too much in a couple of weeks!!