What clothes for Indochina
 

Hi, We are leaving for Indochina in 10 days time so thinking about what clothes to pack. I feel it could be cooler than I previously thought. We start our adventure in Saigon then Hoi An, Hue, Hanoi, Halong Bay, Laung Prabang, Vientiene, finishing up in Siem Reap. Any tips ? Many thanks.

Cottons and linens will stand you in good stead.

historical temperature and rainfall averages: www.weatherbase.com

hot generally even in hanoi...very hot in cambodia

All of th places you mention will be hot (i.e.80-90f +) so cotton/linen & shorts will be ideal. The exception is Luang Prabang where although it will probably around 80f during the day, the temperature drops significantly night and it is likely to be cold and misty in the mornings. I can remember one year shivering as we ate breakfast in the Villa Santi's restaurant looking down the main street through the thick fog and shivering as we ate . Take a light fleece just for LP!

It can also be cool in Hanoi and Halong Bay this time of year. Our photos from a Christmas trip 2 years ago show us in long pants and long sleeved shirts during the day, adding light sweaters and jackets in the evening.

Someone just posted the exact same question over on LP. those who live in the north of Vietnam say it is especially cool out on the water on Halong Bay. I'd take some layers and a nice jacket if I were you.

We're leaving in 2 weeks for Vietnam only and also plan to visit the far north in addition to the far south. In addition to our summer clothes, we are actually taking fleece jackets and gore tex jackets.

Our tour organizer for our Mekong Delta cycling trip suggests bringing a wide brim hat with a chin string on it, some toilet paper, regular shoes (not just sandals) for hiking/walking, some large size hankies, a windbreaker etc. He also says that if you do hand laundry in your room at night it might not dry overnight because of the high humidity.

I also wear a lot of cotton and linen when in SEA. However, I also like a lot of the newer techy outdoor clothing that combines cotton with a synthetic quick dry fabric. I found, particularly when in Siem Reap, that I wore 2+ shirts a day because it was so hot and sweaty. The quick dry fabrics dry quicker than all cotton both when you are wearing them and when they are left to hang dry after washing. I had a nice sleeveless blouse from Ex Officio or Patagonia and it was all dry 30 minutes after washing it.

Stores such as Eastern Mountain Sports or REI (sorry, I don't know where you are from) are great for these types of clothes.

Thank you all for your replies. Have lots of cotton & linen so that will be easy & will make sure that I have a sweater & jacket for the cooler areas. Crelleston we are actually staying at the Villa Santi Hotel in LP.
Toilet paper now on the list Julies.
Will check out the website Kathie.
Crusinred we are from Australia but will make sure we have some quick drying fabrics as well.
Have a vey happy Christmas one & all.