Let’s say you’ve booked a Bai Tu Long Bay cruise on Viet Sails Boutique Cruises. Now you have to pack for your trip, but you do not know where to start?
At Viet Sails, we offer an intimate boutique experience on traditional wooden boats, where cozy cabins, authentic activities and natural beauty are the focus. Your packing should reflect this: thoughtful, minimalist and practical.
After guiding thousands of travelers through Bai Tu Long Bay, our team has pinpointed exactly what makes a comfortable and adequate trip. Here’s your complete packing guide, from the essentials to the things you’ll regret bringing.
Bring three to four lightweight cotton or linen shirts, which are best suited to Vietnam’s humidity. Comfortable shorts will suffice for daytime activities, while lightweight trousers are suitable for cooler evenings and to cover up when exploring the countryside. You can also bring a swimsuit to wear when kayaking or simply for those memorable photos.
From October to March, the sea breeze will be stronger after sunset, so bring a light jacket or sweater to keep warm. If you are going from December to February, bring a fleece or thin sweater and a scarf for misty mornings. During the rainy summer months of June to August, you can bring extra quick-drying clothes for afternoon sunbathing.
Flip-flops or waterproof sandals are your main footwear for activities and boat travel. Water shoes or water socks are essential for kayaking and caving, where surfaces can be rough and slippery. Lightweight sneakers or walking shoes are useful for cave hikes and floating bamboo boats in villages. For formal shoes or high heels, leave them at home.
Vietnam’s tropical heat is intense, so a safe sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher is essential. A wide-brimmed hat or cap protects your face and neck during kayaking and other deck activities, while polarized sunglasses with a strap are essential to protect against glare and splashes. Bring a lightweight raincoat if you’re traveling in the summer (June-August) and bring after-sun lotion or aloe vera as the sun can still build up even with regular sunscreen use.
Viet Sails cabins are equipped with shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, daily towel changes, hair dryers, and basic toiletries. You should bring your own prescription medication (bring extras and a copy of your prescription), seasickness medication just in case, and insect repellent for outdoor excursions. Toiletries and personal care items such as moisturizer, lipstick, deodorant, and feminine hygiene products should be brought from home.
A waterproof phone case is essential when kayaking, swimming, and traveling on a boat. Since cabin sockets are available but limited in number, bring a power bank with at least 10,000 mAh to ensure you don’t miss any photo opportunities. Additionally, Vietnam uses type A, C, and D sockets at 220V, so bring a universal adapter. You can also bring a small flashlight, which is handy for navigating on deck and reading at night in the cabin. Finally, a small 10-20 liter dry bag will protect your valuables during water activities.
Your passport with a valid visa is required for cruise registration. Print your cruise confirmation as a backup in case of phone or internet issues. Bring both a credit card and cash in Vietnamese dong and US dollars for tips and souvenirs purchases at the fishing village. Keep both physical and digital copies of your travel insurance documentation.
After welcoming guests, we have noticed common mistakes when packing oversized luggage. Each cabin has limited space and storage, so large suitcases will become a big obstacle. Instead, bring a soft duffel bag, a small suitcase or a travel backpack that can be easily stowed under the bed or in the wardrobe.
Ditch the disposable plastic bottles altogether. Viet Sails provides complimentary glass water bottles to be placed in your cabin during the 2-3 day cruise. Similarly, bulky laptops and gaming devices can also be left at home as WiFi is limited due to poor signal. Your smartphone or tablet will suffice for essential communication, although a paperback book may be more useful.
Leave expensive jewelry on land to avoid the risk of it falling overboard, security concerns for valuables, and the fact that the salty air tarnishes metals quickly. Finally, don’t pack too many toiletries as Viet Sails provides quality basics and you’re only going for 2-3 days. Travel versions of your favorite personal care products like your specialty shampoo or favorite facial cleanser are all you need beyond what’s provided.
The climate in Northern Vietnam varies considerably from season to season, so tailor your packing to the time of year you are sailing.
Spring (March-May): temperatures range from 20-28°C, with warm weather, light winds and occasional light rain. Bring light, breathable cotton or linen clothing for daytime activities, medium SPF sunscreen (SPF 30-50), a thin cardigan to protect from the evening breeze and allergy medication if you are allergic to flowers during the blooming season.
Summer (June-August): temperatures reach 28-35°C, high humidity and thunderstorms in the afternoon. Quick-drying synthetic clothing is ideal for this hot weather. Bring a high SPF sunscreen (over 50) and reapply it frequently to maintain sun protection throughout the journey. A light raincoat or poncho will help you cope with sudden showers, while a spare pair of shorts and a t-shirt will save you from getting your clothes wet after an afternoon downpour. Consider bringing electrolyte packs as the heat combined with high humidity can cause dehydration.
Autumn (September-November): Ideal temperatures range from 22-28°C with clear skies, little rain and comfortable temperatures. Versatile layers are most effective when combined with a moderate sunscreen (SPF 30). Bring a light jacket and trousers for the evenings when the temperature drops to 18-20°C, and don’t forget your camera gear as this is considered the best time for photography. Autumn is the perfect time for everything, with both comfort and conditions peaking during these months.
Winter (December-February): temperatures drop to 15-22°C with foggy mornings and dry air. Bring a sweater or light fleece jacket, long pants and long-sleeved shirts, a scarf for foggy mornings on deck, moisturizer as the cold air is drier, and warm socks for comfort and warmth in the cabin.
Guests can check the weather forecast 5-7 days before departure using Windy.com for sea conditions (wind, waves, rain) and AccuWeather for reliable forecasts for Quang Ninh province (where Bai Tu Long Bay is located). Weather conditions can change quickly, but Viet Sails’ experienced team will navigate the weather professionally, always putting your comfort and safety first.
Here’s the secret of experienced travelers: the less you pack, the more you bring back.
Our packing philosophy recommends leaving 20% of your luggage empty when you arrive. Not necessarily for souvenirs, but for the physical and mental relief that comes from traveling without excess, experiencing without burden, and returning home with peace rather than material possessions.
From Vung Vieng Floating Village, you can buy freshwater pearls directly from the authentic growers at affordable prices. Small hand-woven items such as baskets and coasters made by the village artisans make meaningful souvenirs. After the excursion, back in Ha Long City, local handicrafts such as painted ceramics, lacquer and silk await you.
But the best souvenirs are not gifts that you bring home. You will take home the feeling of sleeping soundly with the gentle waves, the sunset photos capturing the serene beauty, the taste of delicious food on board, the stories exchanged with your fellow passengers over a cup of afternoon tea at sunset, the hours of uninterrupted sleep on the calm waters, and the moment you realize your phone hasn’t vibrated in hours.
The best suitcase for your Viet Sails cruise is not the one that is full, but the one that is well-prepared. Each item should serve multiple purposes, withstand the bay conditions and enhance your experience rather than complicate it.
Remember that the best experiences are when: less time managing luggage means more time watching the sunset. Less worry about expensive items means you are more present in the moment. Less to carry home means more space for the things that really matter.
Now that you know exactly what to pack (and skip), you’re prepared for a seamless, comfortable Viet Sails Cruise experience. Ready to start your unforgettable journey with us?
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