Last Updated on December 12, 2024 by Christine Kaaloa
Recently, a reader asked for tips on packing light for summer travel. Since I’m heading to Vietnam tomorrow, I thought it would be the perfect time to share my best advice for packing for Southeast Asia.
Climate in Southeast Asia
Table of Contents: What to Pack for Backpacking Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia’s climate is predominantly hot and humid, with rainy (or monsoon) seasons from October to December and, in some areas like Borneo, extending into February. While the heat is constant, air-conditioning in transportation can be surprisingly cold—Thailand’s buses and trains, for example, are notorious for cranking the A/C.
Tip: Layering is key. Bring a lightweight scarf or shawl to stay warm on transport and peel off when outside.
Dress etiquette in Southeast Asia
While casual attire is common, cultural norms lean toward modesty. Women often wear shorts but cover their shoulders, while men typically avoid going shirtless in public. Southeast Asia is predominantly Buddhist, so temple etiquette requires removing shoes and covering your legs. Women should pack a below-the-knee skirt or dress for temple visits.
Tip: Opt for versatile clothing like convertible dresses or skirts that can transition between casual sightseeing and temple-appropriate attire.
Activities in Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia offers a wealth of activities, from trekking, hiking, and scuba diving caving to exploring temples, waterfalls, and beaches. Your packing list should account for a mix of outdoor adventures and cultural experiences.
Tip: Pack clothes that are moisture-wicking and quick-drying, ideal for sweaty hikes or unexpected rain showers.
Sizing up my backpack
When packing for Southeast Asia for several months, I focus on balancing weather, culture, health, and comfort. I consider myself a medium packer, aiming for versatility in every item.
Although I took a backpacker’s pack at the time, I ultimately converted to a wheeled backpack carry-on, due to the fact it was laborious to wear my pack like a sherpa. After changing to a convertible carryon- I didn’t look back. Check out my minimalist tips for packing for carry-on.
Read: How to Choose a Rolling Backpack Carryon
Read Ways to Outsmart Pickpockets and Thieves
Packing for Southeast Asia
Convertible, convertible, convertible . Most things I pack, I make my Swiss Army tools of travel.
Packing Smart for Southeast Asia’s Climate
Will you be visiting a country with religious or conservative dress norms? Are you expecting variations in climate during your trip? Preparing for flexibility is key.
Southeast Asia is known for its tropical climate, often described as hot, hotter, and hottest—along with its rainy monsoon seasons. Humidity is a constant companion, so plan to sweat.
Opt for quick-drying, lightweight fabrics like microfiber, nylon, or spandex blends. These materials are breathable, help regulate body temperature, and dry quickly, even in high humidity. Avoid heavy or thick fabrics that take longer to dry and can trap odors. Wet clothes left in your backpack all day can turn into an unpleasant surprise, so choosing the right materials makes a big difference.
Pro tip: Pack versatile pieces that allow you to layer up for temples or cooler evenings while still keeping cool during the day. .
Tops
- 1 light-weight short sleeved cotton t-shirt
- 2 Indian long-sleeved shirts (*if anyone knows how to dress for conservative, yet battle the summer heat, it’s India)
Read Packing for India
Pants
Jeans is not my favorite pant for Southeast Asia unless I’m visiting for business travel. The fabric is thick and you’ll only really use it for cosmopolitan environments. But I always pack my Northface pants, as it converts quickly into shorts, knickers and pants and is great for rugged activity such as treks.
- 1 skirt (knees length of longer in the case the countries I visit are conservative. Skirts are also perfect for squat toilets)
- 1 pair of North Face Paramount convertible pants
- 1-2 pair of light-weight, quick to dry leggings
Bed wear, underwear & swim wear
I decided to clump all the above into one category because I like to make the most use of my items by having them double up on purpose. My swim wear doubles as night wear and sometimes, underwear. My bed time wear also doubles as backup daywear and workout wear.
It’s always safe to pack a swim suit for Southeast Asia as you can experience beaches to rivers and waterfalls. Southeast Asia is also known for inexpensive PADI diving certifications and snorkel activities. Sunscreen is a must and while you can buy it abroad, it might be cheaper to get where you’re from as sunscreen costs are premium, along with whitening products. Also, if you’re hitting the ocean hard, you might consider these eco-friendly sunscreen options
- 1 thin nylon tank top
- 5 pairs of underwear
- 1 pair light-weight Nike yoga pants (* extra protection against mosquitoes at night)
- 1 workout yoga swim bra
(Also functions as an on-the-go activity bra)
- Sunscreen (in Asia/Southeast Asia, starting at $8).
- A large-brimmed safari hat for sun protection
Footwear
Flip flops and sandals can play more of a role in your casual sightseeing and temple going. Temples in Southeast Asia will require you to remove footwear so footwear that’s easy to slip on and off is ideal. Running or hiking shoes are good for physical activities like trekking.
- 1 pair Havianas soft flip-flops
* casual walking, beaches, bathroom showers
- 1 pair of New Balance 701 running shoes *I always pack a shoe for sporting activities, i.e. trekking, caving, etc..
- 2-3 pairs of thin nylon socks
Toiletries
Packing toiletries for Southeast Asia requires smart planning, especially when traveling with carry-on luggage. Opt for TSA-compliant travel containers like these 2-ounce refillable bottles, which are perfect for essentials like shampoo or body wash. To save space and lighten your load, consider using up partially filled toiletries—like a half-used tube of toothpaste or old travel-sized hotel shampoo bottles—on your journey. Once you run out, you can easily restock in Southeast Asia, where toiletries are affordable and widely available. Thai 7-Elevens, for instance, are stocked with everything from travel-sized toiletries to over-the-counter medicines.
For drying off after a refreshing tropical rain or quick swim, a quick-drying travel towel like this Eagle Creek towel is a must. Pair it with a compact Korean hand scrubber for lightweight and effective cleaning.
A reusable fold-up bag is one of my favorite versatile travel essentials. Use it as a hanging toiletries bag, a carry-on tote, or even for shopping at local markets. Add an inexpensive carabiner or S-hook to hang your bag or wet clothes in bathrooms, keeping them dry and off damp surfaces.
These items not only save space but also add convenience and flexibility to your Southeast Asia adventures.
(Above) sample and trial sizes… and actual samples!
Tampons
The one thing western women will have difficulty finding are tampons. Thailand sells them in 7 Elevens and pharmacy stores, but they’re more the exception than the rule.
Tech gear & accessories
Tech gadgetry in a developing countries can range from medium to impossible to find. You can’t always trust the electronics you purchase there. It’s always best to prepare extra batteries. Always take the charging/power cables you need. If doing a camping or trekking journey, never assume facilities will have electrical outlets. In some instances, they don’t.
I take a unlocked iPhone or GSM travel phone, camera, SD memory cards, day pack backpack and of course, backup batteries and charging cables. See my film/blogging gear here.
- Country plug adapters
- Extra memory cards and spare batteries
- Chargers and charging cables
- A multi-plug power strip in the case you’re sharing outlets with other travelers.
Updated packing list here.
Backpacking accessories
- Silk liner
— it protects you from your bed & functions as a light sleeping bag/sheet
- 1 bottle of diluted solumel which you can also use as insect repellent (*read ways to avoid bed bugs)
- Your travel medicine such as aspirin, anti-diarrheal pills, motion sickness pills, etc… & a small first aid kit
Useful Accessories
- 1 big pashmina scarf
(* multi-use function: face mask, shawl or headdress for conservative countries or religious temples, blanket and on some occasions, towel.)
- ziploc sandwich bags
to put open snacks and food leftovers in. They’re also the poor man’s organizer. I can use it to hold money when I go to the beach (you can put it in your pocket when swimming), holding receipts, organizing currencies, etc… Read: How to Organize your Currencies
- Extra plastic ziploc storage
(* for dirty clothes, protecting your stuff from rain or mud, organizing currency, etc…)
- Snacks & Vitamins: I always take power bars as snacks. I’ll sometimes pack a bag of dried fruit and mixed nuts as a backup meal for times when I don’t feel comfortable with my food options.
- Pack of tissues or small roll of toilet paper (* you’ll need them for public bathrooms & rest stops)
- Flush-friendly biodegradable baby wipes
- A pocket flashlight
- A waterproof backpack cover for rainy seasons.
- Optional: 1 lightweight rain jacket for cold nights or air-conditioned trains
Travel insurance
While Thailand is my home for dental and medical tourism, not everyone feels comfortable with finding their way through this if they’ve had an accident or caught a bout of dengue fever. I’ve used World Nomads Travel Insurance for any trip that’s over a month. You can get insurance for short trips too and it’s smart for international travel. It covers most everything and the types of at risk sport activities common to Southeast Asia, like trekking, caving and scuba diving, etc..
Travel documents & health
- Extra passport/visa photos (many backpackers to Southeast Asia like to travel more than one country and do overland crossing.)
- Malaria prevention is one travel shot you may want to ask your travel doctor about. Southeast Asia has had malaria outbreaks and mosquitoes can even be found in urban areas.
Tips for shopping in Southeast Asia
You can buy a lot in Southeast Asia.
Thailand is best for shopping travelers as they have a lot mall shopping, pharmacies and 7 Elevens where you can get the basic necessities, like aspirins, dehydration salts and motion sickness pills. In beach towns, they’ll also sell beachwear and water accessories.
Backpacker areas generally have stores which sell travel products for tourists. While they may not always have recognizable name brands, they might have knock off versions.
I always assume I’ll pick up some of the country’s local garb to travel around in, because no one knows how to cope with the country climate better than the people who live there!
Shopping is a universal language in most parts of the world. Unless you’re traveling to a rural locale, you can buy most basic products in big cities. Alternately, a trip to the local store will prove an interesting and enlightening cultural trip!
When my backpack got lost on my way to Morocco, I bought throwaway clothes and underwear (which I eventually decided I wanted to keep as souvenirs), soap and sanitary pads from the a store near the railway station. I came back with pretty funky souvenir experiences from that trip, like olive oil soap and a loofah from my hammam baths.
