Vietnam's Fansipan and Halong Bay
The following checklist should help you with your packing. As a general rule, you should always try to keep the weight of your equipment to a minimum.
You must bring the following items:
Hiking boots
Training shoes /Sneakers or similar
Underwear
Socks
Trekking trousers / pants
Waterproof over-trousers / rainpants
Thermal baselayer shirts
Casual shirt and/or T-shirts
Fleece jacket or warm jumper/sweater
Lightweight waterproof jacket
Thermal gloves
Sunhat
Warm hat
Eyewear – Sunglasses
Daypack 30 litres
Headtorch/Headlamp with spare batteries
Sun protection (including total bloc for lips, nose etc.)
Water bottles 1 Litre (1 Quart) x2
Selection of dry bags (to keep trek bag contents dry)
Washbag and toiletries
Small towel
Sleeping bag liner
Small padlock (to lock trek bag)
Basic First Aid Kit including: Antiseptic cream, throat lozenges, diarrhoea treatment (Immodium), painkillers, plasters and blister treatment, Insect repellent, antihistamine cream and tablets, and re-hydration salts (Dioralite). Glucose tablets and multi-vitamin tablets are a good idea.
The following items are optional:
Ear Plugs (for use on overnight train journeys)
Trekking poles (recommended)
Antibacterial handwash
Spare laces
Gaiters
Scarf or neck buff
Swimwear
Insect repellant – (DEET)
Camera, media, batteries
Penknife (remember to pack sharp objects in hold baggage)
Travel clothes
Notes:
Temperatures on Fansipan and in Sapa can occasionally drop as low as 5C / 41F, so you need to make sure you have clothing suitable for these temperatures. Sleeping bags and mats are provided for the ascent of Fansipan, but you may wish to bring your own.
