Family Travel Guide
Baby Packing Checklist for Vietnam
What to bring, what to rent, and how to arrive calm. A practical checklist for travelling to Da Nang and Hoi An with a baby or toddler, plus flying and jet-lag tips.
Pack light and rent the bulky gear. Bring what's small and personal, a carrier, bottles, medicines, sun protection and a few days' nappies and formula, and rent the stroller, car seat, cot and high chair locally so you're not dragging them through airports.
What to bring from home
The essentials worth packing, small, personal, and hard to replace on the road:
- A soft baby carrier, for airports, markets and Hoi An's narrowest lanes.
- Your own bottles and any feeding kit your baby is used to.
- A few familiar toys and comfort items, they help with sleep and new places.
- A compact first-aid kit and any prescription medicines (in original packaging).
- Baby-safe sun protection, a wide-brim hat and lightweight UV clothing for the strong sun.
- 2–3 days of your usual nappies and formula, plus a backup, then top up locally.
- A thermometer, rehydration sachets and anything you'd want at 2am at home.
- Travel insurance details that cover your child.
What to rent instead of bringing
The golden rule: rent what's bulky and awkward to fly with. These arrive clean and set up at your accommodation, so you travel light:
- A stroller, cabin-approved and easy on beaches and old-town lanes.
- A car seat, correctly fitted for the airport transfer and day trips.
- A travel cot, arriving clean and ready to sleep in.
- A high chair, for easy mealtimes at your hotel or villa.
Buying baby essentials locally
You don't need to bring everything. Supermarkets and pharmacies in Da Nang and Hoi An stock major nappy brands and international formula, baby food, wipes and toiletries, though your specific brand isn't guaranteed. Carry a few days' supply of anything critical and buy the rest on arrival. Tap water isn't for drinking; use bottled or boiled water for formula and brushing teeth.
Surviving the flight
- Feed or offer a bottle on take-off and landing to ease little ears.
- Dress in layers, cabins swing between cold and warm.
- Pack a small bag of new little toys and snacks to reveal one at a time.
- Don't over-plan the first day, expect everyone to be tired.
Beating jet lag with a little one
Central Vietnam is a few hours ahead of Australia and well ahead of Europe. Get outside in daylight soon after you arrive, keep the first day gentle and close to your accommodation, and let sleep resettle naturally over two to three days rather than forcing a new schedule. Familiar bedtime routines, a rented cot set up and ready, and comfort items from home all help your baby settle faster. Book gentle mornings and shaded, unhurried outings for the first couple of days.
Frequently asked questions
Bring what's small and personal: a carrier, your own bottles, a few familiar toys and comfort items, a compact first-aid kit and any medicines, baby-safe sun protection and a sun hat, and enough of your usual nappies and formula for the first two to three days. Rent the bulky items, stroller, car seat, cot and high chair, locally.
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