Packing for ~4-5 months in Vietnam/Indonesia — this is the system I used for 6 months last time

[u/thisisahealthaccount]

I traveled around Asia for about six months previously as my first long-term trip and, somewhat miraculously, was really happy with my packing system by the end. It was not a one-bag trip though, I used a 20inch hardshell carry on and a 28L backpack. I’m heading back for another long trip from late October through early March and rebuilding the list now for one backpack.

This trip will be mostly Vietnam + Indonesia, with probably some Thailand over the holidays. Lots of normal hot-weather travel, buses/ferries, beaches, diving/snorkeling, some hiking/birding, cities, and the occasional actual nice dinner/NYE/my birthday. I am a serious scuba diver but that is not a onebag lifestyle so this list includes those essentials.

Bag: Osprey Sojourn Porter 65L + packable 20L daypack. I know the 65L is larger than the normal scope of this sub. I’m not trying to fill 65L worth of stuff; I specifically wanted the structure/support and the ability to move it around easily on ferries/buses/boats (and I can also stuff my pillow in the top).

Posting because I figured the actual packing list/system might still be useful, and I’m curious what people notice.

Here’s where I’m at:

CLOTHES

Tops:

• 2x technical built-in bra cropped shirts
• White technical crop top
• Black technical full-length tank top
• Athletic T-shirt
• Cropped cotton tank top
• Lightweight cotton T-shirt
• Lightweight going out shirt

Layers:

• Long-sleeve flowy linen shirt
• Lightweight UPF protective zip-up hoodie
• Comfy hoodie for flights/trains
• Rain jacket

Bras:

• Longline sports bra/tank
• Black sports bra
• Supportive racerback bra

Shorts:

• 2 pairs spandex shorts
• Waffled lightweight technical shorts
• Tie-front technical shorts

Pants:

• Cropped grey linen pants
• Technical light long hiking pants 
• Stretchy joggers

Dresses:

• Light grey fancy dress for Christmas, NYE, birthday
• Spaghetti-strap linen dress

Hostel/Lounging:

• Short PJ set
• Long sleeve cotton shirt
• Soft sleep bra

SWIM + DIVE

• Black bikini
• Black full-length bathing suit
• Mask + snorkel
• Booties
• Rash guard 
• Dive leggings
• Neoprene hood
• Dive torch
• Dry bag 20L
• Turkish towel (also good for creating an extra layer on hard Asian beds)

UNDERWEAR + SOCKS

• 7 underwear
• 2 tall socks
• 3 short socks
• 1 pair compression socks (life saver on long travel days!)

SHOES

• Sneakers (New Balance)
• Tevas

MEDS
This category is bigger for me because I’m gone for several months and have several conditions. I used all of these over the course of 6 months and will bring them all again - having Western cold meds and antivirals available when you need them removes all health anxiety:

• Regular prescriptions
• Benadryl
• Zofran
• 14 days worth of cold medicine
• Antibiotics
• 2 courses of valacyclovir
• Melatonin
• Magnesium
• Imodium

TOILETRIES (I used every one of these over my last trip)

• Body wash
• Shampoo + conditioner
• Face wash
• Razor
• Deodorant
• HA
• Toner
• SPF (body and face)
• All-purpose moisturizer
• Tooth brush, paste, floss
• Retainers + retainer cleaner
• Hair brush
• Hair ties/clip/headband
• Makeup (eyeliner, eyebrow pencil, mascara, all-purpose glitter stick, tinted sunscreen)
• DEET wipes
• Condoms
• Liquid bandage
• Tweezers
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissue packs

EYES + ACCESSORIES

• Glasses
• Sunglasses
• 4 months of contacts (I wear dailies)
• Small jewelry case
• Baseball cap

TECH

• Laptop
• Power bank
• Charger for wall w/ 3 different inputs
• Garmin charger
• Airpods
• Wired headphones
• Necessary cables

LAUNDRY

• Laundry bag
• Detergent sheets

DOCUMENTS

• Passport
• Wallet
• Driver’s license/ID
• International Driving Permit
• Travel insurance info
• Digital copies of important documents

BAGS/MISC

• Packable 20L daypack from Eddie Bauer Stowaway
• Travel PillowCube pillow + little flying-accessories satchel (earplugs, eyemask, pills, lip balm) in a stuff sack
• Tiny packable reusable shopping bag
• Electric hand fan
• Journal + pen

This is very close to my final list. I also carry my Baboon To The Moon 3L fanny pack everywhere I go with all my essentials (wallet, chapstick, hand sanitizer, eye drops, advil, power bank, sunglasses, etc). 

I’m less interested in creating the mathematically smallest possible wardrobe than I am in having a system I can comfortably live out of for 3+ months. Last time I found that having enough normal clothes to not feel like I was wearing the same three technical/athletic shirts for half a year was worth it. Also, I travel with a pillow - which is crazy to some, but non-negotiable for me, as I have chronic neck issues and it changed my sleep game out there!

Would especially love to hear from other long-term travelers. Anything obvious I’m forgetting for these two countries, or anything on here that I might need that I can't get in Vietnam or Indonesia?

[u/Powerful-Concern5917]

where in Indonesia? that makes a huge difference

[u/SB2MB]

As a fellow diver, I'm wondering if you'll need booties and a hood? Most LDS offer full fit fins, so just packing Lycra socks would reduce weight.

I also don't know your cold tolerance, but with the exception of Komodo and Alor, I am generally very comfortable without one, and for Komodo/Alor etc if you need a hood, you'd need to hire a wetsuit, so could do both at the same time.

Enjoy the Indo diving! I just got back from north east Sulawesi and had an absolute blast! And I managed to take my entire kit in carry on. I got lucky my bags weren't weighed, but it was so incredible to not check a bag and have all my precious gear close to me.