Around the world, people dress differently. Even though most countries have adopted Westernized attire, there are still some clothing standards to be aware of if you want to travel overseas. Here's our guide about what to wear in Vietnam, as well as some advice for overseas visitors.
- What to Wear in Vietnam - Regional and Seasonal
- Top 5 addresses to have the best Ao Dai (long dress) of your own in Hanoi
What to Wear in Vietnam - Regional and Seasonal
The climates in the North and South of Vietnam are very diverse. The north has four seasons, but the South has just two: dry and wet. In Southern Vietnam, the humidity and heat levels are typically substantially higher than in the north. The temperature amplitude in northern places such as Hanoi, on the other hand, is pretty extreme. Knowing what to wear in Vietnam depends a great deal on the weather of your trip.
The South (Ho Chi Minh) and the Central (Danang) only includes 2 seasons in a year: Rainy season and Dry season.
- Rainy season: from May to November
- Dry season: from December to April next year
There is no Winter in the South and the Central, so the weather is really hot, especially in the Dry season. That’s why locals often choose short outfits to make them feel cooler and comfortable. You will never see people dress warm clothes on the street in these areas.
Around 11:00 am to 1:00 am is the time sunlight is super strong. If you are exposing large parts of skin without protection, your skin may be burned or damaged. To protect the skin from sunlight, locals wear a coat, hat, and mask when going out, which makes them look like a ninja. My advice to you is to use Sunscreen while walking around, you can also wear a coat to better shield it.
The North (Hanoi) contains 4 seasons in a year includes Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.
- Spring: from February to April
- Summer: from May to July
- Autumn: from August to October
- Winter: from November to February next year
In the North, the weather is quite cold in Autumn and Winter. At this time, locals wear long sleeves, long pants, and a sweater. Winter clothing is just available in the North and some areas with cold climate, not in the South. Young people in the South often complain that they can not wear beautiful winter outfits, because the weather in the South is too hot. When traveling to Northern Vietnam in the last months of the year, remember to bring warm clothes. Short outfits are not suitable for the weather around this time.
Spring which begins from February to April has a cool climate. Summer in the North has a high temperature but not as high as in the South and the Central. Locals prefer to wear T-shirts and shorts. So you can freely put your favorite Tank top into your suitcase and carry it with you in a trip to Northern Vietnam around this time.
Another factor affecting the dressing styles in the North, the Central, and the South is the cultures and lifestyles of locals. A long history of resistance and influences from invading countries have caused differences in the culture of the costumes in these regions. People in the South and the Central have a modern and liberal way of lifestyle and thinking. They often choose outfits that are trendy, comfortable and sexy. Meanwhile, in the North, people have traditional and humble views.
- What do Vietnam people wear ? (Тhеrе іѕ nо lаw fоr а drеѕѕ соdе іn Vіеtnаm реr ѕе, but thеrе аrе thіngѕ уоu nееd tо соnѕіdеr bеfоrе tаkіng оff уоur ѕhіrt іn thе рublіс јuѕt bесаuѕе thе wеаthеr іѕ tоо hоt fоr уоu оr thаt’ѕ whаt уоu dо whеn уоu’rе оn а hоlіdау.)
- Can i wear shorts in Vietnam ? (Yes. Shorts make you feel comfortable and cool during the journey, which helps you to enjoy the best of your trip. On the other hand, you need to make sure that the types of outfits or the short level of clothes you wear are appropriate for the weather, culture, and etiquette in the places you visit. Doing these things well is the way you show respect for the culture of the country you come in.)
- What do men wear in Vietnam ? (Keep in mind, too, that Vietnamese people dress conservatively. Women and men wear long pants and short- or long-sleeved tops, for the most part, and visitors should do the same, despite the heat.)
What to Wear in Vietnam - Sacred Places
Vietnam is known for its Buddhist culture, numerous pagodas and temples are must-see tourist attractions. If you want to have the full experience, you must follow the unspoken rules at these sacred sites.
- No short sleeves or cover your shoulder
- Your shorts need to be over the knee
Tips :
- Bring along a scarf with you
- Take along some thongs with you because you need to take off the shoes when visiting temples
What to Wear in Vietnam - Different Activities
There is a lot to try in Vietnam, so dressing appropriately will enhance your experiences. Here are our suggestions for what you should wear for various activities.
Hiking: There are many great mountains in Vietnam for hiking and trekking. If you plan to go on a hiking trip, besides basic clothes like T-shirts, long pants, jackets, and hiking shoes, remember to bring along protection pads, a pair of sandals, sunglasses, anti-blister socks, and a raincoat.
Swimming and Sunbathing: Vietnam is well-known for its beautiful coastline, so it is lacking if you do not include a trip to the sea on your list. Even though locals are more open-minded, it is not recommendable to be naked or half-naked at the swimming pool and the beach. You should at least wear a short, an overtop, or a dress… to cover your bikini and swimsuit.
Riding a Motorbike: This is an exciting experience, but to get the most out of it, pants and shorts are much more preferable. If you wear short-sleeve shirts, wear a light jacket to avoid the sun.
The most vital item for riding a motorbike in Vietnam is a helmet. Most rental motorbikes have a pair of helmets included, but for traveling long distances on a motorbike in Vietnam, we would recommend preparing a high-quality helmet for yourself.
What to Wear in Vietnam - Ao dai : The traditional attire of Vietnam
The Vietnamese have several ethnic outfits which are as simple as the people of Vietnam. Each outfit shows how much they value comfort in dressing. Some of their ethnic wears are:
Fashion in Vietnam differs between cities and towns. The traditional Vietnamese outfit in the city is a little different. For the men, it is simple brown shirts and white pants, accompanied by a headdress, which is just a cloth draped around the head. For formal occasions they just add a long robe with cuts on both sides and a turban, to their daily clothes.
Young women in the cities wear short shirts of light brown color and long black skirts. A silk shirt and trouser worn by the Southern locals, which is called Ao Ba Ba.
The ceremonial clothing is known as Áo Dài, consisting of a long dress graduated in three layers which has a slit on any one side. The next layer of garment is called Ao Tu Than, this one has four cuts in its lower part and is brown in color, the second layer is yellow and the third one is pink. This is the fashion in Vietnam at its elegant best. Moreover, to add to this, Vietnamese women also wear a palm hat, which is tapering in shape and is called Non Bai Tho.
Áo Dài, the traditional dress of Vietnam actually means a “long dress”. It has been in existence for ages, from the beginning of the 18th century. Originally it was called Ao Ngu Than. Right from the beginning the Áo Dài has gone through several alterations; however its basic form, consisting of a long flowing skirt, remains the same even now.
In modern times the Áo Dài is worn mainly by women, especially during all festive occasions. More than anything else it is still the one and only marriage trousseau. Also, wearing the Áo Dài has been made compulsory in many senior schools. The popularity of the Áo Dài is not just limited to Vietnam but has spread all over the world. The Áo Dài has become like a national symbol of Vietnam. This age old fashion in Vietnam has set the trend for several modern international fashion designers.
