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Packing: Southeast Asia Packing Guide for Women

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In this post we share a women’s packing list for a three-week trip to Southeast Asia.


Trip Details

  • 18 hour-long haul flight (nonstop, direct to destination)
  • Four “commuter” flights (less than five hours) during the trip
  • Carry-on style travel (some of the smaller flights have low weight restrictions where this will not be possible)
  • Weather: high 80s, low 90s Fahrenheit (mid-20s-low 30s Celsius); high humidity, occasional rain showers
  • 1/2 of the trip will be exploring cities (Singapore, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City)
  • 1/4 of the trip will be outdoors (no intensive trekking or hiking)
  • 1/4 of the trip will be on the beach
  • Accommodation: hotels, villas (with access to laundry services)
  • Laundry done once mid-way through the trip

Gear

This diaper tote/backpack measures 15.5 inches wide on the front and back panels x 5.5 inches on the side panels and x 14 inches tall.

This fanny pack is purpose built to hold diapers and wipes. It measures 11 inches wide in the front and back panels x 5 inches on the side panels x 5 inches tall. It also includes a baby changing pad and a belt extender. The wipes featured here are an unopened 64 wipe pack with two size 4 diapers and the fit is snug in the main pocket.

Long Haul Flight Outfit

[Items noted below are all listed in the clothing section and are NOT in an addition to what is packed in the backpack]

Clothing

Outerwear

Tops

  • 1 white long sleeve cover up
  • 1 chambray long sleeve cover up
  • 2 tank tops (black, white)
  • 3 lightweight shirts with sleeves (black, white, color/patterned)
  • 4 dresses – three knee-length one long sleeve midi dress (substitute two dresses with two shorts and two shirts if you don’t wear dresses)
  • 1 dress slip

Bottoms

Underwear

  • 10 or so pairs of underwear
  • 2 seamless bras
  • 5 pairs of no show socks
  • 1 lightweight pajama set

Beach

  • 2 bathing suits (one piece for activities, one bikini or tankini)
  • 2 bathing suit dress (or cover up, sarong)

Shoes

Accessories

  • Earrings – delicate gold hoop, delicate silver hoop (make sure they can get wet/water friendly)
  • 1 lightweight scarf for covering shoulders
  • 1 hat

Toiletries

  • Toothbrush + (mini) toothpaste (purchase full sized when you reach)
  • Floss
  • Face wash
  • Moisturizer
  • Sunscreen
  • Deodorant
  • Hairbrush
  • Hair ties & bobby pins
  • After sun soothing cream
  • Contact lenses

Makeup

  • Eyeliner
  • Mascara
  • Eyebrow pencil
  • Cream blush (can be blended in with fingers)
  • Concealer (can be blended with fingers)
  • Lip stain
  • Chapstick

Tools

  • Tweezers
  • Cuticle trimmer
  • Razor (and extra blades)
  • Compact travel mirror

Mosquito bite prevention

Digestion

  • Imodium
  • Digestive enzymes

Tricky to find/limited options when on the road:

  • Deodorant
  • Razor blades
  • Period products
  • Sunscreen

Electronics

  • Google Pixel smartphone + charger
  • Waterproof phone case
  • Global converter
  • iPad mini tablet (as a replacement for computer) + charger + case
  • External battery pack + charging cord
  • Corded headphones

Miscellaneous

  • Wet bag
  • Handful of ziplock bags
  • Face mask
  • Sanitizing wipes

Identity, Health, Banking & Insurance

  • Passport (with applicable visas and six months+ of time before expiration)
  • Global Entry card (second form of identification)
  • Proof of funds (print out of last bank statement)
  • Covid-vaccination card
  • Charles Schwab debit card (no foreign transaction fees and refunds ATM fees)
  • $100 USD converted into local currency, small bills
  • World Nomads travel insurance policy and contact information (used as a secondary insurance beyond coverage at home)
  • Coin purse

If staying in a hostel, plan to pack:

  • Microfiber towel
  • Small sleeping bag liner like the Cocoon Travel Sheet (packs down into the size of a fat deck of cards)
  • Shampoo
  • Conditioner
  • Body wash
  • Shower flip flops

Items you can leave at home:

  • Mosquito net – available for rent or free use in most hostels, hotels and b&b’s.
  • Jeans – even though locals wear them, they retain moisture and can become too tight if your body swells in the heat. If you DO bring them, plan to select a looser fitting, boyfriend style cut that does not fit snug against your body.
  • Polyester or synthetic clothing — does not breathe well in the humid, hot air.

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