Do you overpack? Is there any way out of the terrible mess? From someone that used to bring a huge suitcase full of stuff, I decided it was time to stop wasting energy on carrying bags and spending energy on climbing mountains. Never fear because this guide can help you lessen the burden of wanting to bring everything. Southeast Asia is an entirely different ballpark from other countries, so if you are panicking because you hate packing or you’re completely clueless, then this guide is for you. I’m going to show you what I bring and you can draw your inspiration on what to pack for Southeast Asia.
Swimsuits
Swimwear is always always the fun part because the beach is bomb in Southeast Asia. One of the biggest regrets I see people and bloggers complain about is not bringing enough cute swimwear to mix and match. Don’t make that mistake because you’ll most likely be in your swimwear the majority of the time! I would recommend you bring three fun patterned tops and two solid bottoms. š I always get a lot of compliments on my black one piece swimsuit, so if you’d like one similar, check out this one.
Carry on Suitcase
Alas, the age old debate of roll or fold. Do it however you like. I always roll my clothes and I can fit a lot but I’m willing to try this fold technique. Which one do you swear by? Here’s some of the things I brought in my carry on suitcase.
- 1 sarong-cover up for the beach and my shoulders for Buddhist temples
- 1 pair of ele-pants-likewise for temples and comfort
- 1 summer hat for the beach and sun protection
- 1 pair of cropped athletic leggings
- 1 athletic t-shirt
- 2 rompers because it’s an outfit in one
- 2 tight fitted exercise shorts for chub rub
- 2 loose fitting cotton tanks
- 3 shorts
- 3 t-shirts
- 3 dresses-2 sun dresses and 1 maxi
- 7 pairs of socks
- 3 pairs of shoes- one pair of beach flipflops, one pair of sandals. (I wore my sneakers on the plane)
- 3 fitted cotton tanks
- 3 bras- white, skin colored and strapless
- 2 sports bras
- 1 Travel Bra
- 12 undies
The Travel Bra
Do you feel a bit insecure about your valuables while traveling? I know I’m especially paranoid when couch surfing or going to places where pick pockets run rampant. I’m always looking over my shoulder in hopes no one will slash my backpack (or use their sneaky little fingers to go in my backpack), steal my money, passport or credit cards. Cue The Travel Bra. This supportive bra comes with a drop-down stretch pocket for your passport, a hidden mini-pocket for small valuables, a mesh sleeve for credit cards or any type of cards, and space in the cups for cash.
In my opinion, The Travel Bra rivals the top sports bras in comfort and style because the bamboo, organic cotton, and spandex give you full support. It’s probably the softest and most comfortable bra I own. If you’re like me and you trust people as far as you can throw them, then the travel bra is for you. Now, if someone tried to pick pocket me it’s still a damper, but the theif can’t take away my identity, money or credit cards.
Electronics
This 7kg limit kills me as travel blogger and YouTubers because I need to bring my equipment like my Cannon Kiss DSLR camera and Macbook Pro. If you’re not a travel blogger then your equipment will undoubtedly be much lighter than mine.
- Apple iPhone X Unlocked (Gold) + charger
- 1 Cannon Kiss charger
- 1 camera case
- 1 universal charger
- 1 Macbook Pro sleeve
- 1 waterproof phone case
- 1 SJCam 5000X, extra battery and usb cord
- 1 mini power case
- 1 power case charger
- 2 32gb SD cards
Beauty & Toiletries
I’ve sworn in and out, up and down Korean beauty products are affordable with fantastic quality. I never go anywhere without my Nature Republic skincare routine and that includes big trips. Don’t settle for whatever is available. You never know how it could react with your skin, plus your skin will thank you for the routine. I never leave for a sleepover or travel without these! Here are some of my go to pics for staying flawless while I travel.
- Jeju Sparkling Mud Foam Cleanser
- Jeju Sparkling Cleansing Water
- Collagen Dream 70 Cream
- Nature Republic Hand sanitizer
- Dove Deodorant
- Toothpaste by Club Clio
- Toothbrush
- Travel size shampoo and conditioner in bottles
- Travel size Banana Boat SPF 50
- Hair ties
How do you fit all this awesome stuff? I use travel bottles from Daiso, but I found this super awesome toiletry travel bag with bottles that have labels in them so you never have to figure out what’s in them. Just don’t put the conditioner in the shampoo bottle. š
Makeup
I like looking pretty as much as the next girl. I usually go barefaced at the beach but I up my game when I’m sightseeing because let’s be real, the photos have to be Instagram worthy. I keep my make up bag minimal, but again, I’m swearing my these makeup products.
- Iope BB cushion (I use the men’s one because my skin is darker)
- Too Faced eye shadow primer
- Kate Diamond Eyeshadow
- Maybeline Concealer
- Maybeline Waterproof Mascara
- Sailor Moon Eyeliner
Bags
With me, I like to keep a small backpack so I can fit my camera and ele-pants or sarong (just in case). It’s also great for storing water. I also keep a smaller bag on the plane for my reach to beauty products like lip balm and hand sanitizer for easy reach.
I hope this has helped you all figure out what you want to pack to Southeast Asia. Of course, I’m only going for 2 weeks, but you can definitely draw inspiration from this. After all, I’m an expert packer after dealing with small weight sizes in Asia. š
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41 Comments on What to Pack for Southeast Asia
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The last time I was doing a backpacking trip, the one thing I was jealous of someone else having was this silk sleeping bag. There are just so many beds that are questionable or train beds that you wonder when were washed. The couple said this sleeping bag was cool when it was warm but it was also pretty warm when it was cool. AND the best part was that it folded up to the size of alike a Cider can when rolled. I’d take that too… just in case. Never know where you’ll be sleeping.
This silk sleeping bag sounds awesome. I can definitely get on board with this. Do you know where I can find it? You definitely never know where you’ll be sleeping so it’s always good to have backup.
Great list – totally agree with swimsuits and sarong. I have often used it to cover my shoulders as I am used to wearing sleeveless/tanks on vacation which are a no-no at places of worship. A sarong comes in handy in soooo many ways! I also carry a waterproof carry bag for my essentials (Camera/phone/sarong/notebook). The travel bra is going to be a great addition going forward for me as well.
Yes! I learned my lesson about covering up when I visited Thailand. I had no idea about it before. Sarongs are so beautiful and cheap. Luckily, this summer is about the elephant print so it’s fashionable too! I also used my sarong at the beach. I totally forgot to pack my waterproof carry bag and I’ll definitely have to use that next time.
Some very good advice. Although make up is really a waste of time because it just melts off in the humidity! Take as few clothes as possible to allow room for all the stuff you will want to buy! Thanks for the tips.
I did use my BB cream a lot to protect my face. Sunscreen always gives me breakouts. Do you have a good sunscreen you can recommend? I don’t buy much on my trips, but I do take a lot of photos as my souvenirs.
I am one of the rare people who travels very light. I love your list and by the way the bathing suits are so cute and it reminds me I need new ones. Oh and I really like that Map backpack it is super cute – is it heavy at all? I have been dying to go over to Asia I have never been to that part of the world and this list was very helpful. Thanks for sharing and Happy Roving!!!
Thanks so much! I really loved my swimsuits too! They are so lightweight you can take them anywhere! The more the merrier, right? I got mine in Seoul, but it’s pretty lightweight, fashionable and versatile. When you come to Asia, I would love to see your packing list! š
What an organised traveller you are Gina Bear! I don’t think I’ve ever made a list of what to pack for any trip. I’m the kind of traveller who throws things in a suitcase the day before. The good thing about going to South East Asia is you can pick up anything you’ve forgotten to pack pretty cheaply!
Sometimes having a list is best to see what we need and what we don’t need in the long run. I know loads of people who do that to. Seriously, packing is the bane of my existence. I totally agree with you! Everything is so cheap and they have sizes for everyone especially since there are so many tourists.
Hehe the more you travel the more you perfect the packing light for sure! Some great tips in here, thanks Gina š
Thanks so much! What suggestions do you have to make the list better? š
Great recommendations and they are all very useful especially an SPF 50 sunscreen because of the too much sun we have here.
Do you have any good recommendations for sunscreen I can bring? I break out so bad with the sunscreen I use now. I need something strong and skin friendly. š
You forget another very important thing: mosquito repellant. Haha oh my gosh the mosquitoes in Southeast Asia are fierce. Korean mosquitoes have nothing on them. Great post though! š
I know! I learned the hard way this time! The mosquitos were absolutely brutal! I thought I was going to die! >_< They know how to take a chunk out of your legs! Hahaha.
I just did a post about what to pack for SE Asia myself, and one of the things I said was regretting that I only brought two swimsuits! While that was realistically all I needed I did so many trips to waterfalls, lakes and beaches that I got bored of seeing the same ol’ swimsuit in all of my photos.
Your post could have been one of the posts that I read! I did a lot of trips to water based places and some bloggers said they wished they had more swim suits to make the photos more dynamic. Can you use photoshop? Hahaha. I’m learning and I wonder how easy it would be to change the color. š
WOW! That’s a lot of stuff to bring for just two weeks in Vietnam! I think the title is a bit misleading as it’s more beach destination focused rather than all encompassing SEA travel. I brought less traveling SEA in 4 months and still got rid of items (sent them home or donated them) along the way. I was surprised to see so much makeup – it’s so hot there and it melts off! I don’t think I ever wore it. Either way, great post š
Great list, includes all practical and sensible suggestions. Always the dilemma we travelers face is how to optimize the baggage that we lug around. Just enough to have all essentials and at the same time it should not become inconvenient.
Totally Vjay! What are some of the essentials you like to bring? Do you have any tips on making my list smaller? š
Obviously you bring more bikinis on a trip than me, but I win in terms of electronics. I bring a minimum of 4 lenses (and only use 2 at most) for my camera, a tripod (sometimes the very heavy one, which I immediately regret), and a whole bunch of other stuff. I think the key is packing everything you want to bring and then leaving half of that at home. That way you force yourself to only bring the essentials.
Hahaha. Your comment gave me a smile! I imagine you wouldn’t bring so many bikinis, but if that’s your flavor then go for it! š You definitely win on the electronics portion. What kind of camera do you use and what lens do you bring along?
I always enjoy seeing what other people pack for their holidays. I’m off to India for 2 months in Sept with just 7kg hand luggage- I never take more than a carry on cause I don’t need that much stuff. That travel bra is an amazing idea- I’ve been wanting to purchase one for months now, much better than a money belt! Anyways, great post, and I hope you had a good trip.
I’m so excited to read about your India trip! You’re better at packing than I am! I’m not sure what a money belt is, but I’ve been stuffing my cash in my bra for as long as I can remember! I’m glad they finally made a bra for it! Where in India will you be going?
Good list! Definitely ditto on the bathing suits and always packing in a carry on. I tend to save space on the makeup and skincare because I don’t use any of it (whoops!). So I just pack enough sunscreen for my first few days so then I can buy some more. Also, another reason I’ve loved Asia is that almost every hotel I’ve stayed in (in many countries) provides toothbrushes, shampoo, conditioner and body wash – so I don’t need to bring it!
I envy you and your good skin! I always have to bring my own stuff because I feel more comfortable sticking to my routine and the products I use. Asia is definitely awesome when it comes to giving you toiletries for your stay. Did you pack any oil? I ended up buying olive oil in Bali because my hair was getting super dry!
Hi Gina – thanks for sharing this post. Back in my earlier days (haha) I had a very bad history of overpacking – this has gotten better over the years. I plan to do a bit of backpacking once my contract is finished here in Korea, and this will really help me keep things in perspective when I go through the OH Shit – what to pack moments! Cheers!
When do you finish your contract in Korea and where do you think you’ll be backpacking to? Hahaha. I used to have oh snap moments, but I feel like the more you travel, the more you get the hang of it.
What exactly is a chub rub? lol
Lol. It’s when your thighs rub together and you get a rash or wet clothes rub on your skin and you get a rash. Hahahaha.
Great list of things to pack for SE Asia. I always pack a few swim suits and definitely a sarong. I find a sarong is so handy for the beach, but also to cover up when visiting temples. I like to travel carry on, so I find rolling helps best fit everything into the bad. Plus it doesn’t crinkle the clothing as badly as folding.
Totally! Rolling is also a good way and folding gives you more wrinkles. Luckily, the humid and hot weather acts like an iron so it helps a bit! š The sarong is my favorite travel accessory for SE Asia for sure!
Ah i am the worst when it comes to packing, i feel your pain with cameras and my Macbook, soooo many chargers, my hard drive! Its ridiculous then i have to get it all out at the security desk haha the one thing i need to cut back on is makeup, i love makeup and just cant find it in me to leave it behind!
I know right? I have my action came and DSLR. The action cam is awesome but the DSLR is soooo heavy! Also, as a blogger, you gotta get all the essentials in! I hate taking out my laptop at the security desk. Any tips on making that easier? I love makeup too and I always wanna look pretty! š
As you know, I found this really useful as I /never/ know what to pack! Even going for a weekend to Seoul I get confused about what I need to take, and always end up with stuff I don’t even wear xD
I think a sarong is one of the most useful things to take. Anything that’s multi-use is a space saver, and I love the rompers idea. I don’t have any but I’ve always wanted one… just yet to find one that suits me haha.
Hahaha. I used to be the same way! I never knew what to wear or what to take! Rompers are my jam in the summer and I’m waiting for them to go on sale at Forever 21 so I can get them all. I’m so lazy I don’t wanna coordinate. Hahaha. Buy rompers online! That’s where I get mine!
Great packing list! I love the idea of the travel bra and I also always pack the Korean sample products you get in abundance hehe! So convenient!
Right? Korean sample products are my jam. You can get so many and they take up such little space. I brought some shampoo in those packets because they were so convenient.
Whoaaaa you bring so much stuff! With whom do you usually fly? Air Asia has a strict 7kg limit so i brought 2 bikinis, socks and underwear for 10 days, and like…4 shirts, 2 pairs or shorts, 1 pair of active pants, 2 dresses, and a pair of nice shoes. I wore my runners and bought flip flops at the night market. My biggest thing was a towel as I stayed in hostels half my trip!
Thanks for the bra tip! I love fair fashion and was really seeking for a green option. So this is amazing!