“Dressing for Dream Destinations” is a travel series that takes us across the world to daydream about what we’d wear to various locations. (For more, see our past posts on Australia, Russia, India, Morocco, South Korea, Spain, China, Greece, Japan, the UK, Cuba, Iceland, Turkey, Thailand, and Italy.)

Vietnam is a Southeast Asian country known for its beaches, temples, and amazing food. The country is narrow and a large portion of it consists of the coastline.

Most of the population is Buddhist, and you will find countless shrines and religious temples all across the country. In fact, Vietnam currently has 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Fun fact: Vietnam is the world’s second largest exporter of coffee after Brazil!

Table of Contents

What to Wear in Vietnam: Hanoi

Hanoi is Vietnam’s capital and is surrounded with many cultural and architectural holdovers from French occupation and Chinese influence. Its name means “city within rivers.”

Spend your time in Hanoi strolling along its beautiful waters and its various pagodas and temples. The oldest church in Hanoi, St. Joseph’s Cathedral, is a Gothic Revival built to resemble the Notre-Dame in Paris.

Fun fact: homes in Hanoi are very narrow because property taxes are based on the width of the building!

Vietnam is known for its humidity and hot summers, so you can’t go wrong with packing a linen sundress to keep cool. Accessorize with comfy sandals and sunglasses.

Products: Dress – Nordstrom, Sandals – DSW, Bag – Urban Outfitters, Sunglasses – Nordstrom Rack

What to Wear in Vietnam: Ho Chi Minh City

Ho Chi Minh City (also known as Saigon) is the most populous city in Vietnam and its economic center. There is no shortage of exciting restaurants and nightlife in this large city – it’s a modern take on Vietnam.