Hundreds of thousands of travelers flock to Southeast Asia each year to experience its wonders. Vietnam – the land of turquoise waters, magnificent islands, great food, affordable prices, and remarkable history – is one of the top destinations in the region. But, just like in any country you visit, packing the essentials is a must for you to enjoy your travel in this fascinating country. If you’re a contact lens user, however, you need to pack a little extra, considering many factors on your visit. To help you out, here is some valuable information you need to know about the country. and the things you need to pack for a Vietnam trip.
The Best Time of The Year To Travel to Vietnam
Vietnam is a pretty good destination to travel to all year round, and is home to many stunning tourist destinations. Make sure to bring colored contact lenses matching your eye color to exude the best look when you capture memorable photos of the trip.
Keep in mind that going to the country from December to February is generally the best time to visit Vietnam. Another thing to note is that weather patterns vary between the central, northern, and southern parts of the country. Meanwhile, the monsoon season generally lands between April to October. March to April are the hottest months with the temperature rising, but monsoons are yet to break the humidity.
Be mindful, however, that even in the dry season, there is rain in Vietnam. Throughout the year, Vietnam is humid and warm, and during the monsoon season, really rainy. Aside from your contact lens essentials, rain gear is also a must, along with an umbrella, hat, and travel towels. Here is what you can expect when traveling in the different regions of the country.
Northern Vietnam
Top Attractions/Destinations: Ha Long Bay, Sapa, Hanoi
The winter season is from November to April. Between January and March, the temperatures are usually at 20°C/70°F. The summer season runs from May to October, while the wettest months of the region are from July to September.
Central Vietnam
Top Attractions/Destinations: Hue, Hoi An
Typhoon risks usually hit from October to November, making it the wettest months in the region. It is best to visit from January to July when it is hot and dry, with temperatures normally sitting at 30°C/90°F.
South Vietnam
Top Attractions/Destinations: Ho Chi Minh City, Mekong Delta
South Vietnam’s season generally flips into two types: the wet and dry seasons. The rainy season is generally from May to November, with July and August being the wettest months. The dry season is from November to April. The temperature typically sits at 30°C/90°F.
What You Should Pack For A Vietnam Trip As A Contact Lens User
With that information, you can now plan well when to visit the top attractions in the country. However, as you know, packing is a critical step of any trip. But we won’t go to the essentials anymore as you’ve already mastered that on your previous trip. Let’s go straight to the things you need to pack as a contact lens user for your trip to Vietnam.
1. Contact Lens Solutions
Vietnam has its own share of dry seasons, making lens wear pretty uncomfortable due to the humid weather. It’s better to keep your eyes hydrated at most times to keep them fresh. Remember to bring as much solution as you think you’ll need. It’s always better to have something extra. Make sure, however, to declare it as some airports require you to do so. Often, you have more than 3oz as a maximum allowance for liquids.
2. Always Bring Extra Contact Lenses
If you’re an adventure junkie, trekking is one of the activities you can enjoy in Vietnam. With all those thrills, it is best to have spare lenses in your luggage should anything happen to your initial pair. If you’d like, you can also bring colored contact lenses matching your eye color, to get that perfect look for your Instagram photo when you’ve finally reached the top.
3. Bring Your Eyeglasses
You’ll be traveling in Vietnam, even overnight if you decide to board their trains. With that, it is better to keep your glasses with you for long hours of travel to rest your eyes. Moreover, there can be unfamiliar allergens in the country that may irritate your eyes. Never put your contacts in when your eyes are irritated; it’s always a good thing to have your glasses as your backup.
4. Keep Your Prescription with You
You’ll never know when a mishap can happen, such as losing your only pair or even the spare ones during the trip. With that, it’s always best to have your prescription and doctor’s information with you if ever you need to get new lenses in Vietnam. Of course, you’ll never want this to happen to devote extra caution with your belongings while traveling the country.
5. Bring A Sealed Zip-lock Bag for Your Contact Lens Kit
Rain can occur any day in Vietnam, even in the dry season, and there are months when the season can be extremely wet. When going out, make sure to seal your contact lens kit in a zip-lock bag, just for added protection. Rain contains harmful bacteria that can irritate your eyes so you’ll never want it contaminating your lenses.
Wrapping Up
Vietnam is one of the best countries you should visit first in Southeast Asia. As a contact lens, however, make sure to devote extra time to packing your eye care essentials. Once you do, expect to have a great time in Vietnam and enjoy the amazing food, affordable prices, great seasons, and picturesque views that the country has to offer.