File under “better late than never.”  Was clearing out files on my hard drive and found this shopping list/blog post from, ahem, early 2011.  Never fleshed it out completely, but despite the sentence fragments, hope this list is helpful for anyone planning a trip to SE Asia.

Wrist wallet – http://www.rei.com/product/773712

For daily cash, ID, credit card and passport photocopy. Don’t have to worry about fumbling around with all your money, or showing large bills, and it’s very difficult for someone to snatch it away from you.  Bonus from my experience – you may look like you have a wrist injury and people will take pity on you.

Face mask-http://www.amazon.com/3M-R9211-10-Cool-Flow-Particulate-Respirator/dp/B000MPLVVA/ref=pd_sim_hpc_17

or

http://www.amazon.com/Protex-Respirator-business-medical-personal/dp/B00283POA8/ref=pd_sbs_hpc_36

Masks aren’t necessary for illness, but useful if you are going to Thailand or Cambodia as transportation is open-air.  I used the masks from the first link, and liked them.  The vent on the front helps keep you cool in the summer months.   If you plan on exercising outdoors in Vietnam, given the environmental pollution, you may want to consider wearing these regularly.

Packable shopping bag – http://www.rei.com/product/814150

Plastic bags given out in shops and markets are small and low-quality, so these light bags are a good backup for your haul from the markets.

Flip-flop shoes – when it rains, the streets flood.  Quickly changing into flip flops will keep your regular, good shoes from getting water logged.

Umbrella – for rain or sun.  A must if you are going to Angkor Wat as there is little shade there.

Tissues – Vietnamese restaurants do not provide napkins.  They all have wet naps, which you have to pay extra for, but who likes to wipe their face with wet naps?  Gross.

Spork – http://www.rei.com/product/805196 Seems silly, but you’ll be happy to have it after buying fresh exotic fruit at the market.

Day bag/purse – http://www.rei.com/product/749784 http://www.rei.com/product/735777

http://www.rei.com/product/735779

http://www.rei.com/product/747932

http://www.rei.com/product/747931

(good examples of secure bags)

• strap that crosses over your body (to prevent theft).
• Strap should be adjustable so you can keep it as close to you as possible.  When walking, keep bag on side that is away from traffic to avoid drive-by bag snatching.
• Bags should close completely with zipper or buttons (no open top bags- except for extra shopping bags)

Neck/waist/leg wallet – http://www.rei.com/product/747922

http://www.rei.com/product/617989

http://www.rei.com/product/733910

To hide passport, $ reserves. Please, in the name of all that is holy – NO FANNY PACKS

Power adapters and converters: to recharge your camera, computer, etc.

http://www.thinkgeek.com/clearance/on-sale/9751/

*I haven’t used this particular product, but looks good.  Most common outlets are for two round prongs or two flat prongs with a third grounding prong.

Anything that produces heat (hair dryer, etc) will draw more amps and requires a voltage converter (in addition to the outlet adapter).

If you use a mac computer, the power supply will support the voltage, and you don’t need a converter, just an adapter.  Mac stores sell a world travel kit with interchangeable prongs.

http://store.apple.com/us/product/MB974ZM/B

Strong bug repellent (with Deet) – Off! Sells a product called “deep woods” (or something like that), and it is available in individual use wetnaps.  Bring enough to apply twice a day, everyday to avoid malaria (instruction from my doctor).

Sunblock – I like the waterproof stick/solid sunblock made my Neutrogena.  Won’t leak in your bag and easy to reapply on the road.  Your hands won’t get messy.

Inflatable neck pillow – I have this one: http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=8386&itemType=PRODUCT&sortBy=0&referring_url=CMSHP001&cm_mmc=Comparison%20Shopping-_-Googlebase-_-Travel%20Gear%20%3E%20Comfort-_-9551&CAWELAID=198821657 It’s the best I’ve tried.

But this one is similar: http://www.magellans.com/store/In_Flight_Comfort___Pillows_and_BlanketsIF383?Args=

Plastic door stop – for extra hotel security.  Use on the inside of the door before you go to bed.

Travel towel – was good in Cambodia, but most hostels/hotels provide towels.   http://www.travelsmith.com/jump.jsp?itemID=1745&itemType=PRODUCT&path=1%2C2%2C252%2C333&iProductID=1745&sortBy=0

Travel packets of laundry soap – Tide makes packets especially for washing in a sink.  Find them in the travel section of CVS.

General tips:

*Bottle water is very cheap, so no need to buy a purifier.  Ice in Vietnam is safe.

*Avoid raw veggies until you have adapted to the local flora (a few weeks should do it.  Shorter trip?  Just avoid).  Consume local yogurt to help with this process.

*Clothes – business dress for meetings, dressy for evening and/or brunches, casual is ok for daily wear (best if you don’t look like a backpacker, though – will avoid unwanted attention), swimsuit.  Dress conservatively for trips to religious sites, or at least bring a large scarf to cover shoulders and/or head.

*Plane rides: earplugs, nasal decongestant, small pack of baby wipes, snacks (in case you sleep through meals), sleep mask, slippers/socks.

*Set up Skype (load $ for calling landlines in the US, and set to automatic re-load when empty – good to have in case of emergency, and you don’t want to enter your credit card info over unsecured networks should you need to add Skype credits).

*Set up Google Public DNS so you can use Facebook (which is blocked in Vietnam).  http://code.google.com/speed/public-dns/docs/using.html

*Bring small USD bills for Cambodia.  Almost everyone prefers transacting in this currency, but most won’t make change for large bills.