Dental Tourism Hanoi Packing List: What to Bring (2026)

📋 Dental Records & Documents

This is the most important category. Missing any of these can delay your treatment or add unexpected costs.

• Passport — 6 months minimum validity required for Vietnam e-visa
• Vietnam e-visa printout or digital copy — apply at evisa.gov.vn at least 3-5 business days before travel
• Travel insurance documents — policy number, 24/7 emergency phone number, confirmation that dental complications are covered
• Recent dental X-rays — OPG panoramic and bitewings if available; physical film or digital copy on USB drive; within the last 6-12 months is ideal
• Current medications list — generic drug names (not brand names), dosages; critical for your treating dentist
• Existing crown/implant records — brand name, date fitted, treating dentist contact; implant brand matters for future abutment sizing
• Medical history summary — allergies (especially penicillin, NSAIDs), chronic conditions, blood thinner use (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel)
• Home dentist contact details — your Hanoi clinic may want to communicate directly about your case or share treatment records
• SmileJet clinic contact details + appointment confirmation — screenshot or printout; save offline in case of no data
• Travel insurance card — keep a physical copy in your wallet at all times

💊 Medications & Health

Vietnam has well-stocked pharmacies in every neighbourhood — many medications are cheaper and available over the counter. However, for dental-specific items and any regular prescriptions, bring from home.

• Paracetamol / ibuprofen — legal for personal use in Vietnam; bring a 2-week supply; your clinic will likely prescribe post-op pain relief but this covers the gap
• Prescribed antibiotics — only if your home dentist has recommended pre-treatment antibiotics (e.g., for joint replacement patients or certain cardiac conditions)
• Antiseptic mouthwash — a small travel bottle to last first 48 hours; buy more on arrival (Chlorhexidine is widely available in Vietnamese pharmacies at half the price)
• Saline nasal spray — helpful for dry cabin air on long flights; especially relevant if you are having sinus-related implant work
• Arnica tablets (optional) — some patients find these helpful for post-procedure bruising; not widely available in Vietnam so bring from home if you use them
• Probiotic supplements — useful during antibiotic courses; available in Vietnam but bring your preferred brand
• Regular prescription medications — minimum 3-week supply (allow for delays); carry in original pharmacy packaging with your name on the label

🦷 Dental Care Items

Most clinics in Hanoi provide a complimentary hygiene pack after treatment. But bring these for before your appointments and for your hotel room routine.

• Soft-bristle toothbrush — or ask your clinic on arrival; post-procedure you will need the softest bristles you can find
• Fluoride toothpaste — travel size for the flight; full size is available everywhere in Vietnam
• Interdental brushes — especially important if you are getting implants or bridges; bring your current size
• Travel-sized water flosser (optional) — the Waterpik Nano Travel model is small enough for carry-on; excellent for implant maintenance and post-surgery cleaning
• Dental wax — if you are getting temporary veneers or crowns, wax allows you to smooth any sharp edges yourself at the hotel
• Lip balm / Vaseline — lips can become very dry during long dental appointments when your mouth is held open; apply before appointments

👗 Clothing (Hanoi-Specific)

Hanoi has genuine seasons unlike Ho Chi Minh City. Pack for the time of year you are visiting.

• Light layers — even in summer, clinic waiting rooms can be heavily air-conditioned; bring a light cardigan or long-sleeved layer
• Comfortable walking shoes — Hanoi's Old Quarter has uneven pavements; you will walk more than expected
• One smart-casual outfit — for nicer restaurants or evening dining; Hanoi has excellent fine dining at very reasonable prices
• Rain jacket / compact umbrella — rain can arrive at any time of year; a packable rain jacket takes minimal space
• Loose comfortable clothing for appointment days — you will spend time reclined in a dental chair; avoid tight collars and anything you would not want marked
• Scarf — for temple visits and cooler October-February evenings; also useful in overly air-conditioned clinics

🔌 Tech & Electronics

• Universal travel adapter — Vietnam uses Type A (US flat two-pin) and Type C (European round two-pin); if you are from Australia or the UK, you need an adapter
• Portable charger / power bank — for long clinic days when you cannot access a power point; 10,000-20,000mAh recommended
• Phone — download Grab (Southeast Asia's Uber equivalent) before you arrive; it is essential for getting around Hanoi affordably and safely
• Laptop or tablet — if working remotely during your stay; many dental tourists work during recovery days
• Earphones / noise-cancelling headphones — for clinic waiting time, long flights, and recovery days in your hotel
• USB drive — loaded with your dental X-rays in JPEG or DICOM format; many clinics prefer digital files over physical X-ray film

💰 Money & Payments

• Visa or Mastercard debit card — works at most ATMs throughout Hanoi; Wise (formerly TransferWise) card recommended for best exchange rates
• Small amount of USD cash — some airport counters and guesthouses prefer USD; USD $100-200 is more than enough
• Notify your bank before departing — or your card may be blocked as a fraud precaution; do this 24-48 hours before flying

🧴 Toiletries: Bring vs Buy in Hanoi

General rule: only bring enough toiletries for the first 24 hours. Vietnam has excellent pharmacies and supermarkets where most items are half the price you pay at home.

• Sunscreen SPF 50+ — bring from home; high-SPF sunscreen can be difficult to find locally and is expensive when available
• Insect repellent (DEET-based) — available locally but bring if you have sensitive skin or a preferred brand
• Your preferred skincare products — Vietnamese beauty products are excellent quality but formulations differ; bring your routine if you have specific skin needs
• Contact lens solution — available in most Vietnamese pharmacies; bring enough for the first couple of days in case of jet lag shopping delays

🍱 Snacks for Recovery

You may not feel like going out immediately after a procedure. Having room snacks removes the stress of sourcing soft food when your mouth is sore.

• Instant oat sachets / porridge — easy to make in a hotel room with the kettle; soft, nutritious, filling
• Protein powder sachets (optional) — useful for recovery nutrition if you are having extensive work and may not eat normally for a few days
• Your favourite comfort snack from home — post-surgery comfort matters; a familiar treat can make a difficult day much easier