Backpacks

Hi everyone,

Im going to be in Vietnam for just under a month and am going on an organised tour that has suggested taking backpacks instead of suitcases.
Im after some info from others that have taken packs.
What type of Packs have people taken - hybrid or travel packs?
What capacities?
Has anyone bought a pack to use once they got to Vietnam, or can anyone provide info on how easy they are to purchase and a rough price guide.

Im just not sure whether to buy a pack seeings they arent very cheap in Australia, if i can get one cheaper over there, although i realise the quality wont be the same.

Thanks everyone.

Don't listen to them. A wheeled suitcase is much easier to use.

You will be able to get one there if you require - same quality if you select well and much cheaper.
cheers

I took an 8 day motorcycle tour in Oct 06. So depends what you are doing, but what ever you need you can buy there CHEAP. As far as quality goes most of the things that you buy at home are made in that part of the world. A lot of what you are buying comes out the "back door". Not stolden, rewards for favors.That is how business is done. Inspect what you buy, the Vietnamese do it and look at westerners as a little foolish if they do not. A small day pack is handy for shopping,water, snacks, sunscreen. If you start, finish at the same hotel most are happy to store your unused luggage. Getting landery done can be a problem, so keep that in mind when packing.

Vietnam is a great country with wonderful people all that they ask is a little respect. And please remember that 10,000 Dong is about .60 USD, let them have a little extra.

I would check around any Army/Navy store (perhaps you call it a camping or outdoor store in AU). Just don't take anything too big or too heavy. I have the same problem in the States, but I found several online outlets that sell for a fraction of the original price. One nice travel pack is call the Rick Steves Pack. Good luck.

You can buy any kind of backpack here in Vietnam for a fraction of the price. Good, medium sized and REAL north face backpacks for under $20.

i went twice with the bookbag i used in college. worked perfectly with room to spare. but i have to wash my t-shirts and underwear(if i wear it) frequently.

Alot of tour companies will refuse boarding with a suitcase, you can pick up cheap ones off ebay I went to a place in Melbourne and bought a Black Wolf brand which is mid range and fine and usually you can bargan the price. Have taken a cheap one to SEA before and just a hassle carrying it as the back supports were crap. Just take the bare essentials as if you need anything once you are over there its cheap as anyway.

I've bought backpacks in Saigon and Phnom Penh and in both cases, the quality was good. Price ~$30USD for 70l & $20 for 35l. There were shoddy goods available, but good quality as well.

On the last trip (4 weeks 12/2006), I carried a backpack and I pulled my wife's wheeled suitcase (Where's the Justice!) and really, both pretty nice - it's not like many backpackers in SE Asia are walking more than a mile with their stuff, anyway.

Budget travel basics for Southeast Asia
Asia 2005, 2006/2007
Asia photos 2005, 2006-2007

CK

These days I use a soft cabin bag, which converts to either a travel pack, shoulder bag, or hand held suitcase. It cost only $30 in Adelaide and has been on many trips to Vietnam, and even to China. I find it more convenient that a suitcase with wheels. You won't need a lot of luggage.

same quality if you select well and much cheaper
They are cheap knockoffs. The quality is not the same as a real version.

Good, medium sized and REAL north face backpacks for under $20.

Unless they were stolen out of the factory, they are not real TNF packs.

I'm with you there, #11. Last time I checked the price of a pair of Nike shoes in Saigon, it was very much the same as in the U.S..

I'd love to hear if anybody can tell me where exactly you can get those "cheap knockoffs". Although many things are made in VN & then shipped out to other countries, but that doesn't mean that you will find great deals there.

We arrived in Hanoi with backpacks, and bought a smallish, hard-sided rolling suitcase from one of the shops near the water puppet theatre to carry around our touristy souvenir tat and gifts. We got it for maybe a bit more than 20 bucks. It survived the trip fine, but we didn't take a bus tour, so we don't know what they allow.

I agree that those bags you see with North Face tags are probably not real. The Vietnamese have a healthy disrespect for brand ownership and are clever enough to have figured out what makes people think something is authentic. Still, though, tug at the zippers, test the straps, and if you're satisfied, what's the big deal?

In conclusion: organized tour. Wheeled hard shelled suitcase...Samsonite. Buy a fake daypack locally.