So I'm going to Thailand and Vietnam for 2 weeks and don't want to pack a suitcase. Looking for a good quality duffel bag that's reasonably priced and can handle some abuse. Also would like advice about how many litres would be reasonable for a 2 week trip. Not quite sure how much to pack.
Need a Duffel Bag for a 2 Week Trip to Thailand and Vietnam
amkamz on 20/11/2017 - 08:46
Last edited 20/11/2017 - 09:46 by 1 other user
Last edited 20/11/2017 - 09:46 by 1 other user
Comments
more like emotionally unstable. haha but seriously more just really durable.
can handle some abuse
What type of abuse are you talking about? haha
How big a bag you need depends on what you'll be doing there. If you're staying in the city the whole time, it doesn't have to be that big. Doing laundry over there is quite cheap and easy.
But if you plan on heading out for overnighters to visit the more remote areas, also bring a smaller backpack so you don't have to lug all your belongings with you everywhere you go. The weather is so humid (it's wet season now, but still quite humid) and it quickly becomes very uncomfortable to have bring everything everywhere. The hotels you stay at in the city are willing to hold your luggage if you do overnight trips (obviously, don't leave valuables in there) and plan on coming back there.
If you're going to the city areas like HCM and you don't have a backpack, you can pick up pretty high quality fakes in the markets. Believe it or not, a large number of the "fake" bags come from the same factories as the real ones (especially North Face bags that are made in Vietnam). They are about a 5th of the price of the real ones and well worth the money. As usual, bargain hard.
abuse
"You're a stupid duffle bag, you don't even have wheels. I knew I should have bought a bag pack. They have several openings and you just have one…."
Duffle bag falls to pieces
you don't even have wheels
In Thailand and Vietnam, you don't need wheels to go for a ride! haha
agreed Bến Thành market is the place to go to if you want to pickup fake luggage.
Make sure you haggle though and try to get a minimum 30 percent discount.
I'm asian and those guys at Ben Thanh can tell straight away that I'm a foreigner. As soon as I stop at their store, all they see are dollar signs (I mean, Dong signs)!
Bến Thành is a tourist trap
Yes - but if you know that going in at least you can be prepared.
If you are looking for a duffel bag I'm not sure Ben Tanh is a good idea.
I would suggest the Military Market instead - Cho Dan Sinh.
We got a decent duffel bag there - ex Korean Army IIRC.cheers. that looks cool, bookmarked :)
Why a duffel bag? Just get a back pack.
As a teenager I fell for the duffle bag, because it looks 'cool'…
No its a pain in the as's any small amount of weight in it and your shoulders will be sore after 10 minutes
This.
Don't get a duffle bag. Uncomfortable. Back pack.
Yep, OP, get something like this (not this specific one, but this style).
Easier on your shoulder and will probably stay more tidy than a duffel bag.
Yep, be like Dora
As much as I'd love the extra volume (I'm carry on only), I don't get how they do it. I see girls with giant hand and duffel bags at the airport and can't imagine placing double the weight on half the body, even though you could swap sides.
Perhaps it's necessary for international sportsmen and divers in exotic regions though. So as not to look like a package tourist.
What will you be dong with the bag? walking around a lot or just airport/taxi/room? A duffel slung over a shoulder gets annoying and painful quickly but there are options with wheels that you can drag around like a wheeled suitcase.
FWIW, my last couple of family trips to Vietnam we used a mix of wheeled suitcases, backpacks and duffel bag - nothing was a problem as they were either at the airport in a trolley, loaded in the back of a taxi or the concierge was moving them to the room. No problem at all.
Can't go wrong with Country Road. You can play spot the Australian at the airport as they all have one 😂
As you are going to vietnam and Thailand then you could get away with a carry on size. You only need shorts, tshirts , socks , jocks, a pair of lightweight comfortable shoes/sneakers, thongs. Long sleeve shirt and hat for sun protection. Toothbrush.
I did Vietnam and Cambodia for 2 weeks in April with my 3 kids and we over packed with a medium size suitcase.
Plus you can buy everything there.
Agree with Altomic, this is the best option. Spent two weeks in Japan with a carry-on bag, and picked up a duffle bag from a temple sale (like a carboot-style sale). filled that to the gills with stuff I'd stored in luggage lockers and sent to the airport with the luggage forwarding service :)
Osprey porter 46
My go to bag for travelling light and in vietnam, or anywhere really
There a many considerations into choosing the correct bag for you.
I would not recommend a duffel bag as they are a paint to carry - you could go for a duffel bag with wheels but that could be over kill for two weeks,
Invest in a bag that you could also use in the future - perhaps you may want to go for a longer trip.
Understand what it is that you would want to pack for a two week trip - take into consideration where you are going - are you going somewhere warm in Thailand -beaches etc or cold… how many pairs of shoes (this is a big one they take up so much space)? do you need to dress nice to get into some places? how fastidious are you with wearing clean clothes and how often are you willing to do laundry. Electronics.
Space for souvenirs?
Two week trip you could push carry on if you're very minimalist - 45Litres max.
Most people would probably want 55L - 75L these days though.
better to get slightly bigger for future needs, you can always compress… once you check it, it's check in.
Backpack is the preferred option for people but I opt for back pack (can be used as day bag) and a really light wheeled case.
if you really want a duffel i would suggest getting a blackwolf bladerunner or ridgerunner - yes i like blackwolf but not affiliated with the company.
I have one of these which I like because it is light, strong and packs away into a zippered storage pouch.
It is ok if you don't need to carry it far, but if your trip involves lugging it around on your shoulder for more than a few minutes it around it won't be much fun.
A carry on is plenty enough imo. I was in Vietnam earlier this month for 2 weeks, all my clothes and essentials only filled up half of my 46L backpack (Osprey Porter). The other half was for my pillow… Keep in mind I am very minimalistic and I've learnt to keep packs light since I also hike/camp. I also bought a fake north face duffle bag while I was up in Hanoi so I could fit my souvenirs.
As most people have mentioned, carrying around a heavy duffle bag is a pain, I also recommend getting a backpack.minimalistic
owns a 46L backpack and packs a pillow.
pick one.
Blow up pillow?
46L not minimalistic enough for you? My carry on was only 6kg including bag and camera. I can agree the pillow may be a bit extra, but I had 5 flights during my trip :(
I ONLY bring a 7kg (hardcase) carry-on when I travel. /w laptop and camera.
I am rarely even able to totally fill it.
@eggmaster: That's pretty good. Minimalistic was probably a bad description, perhaps light packer is a bit better? Though the main reason I try to pack light is because checked baggage is $$$.
My 2cents: go light, come back heavy. You can buy anything you need in Asia.
I do a fair bit of backpacking. Lighter is definitely better for so many reasons.
I have a 35litre Denali backpack. I paid around $80 for it on sale at Anaconda.
Holds around 7-10kgs which is the maximum cabin allowance on some flights. I don't like paying for baggage, and I don't like lugging stuff.
My last trip was 13 months… With the 35lt pack. The only problem I had was when Winter started creeping in when I was in Paris. A 2 Euro (brand new from a street market.. You can't even buy a cup of coffee for 2 Euros in Paris! ) coat (which I brought home with me) fixed that.My point is…winter=heavier gear. Hot weather = don't need much stuff, unless you don't mind lugging.
Just a suggestion… Don't take anything on your travels that you aren't prepared to lose, break or have stolen (upload the precious stuff like photos and scanned copies of documents).
Even in-room safes aren't fool-proof.
Safe, happy travels…enjoy Vietnam!
I also have a Kathmandu duffle. It’s pretty thin but seems durable.
Depends on what you are doing. My daughter and I went to Vietnam for two weeks and had a five and six kg backpack each. Held all my clothes, ghd, makeup, and various devices and batteries/chargers. We could have packed fewer clothes.
On my first trip OS in 1974 I took a duffle bag against my better judgement. It was a gift from an aunt who was going to be at the airport to say goodbye. After I'd carried it between airport and hotel in London I had had enough. I bought a luggage trolley.
If I were you I wouldn't take a duffle bag on holidays.
We (couple in 60s) went to Vietnam for 3 weeks a few months ago. Took 1 carry-on size backpack for clothes and 1 PC backpack for PC and sundry electronics.
Luggage included pop-up mosquito dome. Loaned it to friend who went to Thailand last month. She said she wouldn't have survived without it because hotels and elephant reserve accom had no screens on windows or nets on beds. I recommend you take a mosquito dome.
We are off to Europe for 5 weeks on Thu. We ARE taking one duffle bag but there is a special reason. We will pick up lease Renault at CDG. Clothes cells will be tossed in boot. Duffle bag will be folded up and put under seat.
I have had vehicles broken into 3 times in Europe, parents ditto, and suitcases stolen. Theory is that if bad guys break in they will see that cells only contain clothes, toiletries, etc and not take them. Also difficult to carry off multiple cells so this may discourage them.
Black duffle bag cost $15 at Kmart. Seems OK but it only has to survive 2 air trips and it will be wrapped in gaffer tape.
I wanted to take large $6 "Chinese bag" but my partner wanted something a bit more upmarket, if you can call a $15 Kmart bag upmarket - Ho Ho.
I got this one
https://www.anacondastores.com/camping-hiking/packs-bags/hik…
Wish it had been that cheap when I got it but certainly don't regret it. I did 4 weeks with carry-on baggage allowance only for all flights.
Has a rain cover and is comfortable, and is much lighter than my usual (good quality) travel bags)
For just two weeks, just get a canvas backpack with good zips.
Like bullets?