Genuine question, hoping a Vietnamese Australian can answer this. We just checked in with Vietnam Airlines, lots of people were checking in with lots of cardboard boxes wrapped in plastic, instead of suitcases. Why?
Vietnam Travel - What's with The Cardboard Boxes?
Yorkshire-Man on 27/12/2022 - 10:44
Last edited 27/12/2022 - 11:44 by 1 other user
Last edited 27/12/2022 - 11:44 by 1 other user
Comments
Cardboard boxes cheaper than suitcases?
My bet is that it's something along the lines of all the shipping companies that just send baby formula and the like to China - People returning to Vietnam and taking with them large boxes of whatever it is that people in Vietnam are having a hard time getting.
They buy wholesale boxes of whatever it is, wrap it in plastic so it'll be secure for transport and take it home with them.
Schapelle Corgi would say that the plastic wrap is to stop the drug sniffer dogs smelling the grass.
Other people would say it's to stop Schapelle from getting into their luggage.
Schapelle Corgi
Lol
My guess is because it’s cheaper. I’ve used a cardboard box on one or two occasions when I needed to pack stuff but didn’t want to buy a new suitcase. The bigger question is why when travelling within Indonesia do most passengers seem to carry Dunking Donuts?
Cheaper than buying a suitcase.
The boxes are probably full of gifts they plan to leave in the country, whether thats food or cheap stuff
In most cases, it's usually items that they need to ship one-way. There's no point bringing back multiple empty suitcases. There's also those blue, red and white threaded zipper bags too!
There's also those blue, red and white threaded zipper bags too!
I'm interested in these, where do you get them?
Not sure if you're taking the piss, but here they are! haha
https://www.catch.com.au/product/home-master-6pk-shopping-ba…
I've never used them myself but I see them all over asia and in the airports! They must be pretty good value (over there)!
One way luggage + a suitcase eats 3-5kg of your weight allowance
Nah, it's all about the styrofoam boxes completely covered in yellow packing tape that look like they are on their 50th trip.
My wife is Vietnamese and I asked her and she said it's because they are cheaper, they carry a lot of one way stuff. Passengers are often packed right up to the airline limit and boxes are cheaper than suitcases. Boxes also pack better than suitcases when you have 10 of them.
Thank you! This makes sense, they all seemed perfectly packed to the weight limit & expertly wrapped. These definitely werent novice Packers !
Cheaper, strong(once properly wrapped) and lightweight packaging. Especially when temporary and only needed 1 way. Also good if airlines have a total weight limit rather than an item # limit.
It’s lighter, hence you can bring more stuff. Even more significant now that you can’t buy extra baggage kg for cheap anymore.
It’s not always stuff to sell, though no doubt they make up a sizeable portion.
The amount of gifts (for immediate family, friends, relatives, family friends etc.) expected when you go visit is ridiculous depending on the culture.
I know Australians whose overseas family demand stuff like chocolate, cheese, beef, macadamia etc. in bulk (30-40kg in total each trip easy) as gifts for themselves and also for gifting others.Personal experience, we tend to bring back lots of gifts (stuff that’s hard to get in Vietnam.. fruits 🍒 high quality meat and dairy products etc). Since it’s one way and often needs to be kept cool/cold, foam boxes are best.
Thank you. Given the high cost in Australia compared to Vietnam I just didn't think many people would be taking stuff from Sydney to Vietnam goods wise. Shows my ignorance I guess. Thank you! It's my first time travelling here.
All about the weight to maximise stuff you can bring.
Probably seafood