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Documents and Admin (Carry-On Only)

Never put these in checked luggage. If your bag gets lost, this is the category that cannot be replaced on the ground.

• Passport — valid for at least 6 months beyond your travel dates
• Visa confirmation — Vietnam offers an e-visa for most nationalities; confirm your eligibility and apply before departure
• Travel insurance policy — the document itself, not just the app. Know the emergency number. If you haven’t arranged medical travel insurance yet, World Nomads and Allianz Travel both offer policies that cover elective surgery abroad — check the fine print carefully
• Surgical booking confirmation — your clinic’s name, address, and contact in Vietnamese text (ask your clinic or coordinator to send this to you)
• Pre-op instructions from your surgeon, in hard copy
• Post-op instructions — often not given until surgery day; request them in advance so you’re not reading them for the first time while groggy
• Blood test results if completed at home and being brought for the clinic
• Medical records — any prior surgeries, allergies, current medications
• Medication list — what you take, dosage, generic names (not just brand names)
• Emergency contacts list — printed. Surgeon’s after-hours line, local contact, person at home

Pro tip: Photograph every document and store copies in a cloud folder you can access offline. Google Drive or iCloud with offline sync works well.

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Clothing: Less Is More, Front-Opening Is Everything

Universal rules:

• Nothing that goes over your head if you’re having any facial or breast procedure
• Loose fits only — no waistbands, no tight sleeves
• Fabrics that don’t irritate: soft cotton, modal, bamboo
• Dark colors for the first week (bruising, drainage, and general messiness)

What to pack (for 1-2 weeks travel):

• 5–7 sets of loose, front-opening pajamas or a button-front robe — you’ll live in these
• Button-front or zip-front tops (3–4)
• Loose drawstring pants or joggers (3–4)
• Loose slip-on shoes or slides — no laces (bending down post-abdominal procedure is not happening)
• Light cardigan or zip-up for clinic appointments and air-conditioned spaces (Vietnamese hospitals and clinics are often aggressively air-conditioned)
• One slightly presentable outfit for days 7+ when you start moving around more. Don’t go crazy.

What to leave home:

• Anything that requires effort to put on
• Anything tight around the waist, chest, or face
• High heels, anything formal
• New or stiff clothing (wear-washed only)

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Recovery Supplies: Procedure-Specific

All Procedures

• Arnica gel (topical) — reduces bruising; apply post-clearance from surgeon. Arnica has reasonable evidence behind it for post-surgical bruising when used topically
• Arnica tablets or bromelain supplement — discuss with surgeon whether to start pre-op
• Saline wound rinse — for wound cleaning post-op
• Gauze pads and medical tape
• Alcohol-free antibacterial wipes
• Small basin for soaking/bathing if needed
• Thermometer — a fever spike is worth knowing about immediately. A reading above 38.5°C (101.3°F) post-surgery warrants a call to your surgeon
• Basic first aid kit: sterile dressings, medical tape, antiseptic cream

Rhinoplasty

• Saline nasal spray (preservative-free) — your surgeon will specify; buy before you go
• Drip pads (small adhesive pads for under-nose drainage) — usually provided but bring extras
• Travel pillow (neck pillow) for sleeping elevated — sleeping at 30–45 degrees is standard post-rhinoplasty
• Button-front clothing only — absolutely nothing over the head for the first 3–4 weeks

Breast Augmentation / Chest Procedures

• Front-clasping soft bra or surgical bra — confirm your surgeon’s exact specifications before purchasing
• Button or zip-front tops only
• Sleeping wedge or extra pillows to stay elevated (reduces swelling and improves comfort)
• No underwire for weeks post-op — your surgeon will specify the exact timeline

Liposuction / Body Contouring / Tummy Tuck

• Compression garments — confirm with your surgeon whether the clinic provides these or whether you bring your own. If bringing, confirm sizing — post-procedure measurements differ from pre-procedure
• Loose, high-waisted loose bottoms for non-garment periods
• Lymphatic drainage massage is strongly recommended post-liposuction — your concierge or clinic can recommend a local provider in Ho Chi Minh City

Hair Transplant

• Nothing tight on the head (no hats for several days — surgeon will advise the exact window)
• Travel pillow that allows you to sleep upright or at a specific angle without pressure on the recipient area
• Gentle, pH-balanced shampoo — your surgeon will specify brand or type
• Spray bottle for misting the scalp as directed (critical in the first 72 hours to keep grafts hydrated)

Dental Procedures

• Soft foods list pre-confirmed before you arrive
• Sensitivity toothpaste (pack the brand you trust)
• Soft-bristled toothbrush
• Dental wax for any temporary crowns or sharp edges
• Avoid very hot or cold liquids immediately post-procedure; lukewarm is safest

Eye Procedures (Blepharoplasty)

• Sunglasses — large-framed, UV-protective. The sun in Southeast Asia is not forgiving on healing eyes
• Eye drops as specified by your surgeon
• No screens for 24–48 hours — plan audiobooks, podcasts, downloaded audio content in advance. This is non-negotiable
• Cold compress materials — gel eye mask or washcloth kept in the mini-fridge

Gender-Affirming Surgery

• Specific post-op supplies as detailed by your surgical team (dilation kit, etc.)
• Loose, non-restrictive lower-body clothing
• Compression garment per surgeon’s specification
• Extended supply of any hormone medications you’re currently taking — bring more than enough plus prescription copies

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Medications: What to Bring From Home

Your surgeon will prescribe post-operative medications in Vietnam — antibiotics, pain management, anti-inflammatories. These are generally easy to source at Vietnamese pharmacies (Hiệu thuốc) at very low cost.

Bring from home:

• Any chronic medications you’re currently taking — bring more than your expected trip length, plus prescription copies
• Any over-the-counter medications you rely on that may be hard to identify in Vietnamese
• Antihistamines — for allergic reactions to medications or the environment
• Antinausea medication (OTC) — post-anesthesia nausea is common; having something on hand the first 24 hours matters
• Basic pain relief (paracetamol/acetaminophen) — for the early post-op period before Vietnamese prescriptions are filled
• Probiotics — antibiotic courses post-surgery disrupt gut flora; a good probiotic supplement helps. Research supports their use during and after antibiotic courses

Do not take without surgical clearance:

• Aspirin or NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen) — blood-thinning effect; stop 2 weeks pre-surgery
• Vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, fish oil — same concern
• Blood thinners of any kind — confirm the full list with your surgeon, as some supplements are not obviously blood-thinning

Useful to have:

• Stool softeners — post-surgical constipation from opioid pain medications is common and uncomfortable. Pack these proactively
• Electrolyte sachets — hydration support during recovery; oral rehydration salts are widely available in Vietnam but having a familiar brand helps
• Melatonin — jet lag plus surgery recovery is a real combination. Low-dose melatonin (0.5–1mg) can help normalize sleep without heavy sedation

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Technology and Entertainment

Post-op recovery involves a significant amount of time in bed. Prepare for this deliberately, not as an afterthought.

• Phone charger + universal adapter — Vietnam uses Type A/B/C outlets; US two-prong plugs generally work without an adapter, but a universal adapter is worth packing for other plug types
• Portable power bank — for when you can’t comfortably reach an outlet from bed. A 20,000mAh bank covers multiple days of device charging
• Earphones/headphones — essential. Noise sensitivity is real post-surgery; controlling your audio environment matters
• Downloaded content — movies, shows, audiobooks, podcasts. Assume patchy wifi at some point and plan accordingly. Libby (free library audiobooks) and Audible are worth loading before you fly
• Bluetooth speaker — for when you don’t want earphones pressed against your head
• Tablet or e-reader — much easier than a laptop when reclining for hours

Note: No screens for 24–48 hours after eye procedures. Download audio-only content specifically for this window

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Practical Vietnam Items

• Local SIM card — get at the airport on arrival. Vietnam has excellent mobile coverage and data is very cheap. Viettel and Vietnamobile both offer affordable tourist SIMs. The Grab app for taxis and food delivery will be essential during recovery — download it before you land
• Cash (Vietnamese Dong) — small amounts for pharmacies, food vendors, and situations where card isn’t available. Airport ATMs (Vietcombank and Techcombank are reliable) dispense VND; bring some USD for airport arrival as a backup
• Small backpack or tote — for clinic appointments. Easy to manage post-op; a full shoulder bag creates unnecessary strain
• Reusable water bottle — hydration is critical to recovery. Having water always within reach matters, especially in Vietnam’s heat
• Face mask — Ho Chi Minh City has significant motorbike traffic; useful for outdoor walks during recovery and for clinic visits

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Comfort Items People Forget

These seem small. Post-op, they’re not.

• Extra pillows — your accommodation may not have enough. A U-shaped travel pillow is versatile across multiple procedures and positions
• Eye mask — deep sleep matters. Light from windows or hallways disrupts it more than usual when you’re in recovery
• White noise app or small fan — street noise in HCMC is real; a white noise baseline helps. Calm and Brain.fm both have sleep-specific audio
• Lip balm — anesthesia and climate-controlled environments dry out lips badly
• Hand lotion — same issue, compounded by repeated hand-washing post-op
• Mints or hard candy — anesthesia leaves a metallic taste that can persist for hours; having something to clear your palate helps
• Small notebook — for writing down questions for follow-up appointments when you think of them at 2am. Your phone works too, but a notebook requires less effort

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What to Leave Behind

Absolutely don’t bring:

• Blood-thinning medications (confirm full list with your surgeon)
• Supplements you haven’t cleared with your surgeon (vitamin E, high-dose omega-3, garlic supplements)
• Expensive jewelry or valuables you’ll be anxious about

Leave at home or in hotel:

• Most of your wardrobe — you won’t wear it week one. Most likely, you won’t want to wear much at all.
• High heels and formal wear. No.
• Alcohol (counterproductive to recovery and interacts with medications). 🙅‍♀️.

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A Note on Checked vs. Carry-On

Carry-on:

• Everything on the documents list
• All medications
• Essential recovery supplies (first few days’ worth)
• Phone, charger, power bank
• Change of clothes for the flight

Checked:

• Bulk recovery supplies
• Clothing
• Non-essential items

The rule: if losing it would create a genuine problem for your surgery or immediate recovery, it goes in the carry-on.

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The Return Flight Pack

Before you leave Vietnam, pack your carry-on specifically for the return journey:

• All medications and post-op supplies within easy reach
• Compression garments on (or accessible) per your surgeon’s flying instructions — cabin pressure affects swelling
• Travel pillow positioned correctly for your procedure
• Post-op documentation — a medical summary from your surgeon for home-country follow-up
• Customs: prescription medications should have documentation. Legitimate medical supplies cause no issues, but keep paperwork accessible to avoid delays

For longer-haul flights (12+ hours), discuss with your surgeon whether additional precautions for DVT risk are warranted, particularly after body contouring or lower-limb procedures.

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East Bridge Care helps international patients in Vietnam sort the logistics of surgery abroad — including accommodation, nursing, meals, and local support.

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