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What to pack for a Vietnam dental trip — the Kiwi checklist
Practical packing list for New Zealand patients travelling to Picasso Dental Clinic in Vietnam. Medication, documents, soft food, recovery items, and what not to bring.
New Zealand patients travelling for Picasso dental treatment should pack their existing dental records, prescribed medications with a GP letter, a soft-bristle toothbrush, travel-friendly soft-food options for the first 3 to 5 days, and the printed copy of their written NZD quote — climate and clothing depend on the season and whether you are in Hanoi (cool winters) or Da Nang and HCMC (warm year-round).
We get the packing question every week from patients planning their first Picasso trip. This is the practical list — built from the post-treatment surveys of New Zealand patients who actually travelled.
The list assumes you have already had your initial email consultation and a written NZD quote. If not, start there: request a free NZD quote before booking flights.
Documents — pack these first
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Passport with 6+ months validity | Required for entry |
| New Zealand e-visa or visa on arrival paperwork | See visa for Kiwis |
| Printed copy of your Picasso written NZD quote | For your own reference and any insurance claim |
| Travel insurance policy with dental cover | See travel insurance dental |
| GP medical fitness letter | If you have any condition Picasso has asked us to flag — see GP letter guide |
| Most recent panoramic X-ray (OPG) | Saves time on arrival; we may re-take but bring the original |
| Any CBCT 3D scan files | On a USB or shared via cloud link |
| List of current medications and allergies | With dosages |
| Emergency contact details for your NZ dentist | We may need to send your records to them |
| Hotel booking confirmation | Most clinics will ask where you are staying |
| Return flight itinerary | Useful for the clinic to schedule final reviews |
Dental and oral care items
The clinic will provide all post-treatment items — irrigation syringes, mouthwash, gauze, soft-food guidance. You do not need to pack a hospital-grade kit. Bring only:
- A soft-bristle manual toothbrush. Electric brushes are fine but may not be used for 7-14 days after extractions or implant surgery.
- Existing dental floss or interdental brushes you are used to. We may give you a new pattern for after treatment.
- Any night-guard you currently wear. Bring it even if you do not think you will need it.
- A small mirror if you want to inspect temporary work in your hotel room.
Medications
Always travel with prescribed medications in the original pharmacy packaging. Carry a GP letter naming each medication and the daily dose, especially for:
- Blood-thinning medications (warfarin, apixaban, clopidogrel) — these have specific surgical handling that we need documented before treatment.
- Diabetes medications including insulin.
- Immunosuppressants of any kind.
- Bisphosphonates (osteoporosis medications) — these significantly affect implant treatment planning.
Pack a small supply of ibuprofen and paracetamol for post-treatment comfort. Do not bring strong opioid painkillers — Vietnam customs requires specific paperwork for those, and any prescribed pain medication you need after treatment will be provided by the clinic.
Do bring:
- Hand sanitiser (one small bottle).
- Saline nasal spray if you have had or will have a sinus lift — the cabin pressure descent on the flight home can be uncomfortable.
- Lip balm — cabin air and post-treatment mouth-breathing can dry lips.
Soft food and snacks for the first 3-5 days
Most Vietnamese hotels and restaurants accommodate soft-food requests well. We give every patient a soft-food eating guide on arrival. To make the first 48 hours easier, consider bringing:
- A few packets of meal-replacement powder (Huel, Pure Sports Nutrition, Aussie Bodies — any brand you tolerate at home).
- A reusable straw if you prefer drinking smoothies through one.
- A travel-friendly protein bar selection (soft bars only — no nuts, no hard ingredients).
Local soft-food options that work well after dental treatment:
- Vietnamese chicken pho (broth-heavy, soft noodles).
- Congee (cháo) — rice porridge available at every hotel breakfast.
- Yoghurt with fresh banana or mango.
- Tofu dishes.
- Steamed egg custard (a Vietnamese breakfast staple).
Clothing — by branch
Hanoi (Old Quarter, Westlake Square)
Subtropical climate with a real winter.
- December to February: 12-18 degrees, occasionally cooler. Pack layers — light merino, a warm jacket, scarf.
- March to May: 20-28 degrees, increasing humidity. Light long sleeves and breathable fabric.
- June to September: 28-35 degrees, very humid, occasional heavy rain. Lightweight cotton or linen, raincoat or compact umbrella.
- October to November: 22-28 degrees, more comfortable. Light layers.
Da Nang (Hoàng Diệu, Vinmec)
Warm year-round.
- Year-round daytime 24-32 degrees, cooler evenings December to February.
- Wet season October to December — pack a raincoat or umbrella.
- Bring lightweight breathable clothing, swimwear for beach time, light cardigan for air-conditioned restaurants.
Ho Chi Minh City (Thảo Điền)
Warm year-round.
- Year-round daytime 26-34 degrees with high humidity.
- Wet season May to November with short heavy afternoon rain.
- Lightweight breathable clothing, raincoat or umbrella, light cardigan for air-conditioned offices and restaurants.
Da Lat (Link General Hospital)
Mountain climate — cooler than the rest of Vietnam.
- Year-round daytime 17-24 degrees, evenings can drop below 10 degrees in winter.
- Pack layers regardless of season. A warm jacket is genuinely useful.
What not to bring
- Strong opioid painkillers without paperwork (customs issue).
- Electronic toothbrushes if you have not used one for at least 6 months (the unfamiliar pressure can damage temporary work).
- Hard or chewy snacks (nuts, jerky, hard lollies) for the first week post-treatment.
- New shoes you have not worn in. Da Nang and HCMC humidity makes blisters worse.
Pre-trip checklist — 7 days out
- Confirm written Picasso quote is still in 30-day validity window.
- Confirm travel insurance dental cover.
- Confirm GP letter if required.
- Confirm hotel booking is walkable or short taxi from clinic.
- Print all documents and email a backup copy to yourself.
- Send Picasso your arrival time by email at [email protected] so we can have your file ready.
- Pack soft food and meds first; clothing last.
See also
- How it works — full step-by-step process from first quote to final fit.
- Visa for Kiwis — current Vietnam entry requirements.
- Flights to Vietnam — route options and timing.
- Recovery-friendly stays — accommodation recommendations near each clinic.
- Food after dental surgery — what to eat in Vietnam after treatment.
About this page
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Emily Nguyen
Founding Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic
DDS · Founder and Clinical Director, Picasso Dental Clinic group
Clinical focus: Cosmetic dentistry · Veneers · Smile design
Dr. Emily Nguyen founded Picasso Dental Clinic in 2013 (originally Serenity International Dental Clinic) and led its 2023 rebrand. She sets clinical standards across the group's six branches in Hanoi, Da Nang, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Lat, and personally reviews cosmetic protocols including the Portrait Sitting workflow for veneers and smile makeovers.
Frequently asked questions
What dental records should I bring?
Bring your most recent panoramic X-ray (OPG) and any CBCT 3D scan if you have had one. Bring your written treatment plan from any New Zealand consultation. Bring a list of your current medications and any allergies. We can take new scans on arrival if needed.
What medications should I pack?
Bring any prescribed daily medications in the original packaging with a GP letter explaining what each one is for. Bring a small supply of ibuprofen and paracetamol for post-treatment comfort. Do not bring strong opioid painkillers — Vietnam customs requires specific paperwork for those.
What food should I plan for the first 3-5 days?
Soft food. Smoothies, soup, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, mashed potato, and well-cooked rice or noodles are good options. Most Vietnamese hotels and restaurants can accommodate post-dental dietary requests when asked. Pack a small reusable straw if you prefer.
What is the weather like in Hanoi vs Da Nang vs HCMC?
Hanoi has cool winters (December to February, 12-18 degrees) and hot humid summers. Da Nang and HCMC are warm year-round (24-32 degrees). Da Nang has a wet season October to December. Pack layers for Hanoi and lightweight breathable clothing for the central and southern branches.