I've shared this list many times via email, but think it might be helpful to post it here for some adoption travelers that are getting ready to jet half-way across the world for their own sweeties! Congrats!
For what it's worth, here it is-
This is the packing list for our adoption travel of Tess and Jujube. The comments in red were made after our return. We didn't know how long we would be gone, but ultimately we were in country 11 days.
This list also looks HUGE, but in actuality, it isn't. All of this fit in 2 medium size bags, 1 small bag, one small duffel-type bag, and 2 small sling-type carry ons (that doubled as diaper bags, not pictured) There are really just a lot of little items. (the pic above also include two large suit case filled to the brim with orphanage donations-this is not included in the below list.) The pink soft-back 3ring is the mother load of paperwork that never left my person when we traveled.
I also chose to take a whole slew of over the counter medications. As expected most were not needed, but the alternative was trying to find and purchase medications packaged in a foreign language. We didn't want to risk this
And because one list is never enough, toward the end of the list there are some extra lists.
----I planned on doing some grocery shopping as soon as we arrived in VietNam to cut back on packing. So there is a grocery list for that trip to the store.
----There are also items that I used frequently, that needed to be stocked in our diaper bags prior to departing the hotel. Thinking was not my forte during these 11 days and referring to this list ensured that I never was without.
----And lastly, a list just for the return flight home.
This list will also give you a glimpse into how anal retentive I am at heart!
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Travel August/September 2008
Ho Chi Minh City then Han Oi, Viet Nam
Travel for adoption of 2 children, 12 months old, 1 boy and 1 girl.
2 adults and 12 year old daughter-We were there 11 days
Category | Qty | Item | Comment |
Baby | 6/6 | outfits | (Wear warm outfit for plane ride home) and 5-6 cool outfit--1 cute plane out fit to change babies into when we land |
Baby | 3/3 | Socks | |
Baby | 2/2 | pj’s | wear 1 on plane as an extra warm outfit for plane-dress babies in jammies (with feet or socks) for plane ride home. Good idea as it was chilly on plane home |
Baby | 1/1 | hat | didn’t need-used cover of Ergo when older VN ladies were giving me the evil eye! |
Baby | 1/1 | bathing suits | |
Baby | 1/1 | Bibs for eating | Long sleeve/light weight kind |
Baby | 1pkg | Disposable baby bowls(w/lids) & spoons | Very useful for everything, toys, eating, storage |
Baby | 1 | Wipes-diaper bag size container/filled | IF there’s room bring LOTS as the quality in VN is not good-1 pkg was plenty! |
Baby | 5/5 | GOOD diapers | For airplane home in lg zip lock-this was way too many but good to have on hand anyway |
Baby | 1 | pkg small rubber bands | To seal liners w/formula-this was a life saver as all formula was already in the baggie and premeasured when we traveled home or were on an outing. Can use even on regular bottles |
Baby | 1/1 | Baby bottles | w/ assorted “flow” nipples, incl. 2 silicone plain nipples in case baby won’t take our bottles-both babies preferred med-high flow nipples. |
Baby | 2 boxes | Single grain oat cereal baby cereal | Oat is the easiest to digest and single grain varieties are difficult to find in VN-definitely used both boxes. Cereal in VN is weird and has strange things mixed in it |
Baby | 1 | Thermometer | Didn’t need but nice to have on hand anyway |
Baby | ? | bottle liners | 8 filled for plane ride home and prefilled with formula when we go out |
Baby | 1 | Nipple brush/bottle brush combo | LOVED having this! |
Baby | 1/1 | pacifiers/leash | favorite type for plane ride home-never used, waste of luggage space! |
Baby | 4/4 | swim diapers | Check size at time of travel |
Baby | 2 | Ergo baby carrier | the single best thing I packed!!!!! |
Baby | 1 | Receiving blanket | ++ doubles as changing pad-didn’t use-waste of luggage space |
Baby | 1 | Thermos | For VERY warmed water for formula-VERY important |
Baby | 1/1 | blanket | 1 med weight blanket for hotel room and plane ride home. It can get chilly in both and babies are NOT used to cool temps. |
Baby | 1 | Nail clippers | Infant kind-used |
General | 1 | Sunglasses | in carry on |
General | 1 | Playing Cards | in carry on |
General | 1 | Lg. black trash bag | For return flight home of dirty laundry |
General | 2 | Small travel umbrellas | Didn’t use. Never had an extra hand for an umbrella anyway! |
General | 1 | Med spoon/syringe | Used it and love it! I don’t travel w/out it! |
General | 1 | Traveler’s neck wallet | |
General | 1 | ear plugs | in carry on |
General | 1 | cheap watch | wear it |
General | 1 | Inflatable pillow | in POS carry on-for plane ride |
General | 1 | Soap pads | Cut in half, 1 pkg., for dishes at hotel |
General | 1 | Wash cloth | Many VN hotels do not have –never used it. Waste of luggage space |
General | 3 | Anti bacterial hand gel | one in each person in carryon-never used it |
General | 1 | Small flashlight | |
General | 1 | Hand Held Fan | in mom’s sling bag |
General | 1 | Nursing Necklace | just wear it-one of my favorite things to appease a cranky baby while waiting for anything! |
General | 1 | Calculator/$ converter | Credit card size |
General | ? | Zip lock bags | Extras in gallon and small size for convenience and organization |
Gifts | For orphanage · Staff · Main nannies for each baby · Orphanage officials | · Barrettes sets (20 of them) · Card w/$20 each · Pen sets (2 men & 1 woman) | |
Gifts | 3 | For Justice Dept | 3 pen sets (2 men and 1 woman) |
Gifts | 4-5 | For Adoption staff | |
Meds | 1 | Acetaminophen-infant | in mama carry on-did use as both kiddos has a chest cold when we got them and seems pretty uncomfortable |
Meds | 1 | Ibuprophen-infant | Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway |
Meds | 1 | Cold medicine-infant | Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway |
Meds | 1 | All medical supplies and meds from IA doc on prescription | Including Scabies Med Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway Copy prescription for soft binder |
Meds | 2 | CHEAP footed jammies for treating scabies med for first night home. Throw away after use. | Came in VERY handy! We treated for scabies preemptively as we knew the orphanage had scabies and we were told it didn’t hurt them at all! |
Meds | 1 | Infant Benadryl | for babies for plane ride home for sleeping-be sure and test for agitation several days PRIOR to travel (1/2 dropper-1/4 t.)-did use and it work or it was just a coincidence that they both slept for the entire ride home-test ahead of time |
Meds | 1 | Aquaphore | For eczema, small container-LOVED IT and used it a lot! Babies skin dried out TONS with hotel air condtiores/heat/plane rides! A little went a long way! |
Meds | 1 | Baby Laxative | Miralax-didn’t need it but good to have anyway-1/4 t 1X per day. Takes 2-3 days to kick in. Very gentle for babies |
Meds | 1 | Calmoseptomine | OTC diaper rash med. World’s best diaper rash cream used at hospitals. Order at any pharmacy.-didn’t need but so good to have in case |
Meds | 4 | Sleeping pills | For mom on plane rides and before baby comes if needed/ in orig. prescription bottle-LOVED it! |
Meds | 1 | Tylenol | Lg bottle |
Meds | 1 | Neosporin | Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway |
Meds | 1 | Benadryl or anti-itch cream | didn’t need it as we never saw a mosquito or any bugs that bite!! |
Meds | 2 | Allergy Med | 1 full box for Papa (not available in VN)- Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway |
Meds | 2 | Cipro pkgs. (from immunization clinic) | in orig. container Didn’t use but glad to have on hand anyway |
Meds | 1 month supply | Prescription meds. | 1 month supply, leave in container |
Meds | 1 | Teething medicine | Didn’t use it |
Meds | 1 box | Pepto chewable tabs | for diarrhea- didn’t need it |
Meds | Melatonin | @ health food store and Walgreens for Jet lag- didn’t need it | |
Office | 20 | Papa's business cards | in Papa carry on (in Mama’s wallet) |
Office | 1 | Travel itinerary/binder | in soft binder, with all docs incl dossier w/updates and agency license, I171H, baby’s medical info., referral acceptance, 1040s, growth charts, milestone list for their age, insurance cards copies, passports page w/visa pages copied, power of attorney for both parents, Hotel Reservation Confirmation w/ Name & address of hotel in VN for taxi, copies of prescriptions, copy of airline tix, steno pad, contact/phone # list, credit card phone #s and copies, this list MOST IMPORTANT CARRY ON ITEM! |
Office | 3/5 | Passports | in mama’s carry on, 3 traveling to VN and 5 on return trip. MOST IMPORTANT CARRY ON ITEM! |
Office | 3/5 | Passport copies w/visa copies | one copy w/visa page in neck wallet of EACH passport, 4 traveling to VN and 6 on return trip- didn’t need but good to have |
Office | 3/5 | Airline tickets | allow 3 hr. layover min. returning through LAX to get through customs- X2, security, change terminals… In mama’s carry on, 3 traveling to VN and 5 on return trip- San Fran was VERY quick through customs coming home. About 5 min total! |
Office | 2 | Pens | In carry on (include 1 Sharpie) |
Toiletries | 1 | mosquito repellant-adult | Didn’t need-wast of luggage space |
Toiletries | 1 | mosquito repellant-baby’s | Didn’t need-wast of luggage space |
Toiletries | 1 | thermometer | Didn’t need but good to have anyway |
Toiletries | 1 | Chapstick | |
Toiletries | ? | Tampons/Pads | |
Toiletries | 1 | Small pkg Kleenex | one in each carry on, double as TP- Didn’t need as TP anyway |
Toiletries | 1 | Sunscreen for babies | Didn’t need-babies have to be covered up anyway so they didn’t get sun |
Toiletries | 1 | Sunscreen/moisturizer combo | For adults |
Toiletries | 1 | Toothbrush for each person | |
Toiletries | 2 | Toothpaste | Travel size- this small size was enough |
Toiletries | 1 | deodorant | Non-scented for all to share |
Toiletries | 1 | Fingernail file | |
Toiletries | 1 | Hairdryer | I don’t go anywhere without mine |
Toiletries | 1 | Curling Iron | |
Toiletries | 1 | headband | wear it |
Toiletries | 1 | Hair Clip | |
Toiletries | Lg. hair rubber bands | ||
Toiletries | 1 | scented lotion | To promote attachment-only 1 kind to wear daily |
Toys | 1 | stacking cups | Great toy and used for many things! |
Toys | 2 | teethers | |
Toys | 2 | Baby rattles | |
Toys | 1 | Small balls | |
Toys | 1 | links | |
Luggage | 1 | Carry on for Livy-travel back pack | She gets to pack it for herself just for her travel items |
Luggage | 2 | Carry on’s for Mama and Papa with essentials we DON’T want to check or lose (less than 15 lbs. required!)-THS needs compartment for laptop | Some things we just can afford to gamble with checking on airlines. So these 2 extra small carry-ons hold these essential items (medications, adoption docs, electronics…) |
Luggage | 3 | Suitcase | 1 for each person-(each less than 64” and 55 lbs-Eva) |
Luggage | 3 | Lg donation suitcases | To be checked! Full of donations for the orphanage |
$ | $50 | $2 dollar bills-crip if we can find them | These were very fun to use as tips and hand out! Definitely recommend |
$ | $100 per day cash | +Lots of $1,$2, $5, and $10-crip bills Must be “clean” bills $50 a day would have covered everything fine. Then add known expenses like hotel, adoption expenses... Hotel we put on credit card and also US visa fees. We came back with LOTS of money! Set aside fees for passport $100, passport expedition $300, WC gifts, medical exam $100 | |
$ | 1 | Amex credit card | in neck wallet |
$ | 1 | Visa credit card | in neck wallet |
$ | Vietnamese Dong | Ordered from bank-enough to get taxi to hotel + a little- Didn’t need any money to get to hotel from airport. Hotel arranges pickup. Although expensive, it was worth not hassling or worrying about it. | |
$ | 1 | Small thin men’s wallet | For mama’s sling bag for money |
Electronics | 1 | Digital camera in case w/ extra battery w/ battery charger | in mama’s carry on |
Electronics | 1 | IPOD w/ear buds w/power cord to attch/charge w/computer | in mama’s carry on |
Electronics | 1 | Computer w/power cord w/USB cord | in papa’s carry on |
Electronics | 1 | Plug adaptor | Universal type-British standard 3-pin is very common, so that the plugs fit in VN outlets. Most hotels will supply these at the front desk. STILL need a power converter to convert voltage-didn’t need it. Hotel had these available for us |
Electronics | 1 | Extra batteries | Only for things you can’t live without! Game boy?-Didn’t need them. Be sure they are fresh when you leave home |
Electronics | 1 | Power converter | To convert voltage for several item. Like game boy, curling iron, cell phone? camera charger? STILL need plug adaptor |
Electronics | 1 | Calculator | Credit card size w/convertor for Dong |
CDs | 2/3 | Entertainment CDs in CD sleeves | For airplane entertainment Baby Einstein X2 Movie for mama & papa X 2 or 3 TV shows?? Maybe 1 full season-Didn’t need them and wouldn’t take them again! Sleeping pills did the trick on the ride over and on the way back we were busy with baby or sleeping |
Clothing-Mom | 5 | V Neck t shirts & cami’s | 5 tops total |
Clothing-Mom | 2 | Skirts | |
Clothing-Mom | 2 | Capri’s/pants | |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Nice shirt | for G&R |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Travel outfit | Layer as I always get cold on planes. Be sure to have socks for cold feet. |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Bathing suit | |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Cover up | |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Pj’s | |
Clothing-Mom | 3 | Underwear | Wash and dry kind |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Hat | baseball cap was good for bad hair days |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Sports Bra | I don’t go anywhere without mine to sleep in |
Clothing-Mom | 1 | Shoes | Thin flipflops for hotel, and 2 pair of shoes (wear one) extra pair is just in case |
Books | 1 | Vietnam Guide Books | |
Books | 1 | “Attaching in Adoption” | Maybe take whole book with all notes |
Books | 1 | Suduko | for plane |
VN grocery list | 10/day | Diapers or pull ups | Huggies overnights suggested |
VN grocery list | 2 | Wipes | Lg. boxes-best ones I can find |
VN grocery list | 1 | Laundry detergent | Med size |
VN grocery list | 2 | Baby bottles, the cheap kind | for plane ride home, only if baby won’t take USA bottle |
VN grocery list | 2 | cans of formula | Has to be the type babies are already using in the orphanage-When you find the “right” kind that baby had at orphanage get LOTS!!!! It’s hard to find again, especially in Hanoi |
VN grocery list | 1 | Snack food for room | |
VN grocery list | Lots | Bottled H2O | |
VN grocery list | 2 | Shaving razors | One for Papa & one for Mama |
VN grocery list | 1 | Shampoo | |
VN grocery list | 1 | Conditioner | |
VN grocery list | 1 | Lotion | |
VN grocery list | New little toys for plane | Don’t let them see them till ride home-They didn’t need them, but it was good to have just in case | |
VN grocery list | 4 | Formula for home | Use this to transition to when we get home-This was a great purchase. We ended up getting 2 VERY large cans to take home |
When we leave the hotel, be sure to have…
Sling bag for Papa Sling bag for Mama In Ergo for Mama | In Papa’s sling bag · 2 Baby bottles w/drop-ins prefilled w/formula · Thermos filled with the the correct temp of water for formula · 4 extra drop-ins filled with formula · In lg zip lock 1. Sm bowl w/cereal (enough for 2) 2. Baby spoon 3. Bibs X2 · In lg zip-bag (personal items) 1. Hair rubber bands 2. Hair clip 3. Anti bac. Gel 4. Allergy med/Tylenol/chapstick · Bottle of H2O on side In Ergo (stuff for mama) · In lg zip lock 1. Diapers 2. Wipes 3. Caloseptimine · Sunglasses · Camera · Portable fan · wallet w/money-1,5,10 and specifically what needed, Minimal amount needed!) · Calculator · Water bottle on the side · In sm zip lock- 1. Extra baby clothes-onsie, gender neutral |
Neck Wallet | Passport copies Extra $ Credit Cards |
2 Ergo | 1 diaper in each |
Wear watch | |
For G&R only | · Gifts for care takers (gift bags w/barrettes) · Gifts for Orphanage directors (pen sets) · Donation items |
Before leaving hotel | Heat bottled water and fill thermos |
Before leaving hotel | Stock diaper bag |
Before leaving hotel | Change diapers |
For plane ride Home | Small baggies of food-used! Very glad to have this! |
For plane ride Home | Small NEW toys-didn’t need |
For plane ride Home | DVD’s-didn’t need |
For plane ride Home | Benadryl if it makes them tired-Used and seem to do the trick as both babies slept on the long leg of the plane ride, but we were sure to test it a couple days ahead of time as it makes some babies hyper. |
For plane ride Home | Meds-the necessary ones, acetaminophen-didn’t need but glad I had just in case |
For plane ride home | Blankies—used and it got cold on the plane. I was glad to have these on the plane |
For plane ride Home | Liners filled with formula (approx 8?)-didn’t need but glad I had just in case |
For plane ride Home | Disposable bowl filled with cereal and disposable spoon-didn’t need but glad I had just in case |
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