Long lists can create anxiety. Check your hospital's policy first, then pack for the first 24 hours.
Key takeaways
- 01
Ask what the hospital already provides.
- 02
Separate parent and baby items into small pouches.
- 03
Keep documents in the easiest pocket.
1. Call the hospital before buying more
Public and private hospitals in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City may provide different supplies. Rules for companions, postpartum rooms, deposits, and length of stay also vary. The hospital's own list matters more than any online shopping list.
- Which clothes, nappies, or hygiene items are provided?
- Which entrance or department handles labor admission?
- Can a companion stay?
- Are there separate instructions for a planned caesarean?
2. Divide everything into two bags
Bag A holds documents and first-day items for parent and baby. Put documents in the easiest pocket, separate parent and baby items into small pouches, and photograph the layout so a companion can find things too.
- Bag A: always travels with the patient
- Bag B: later-day supplies, clearly labelled
- One empty bag for laundry
3. The document pocket
Hanoi Obstetrics Hospital currently asks admitted patients for a patient code, recent ultrasound, ID/VNeID, and electronic health insurance. It is a useful reminder to confirm the exact list with your own hospital.
- ID/VNeID and BHYT/VssID as instructed
- Patient code, birth record, and recent results
- Private insurance, appointment, or admission order
- Backup payment and important phone numbers
4. For the parent: comfortable and usable
Choose loose, light clothing that opens easily and suits the season. Ho Chi Minh City is hot and humid; Hanoi has a colder season, while air-conditioned rooms in both cities can feel cool. Pack light layers rather than one bulky item.
- Current medicines in original packaging
- Underwear, postpartum pads, and non-slip slippers
- Basic toiletries, water bottle, and permitted snacks
- Phone, long charging cable, or power bank
5. For baby: start with a small amount
Bring two or three easy outfits, one going-home set, a small nappy pack, and a few cotton or muslin cloths. Reduce this if the hospital supplies clothes and nappies. Keep pillows, soft toys, and thick loose blankets out of baby's sleep space.
- Small quantities of nappies and wipes to test fit
- Hat or wrap only for weather and clinical guidance
- A separate laundry bag
6. Companion duties and the trip home
The companion should own documents, communication, payment, and collection of Bag B. Plan a route for rain or congestion. If travelling home by car or taxi, plan safe newborn transport before birth and ask the hospital for local guidance.
- ID, phone, charger, and personal medicines
- Keys, payment, and call list
- One change of clothes, water, and a snack
Practical checklist
- Called the hospital and noted what it provides
- ID, insurance, and birth records
- Parent and baby supplies for the first 24 hours
- Medicines, phone, charger, and payment
- Bag B is labelled
- Companion knows the entrance and where items are
- A safe plan for going home is ready
How NIMO built this guide
NIMO writes and localizes each guide for Vietnamese families, then checks key facts against the official references below. The links support the guide; they are not the guide itself.
Edited by NIMOVietnamese expert review pending
Fact-check references
This content is for information only and does not replace medical advice. For severe symptoms, breathing difficulty, or unusual unresponsiveness, contact a local medical facility or emergency service immediately.