1. LESS IS MORE
Try to travel as light as you can. If you are not sure if you will need something, leave it. As you travel, especially through Laos, you realize you don’t need a lot of things, but if you are sure you will need something, bring it with you, because Laos is not a place to search for a specific item ☺.
Here is my backpack content for one month of travels through mostly Laos and Cambodia, maybe it will seem a lot of things, but it all fitted into my 45 + 10 liters backpack and there was still a lot more space left for souvenirs:
CLOTHES:
8 underpants, 2 boxers (to sleep in), 4 socks, 1 shorts, 2 trousers ( comfortable thin trousers), 1 pareo (which can be used as a scarf, blanket, a dress or maybe even something else), a bra, 2 swimming suits (the top can be used as a spare bra), 8 T-shirts (1 for sleeping, 4 with sleeves and 3 without, depending what is the destination of the travel), 2 long sleeved shirts, warm sport pullover with a hood, 1 thin and warm jacket (try not to lose it ☺), comfortable shoes, flip flops.
If I have troubles deciding which piece I want to pack, I weight them and then choose the one that is lighter - easy choice ☺!! I try to have enough clean clothes for about 10 days!
COSMETICS:
small shampoo, 50 mL of shower gel, 30 mL of detergent for washing clothes, 20 mL of Aloe Vera, small suncream, lipbalm, toothbrush, 50 mL of toothpaste, dental floss, 50 mL of mouthwash, wet wipes, good toilet paper (always carry one with you ☺), tissues, sanitary pads and tampons (or menstrual cup), ear sticks, cotton pads;
AND ALSO:
good knife, comb, inflatable travel cushion, sleep mask, ear plugs, spork, silk sleeping bag, travel towel, telephone with headphones and charger, portable charger, sunglasses, nail file, ginger (good for cold, nausea), small strong alcohol, Nasopure, good anti-repellent, small hand sanitiser, coconut oil + sodium bicarbonate (I use it as a deodorant), salt (I use it in Nasopure with sodium bicarbonate), drugs (antihistaminic, painkiller, something for sore throat), plasters, small sewing kit, pen, neck keychain, waterproof telephone case.
Everything on the list can be put in hand luggage, except knife and nail file - so if you are travelling with only hand luggage, like I was, you can buy this at your destination. My backpack weighed (without the things I wore, which were the heaviest) about 7 kg. I had also one small bag and money belt.
Trust me, if the list above was enough for me, it will be enough for you too, more adventurous can try packing like Handymanbananas ☺:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zoQH7qnyC_8)!