ON THE ROAD / ASIA 2026
One trip.
Plenty of stories.
Vietnam first. China and Thailand ahead. Come along with us for the stays, the food, and the stops that make it off the itinerary and into the story.
Latest update: September 23, 2026
THE PLAN / ASIA ON THE MAP
One plan.
Plenty of room for detours.
Follow our planned journey through Vietnam, China, and Thailand, with a winter finale in Harbin. This is the route we’re starting with. The stories come along the way.
An animated route with Farsi headings and English place names. Plans may change as we travel.
Watch our Asia route · 1:28
THE FIRST CHAPTER / VIETNAM
Ho Chi Minh City.
And a very full day out.
Our first Vietnam notes: the hotel booking, a market stop, Korean barbecue, and a 12-hour trip to Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta. Snake wine was not the detail we expected to be explaining afterward.
Read our Ho Chi Minh City notes ↗WHERE WE BOOKED
Vietnam, one base at a time.
Our KiN entry now includes our firsthand impressions. The other entries describe our reservations, with upcoming stays clearly labeled. Inclusions and prices reflect our own bookings and can differ for other travelers.
Our experience · would stay again
KiN Hotel Ly Tu Trong Edition
Ho Chi Minh City
A clean room in a central, walkable District 1 location, complimentary water and soda each day, and super friendly staff. We loved the breakfast variety, fruit selection, and eggs cooked to our preference. We would definitely stay again. Read our KiN review.
Find on Google Maps ↗Arrival-night booking
Vivian Airport Hotel Saigon
Ho Chi Minh City
We booked a Superior Twin for our arrival night, with no meals included. Our flight arrived after midnight, so the reservation covered the preceding night.
Find on Google Maps ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
An apartment in Hoàn Kiếm
Hanoi
Our next base is an entire home/apartment booked through Airbnb, with two beds for two travelers. We reserved 15 nights for $492.70 total. That is our booking price, not a current rate quote.
Booked · not yet reviewed
The Au Co cruise
Ha Long Bay
A three-day, two-night cruise with one cabin for two, twin beds, and return transport from Hanoi. Our booking total is $694 for both of us. The firsthand story comes after we sail.
A LOOK AHEAD
Our China hotel list.
The reservations are in. The reviews are not. These are places we have booked for the China leg, so treat this as a look at our plan rather than a list of hotels we already recommend.
Booked · not yet reviewed
BEI JING TONG RUN HOTEL
Beijing
Six nights booked in an Elegant 2-bed Room. Our booking does not include breakfast.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Xingshengjiu Courtyard Hotel
Pingyao
Three nights in a Courtyard Premium Twin Room, with breakfast for two.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Himalaya Hotel (Xi’an Bell Tower Subway Station)
Xi’an
Five nights booked in a room with two beds and breakfast for two.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Dunhuang Fengmingsha Hotel
Dunhuang
Four nights in a Queen Room with Courtyard View, with breakfast for two.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Mercure Chengdu Chunxi Taikoo Li
Chengdu
Eight nights booked in a twin room, with breakfast for two.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Maiyue Hotel
Chongqing
Six nights in a Cloud 180° room with a queen bed and river views. Meals are not included.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Lanting Elegant Restaurant Hotel (National Forest Park Sign Store)
Zhangjiajie
Five nights booked near the national forest park. Room and meal details are still to be confirmed.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Tuwang Palace · Eight Halls
Furong
One night in a waterfall-view balcony twin room, with breakfast for two. Scenic-area admission is separate.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Booked · not yet reviewed
Phoenix Molan Zen Riverview Hotel
Fenghuang
One night in a river-view twin room, with breakfast for two.
Find on Google Maps ↗Check availability on Trip.com ↗Hotel option · not yet reviewed
Yangshuo hotel option
Yangshuo
Explore this hotel option on Trip.com for the property details, room choices, and availability for your dates.
Check availability on Trip.com ↗