Asia Mini-Break Guide

Three Places I’m Already Counting Down to in 2026

I just got back to Hong Kong, and honestly, it feels like coming home in the best way. The city’s energy is electric, the food is ridiculous, and the airport is so efficient that a weekend escape feels almost too easy. Hong Kong is one of those rare places where you can disappear for 48 hours and still feel like you’ve been gone for a week.

Here are three destinations I’ve loved deeply and will absolutely be returning to in 2026. They’re all a short flight away, and each one has given me exactly what I needed at the time: space to breathe, food I still dream about, and a little reminder that the world is still full of gentle surprises.

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is my gentle reset. It’s cooler than Bangkok, slower, and somehow both spiritual and laid-back at the same time. The moment I drive through the lush paddy fields from the airport, any tension just melts off my shoulders and I’m in holiday mode.

The food is a dream: khao soi (creamy coconut curry noodles) from a roadside stall, sai ua (northern Thai sausage) charred over charcoal, mango sticky rice that tastes like summer in a bowl. I always end up at Warorot Market for fresh fruit and spicy larb, or at a tiny family-run spot for nam prik ong that makes me close my eyes and sigh.

Culturally, it’s rich without being overwhelming. Wander into a quiet wat in the old city and sit watching monks move through the light at sunset, or catch the morning alms-giving ritual—it feels intimate and real. The Sunday Walking Street market is my favourite: handmade silver jewellery, hill tribe textiles, live music that’s never too loud.

Things to do: a half-day ethical elephant sanctuary visit (no riding, no hooks), a cooking class to master green curry that actually tastes like Thailand, or rent a scooter and head to Doi Suthep for the golden temple and mountain views. Chiang Mai reminds me that slowing down can be the most adventurous thing you do.

2. Hoi An, Vietnam

Hoi An is pure magic after dark. The ancient town glows with thousands of lanterns floating on the river, and suddenly everything feels like a fairytale you don’t want to leave. I’ve been twice and both times came home inspired—for a writer, it’s creative kryptonite in the best way.

The food is next-level: cao lầu (thick noodles with pork, greens, crispy croutons), white rose dumplings (steamed little shrimp-and-pork flowers), bánh mì so good I’ve eaten two in a day (and I’m usually a variety queen). Next time I’m desperate to take a cooking class at Morning Glory.

Culturally, it’s a living museum. The old town is car-free, lined with yellow colonial buildings, tailor shops (these are hit and miss but they’re so cheap it’s fun to give your fashion design a shot), and lantern makers who’ve been at it for generations. Walk the Japanese Covered Bridge at sunrise when it’s just you and the river, or rent a bike and cycle to the beach through rice paddies.

Things to do: lantern-making workshop, night boat ride on the Thu Bon River, a half-day trip to My Son ruins (ancient Cham temples), or just sit at a riverside café with a Vietnamese coffee strong enough to blow your head off and watch the world go by. Hoi An has this gentle way of reminding you that beauty doesn’t have to shout.

3. Siem Reap, Cambodia

Siem Reap is the one that sneaks up on you. You go for Angkor Wat, but you stay for the unexpected warmth—the friendly smiles, the quiet mornings, the way the temples feel alive even though they’re ancient.

The food is hearty and soulful: amok (steamed fish curry in banana leaf), lok lak (peppery beef stir-fry), fresh spring rolls. I always hunt down small street stalls or local spots for dishes that taste like they’ve been passed down for generations.

Culturally, it’s an unforgettable place. Angkor Wat at sunrise is one of those rare experiences that lives up to the hype—the myths alive in the stone carvings, distant monks chanting, the jungle encroaching at every angle. The real magic is in the smaller temples: Ta Prohm with strangler figs growing through the ruins (cue epic photos), Banteay Srei with its delicate pink sandstone carvings that feel intimate and fragile.

Things to do: sunrise at Angkor Wat (go early, bring a sarong), bike around the temples, a floating village tour on Tonlé Sap Lake, or a quiet evening at Pub Street with a cold Angkor beer and people-watching. Siem Reap makes you feel like you’ve hopped in a time machine and been transported back to an ancient land.

These three spots are my 2026 shortlist because they’re easy to reach from Hong Kong, gentle on the soul, and full of the kind of simple magic that stays with you long after you’re back home.