1. Shanghai (China)

China's number one financial center tops the list of Asia's premier destinations and ranks second globally for 2026, after Melbourne, Australia. Shanghai is a dynamic city that retains its classic charm with well-planned neighborhoods. Chinese and colonial architecture coexist with cross-disciplinary projects.

Shanghai is also considered the city with the most coffee shops in the world, where visitors can explore many different styles of cafes on a single street, each creating increasingly unique beverages. Photo: Time Out

2. Bangkok (Thailand)

Bangkok thrives, with ancient temples nestled among towering skyscrapers. The city also offers many cultural activities. Thailand's first international contemporary art gallery opened in late 2025. This coming october, the Bangkok Art Biennale will return, transforming the entire city into an art hub. For speed enthusiasts, there is an opportunity to participate in the Formula one race. "Land of Smiles" remains a fitting nickname for this Southeast Asian nation.

Visitors can easily navigate the city via skytrains and extensive bus routes. Whether seeking street food, exploring creative art districts, or relaxing in parks, visitors will find their desires met. Photo: The Nation

3. Seoul (South Korea)

Seoul offers a full range of experiences. Visitors can admire cherry blossoms in spring, immerse themselves in vibrant music festivals during summer, camp by the Han river in autumn, or ski at winter resorts.

Thanks to the popularity of the hit TV show Bake Your Dream and the Netflix series Culinary Class Wars, South Korean pastry shops are gaining global attention. 2026 is designated as "The Year of Art" in South Korea, with seven major cultural projects launching, four of which are located in the capital. Photo: Linh Veronica

4. Tokyo (Japan)

Tokyo is a city of continuous development, yet Japanese cultural elements are ever-present amidst its modernity. It is one of the safest and most walkable cities globally. Time Out describes it as a city that "takes one day to fall in love with, but a lifetime to understand".

This city boasts the famous Jimbocho district, home to many Michelin-starred restaurants. Notably, Tokyo recently opened the world's first outdoor Pokemon theme park. The cherry blossom season will begin in late march. Beyond that, the most vibrant festival season is in summer. Additionally, the city's world-class museums are featuring a range of major exhibitions. Photo: Time Out

5. Hong Kong (China)

Hong Kong features a dynamic nightlife, with many high-end bars, outstanding cuisine, and a host of world-class hotels. Hong Kong is also a city with a very local, authentic character, not diluted by modern uniformity.

After the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong will host a vibrant month of art with major events like Art Basel Hong Kong, Art Central, and the Hong Kong International Literary Festival. By summer, approximately 1,000 pet-friendly restaurants will be certified, allowing visitors to explore the city freely with their beloved pets. Photo: Sahyogmantra Tours

6. Singapore

Despite being a small nation with limited resources, Singapore's creativity is undeniable. Each year brings new discoveries. This year, visitors should explore Kada, a heritage site over 100 years old, which has become a hub for cafes, wellness studios, and parties. In the Lentor Modern shopping center, new concepts like Bunny’s, a wagyu burger joint, are quickly becoming local favorites.

While the cost of living in Singapore is rising, this stimulates creativity, making Singapore less ostentatious but more authentic and approachable. Photo: T+L

7. Hanoi (Vietnam)

The capital city is described as "a blend of old and new" and is undergoing an "astonishing" transformation. While backpackers still enjoy pavement bia hoi (fresh beer), a generation of young Vietnamese entrepreneurs is establishing a luxurious bar culture, capable of making it onto the Asia's 50 Best list.

80% of Hanoi residents believe the city is ideal for enjoying coffee, and 73% recommend experiencing Hanoi's cuisine. Most residents affirm their city is a place where it is easy to make new friends. Photo: My Linh

8. Beijing (China)

Beijing balances imperial grandeur with an increasingly youthful urban rhythm found in its bars. Motel 106 is a "hidden gem" with a modern Hong Kong-inspired style infused with Southeast Asian culture, where visitors often encounter world-renowned DJs. Visitors can still find tranquility in parks and spiritual sites like Zhihua Temple. Shopping is also a worthwhile experience, with prominent malls such as SKP Beijing and Taikoo Li Sanlitun.

For tourists, new metro lines 6, 17, and 18 make traveling within the city easier and more economical. autumn 2026 marks the return of the famous Golden Eagle Luxury Trains on the Silk Road, which ceased operations in 2019, with its journey passing through Beijing. Photo: trotop

9. Chiang Mai (Thailand)

Chiang Mai is Northern Thailand's "shining star" for creativity. The 700-year-old former capital is home to golden temples, teak architecture, and a dynamic modern energy revolving around culture, art, and music.

Chiang Mai features beautifully decorated cafes alongside centuries-old stupas, experimental breweries and performance art spaces, critically acclaimed cocktail venues, and a vibrant vinyl community and festival scene shaping its nightlife. The outskirts offer experiences like trekking and elephant riding, along with innovative farm-to-table meals.

2026 is a significant milestone for Chiang Mai's cultural development. The dynamic Chiang Mai Festival City initiative brings music festivals, art weeks, and culinary events almost every weekend. Additionally, the city is nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status. Photo: Chiang Mai tours

10. Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Ho Chi Minh City is dubbed "The sleepless city" by Time Out. Observing an intersection here is enough to understand that this city never stands still. 75% of the population in Ho Chi Minh City reports feeling happy living here.

In 2026, a new wave of creativity is shaping the face of this dynamic metropolis. In late 2025, UNESCO recognized Ho Chi Minh City as a "Creative City of Film", becoming the first in Southeast Asia to receive this title. In the culinary sector, young chefs are telling their own stories, with an increasing number of restaurants making it onto Michelin's lists. Photo: Giang Anh

11. Osaka (Japan)

Kuchisabishii, a Japanese term for the feeling of wanting to snack, accurately describes Osaka's lifestyle. This city is Japan's street food capital. It is also a comprehensive metropolis with the Shinsaibashi shopping district, an island dedicated to museums and culture like Nakanoshima, and lush green nature just a short train ride away.

With its strategic location in the Kansai region, Osaka also serves as a starting point for exploring nearby destinations such as Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, and Wakayama. Although the Osaka Expo concluded last october, the city maintains its vibrancy with a series of events throughout 2026. The beloved Expo mascot, Myaku-Myaku, will tour the prefecture, and the Expo fireworks are scheduled to be re-enacted in april. Furthermore, some structures and artworks from the Expo site will be displayed at various locations. Photo: Travelogde Hotel Asia

By Tam Anh (according to Time Out)