Which Asian destination are you?
Six questions to find out which Asian destination to choose between Thailand, Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Bali. At the end, yours — with its dates, its pace and why that one came out and not another.
Start the test →All four trips are good. When deciding which Asian destination to choose the question is not which is better, but which one suits you right now.
They all travel in small groups of 6 to 13 people, with one of us leading the entire trip. What changes is the pace: one lasts seventeen days and changes scenery every two; the other doesn't make you unpack even once.
So instead of telling you all four and letting you decide, you ask and we answer. Six questions, and at the end you'll see how much each destination scores and why.
If you prefer to skip the test, below you have the four explained one by one and a table to compare which Asian destination to choose at a glance.
How long can you take?
Duration is the first thing that rules out options.
Packing and unpacking, or a single place?
Changing accommodations allows you to see more, but it's tiring.
What pulls you most when you imagine it?
Answer with what you feel like, not with what sounds best.
How much do you feel like walk?
None of them is a sporty trip, but some ask more of your legs than others.
And the dates?
Each destination is offered once a year, on a fixed date.
A moment from the journey. Choose one.
The one that makes you smile when you read it.
You already know which Asian destination to choose.
Your destination
- Duration
- Dates
- GroupFrom 6 to 13 people, with one of us in the group
- Accommodation
Thailand
If when deciding which Asian destination to choose what you are looking for is a complete trip rather than an extreme one, this is yours. Temples, mountains, beach and a cuisine that changes the way you understand food — all in a single itinerary, without having to give anything up.
Bangkok, Chiang Rai with the sunrise from Phu Chi Fa, Krabi with its 1,260 steps to Wat Tham Suea, the Ao Thalane kayaking and the Dragon Crest viewpoint. And Koh Lipe at the end, to slow the pace. Three domestic flights included.
It's the best entry point if it's your first time in Asia and you want everything sorted out. When someone asks us which Asian destination to choose to start with, it's almost always this one.
15 days · from October 2nd to 16th, 2026, last departure of the year · group of 6 to 13 people.
Sri Lanka
Real nature, not a postcard. Two safaris, including the one on Yala National Park, where one of the world's highest densities of leopards lives.
The 1,200 steps of Sigiriya, with four nights based there. Anuradhapura and Polonnaruwa, Kandy, Nuwara Eliya, the first-class train through tea plantations to Ella and the Lipton's Seat viewpoint. And finally Tangalle and Mirissa.
It is the trip for those looking for intensity in a short time: the island is small and has everything close by. If you are unsure which Asian destination to choose and what moves you is animals in the wild, there is no argument.
15 days · from October 4 to 18, 2026 · 8 accommodations · group of 6 to 13 people.
Vietnam
No other route changes scenery so much in so few days: mountains in Sapa, sea in Halong Bay, historic city in Hue, tropical south in Mui Ne.
Hanoi, night train to Sapa, one night on board in Halong Bay, Hoi An, Hue, Ho Chi Minh City, the Cu Chi Tunnels and Mui Ne. Two domestic flights included in the price.
It is the longest and most diverse trip — for those who do not want to repeat the same view two days running. If you are unsure which Asian destination to choose and what you have plenty of is the urge to move, this is yours.
17 days · from November 3 to 19, 2026 · 11 nights in hotel, 1 on board and 2 on night train · group of 6 to 13 people.
Bali
There's no middle ground here: one day you go up to Mount Batur before dawn to watch the sunrise, and the next day you do absolutely nothing.
It has something that none of our other trips have: a single suitcase in fourteen days. A single base in Ubud, jungle all around. Tirta Empul, Tegallalang, Lempuyang, Lake Tamblingan and the New Year's Eve dinner. The itinerary was designed by a local Balinese guide.
And it is the only departure of the year that crosses into the new year while traveling: if that date fits you, you already know which Asian destination to choose.
14 days · December 21 to January 3 · single base, 11 nights in Ubud · group of 6 to 13 people.
Which Asian destination to choose: the four, compared
If you prefer to see it at a glance instead of taking the test, this table summarizes which Asian destination to choose based on your days, dates, and the pace you're looking for.
| Destination | Duration | Dates 2026 | Accommodation | What Defines It |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thailand | 15 days | October 2-16 | Changes along the route | Temples, mountains, beaches, and gastronomy. Three domestic flights included. |
| Sri Lanka | 15 days | October 4-18 | 8 accommodations | Two safaris, the tea train to Ella and the 1,200 steps of Sigiriya. |
| Vietnam | 17 days · the longest | November 3-19 | Hotel, cruise and night train | The one with the most changing scenery. Two domestic flights included. |
| Bali | 14 days | December 21 to January 3 | Single base, 11 nights in Ubud | Just one suitcase and New Year's Eve included in the trip. |
Whichever Asian destination you choose, all four run in a small group of 6 to 13 people, with one of us inside the group the whole trip. Why that changes the whole trip.
Before making a decision which Asian destination to choose
How long does each SunZen Travel trip last?
Vietnam lasts 17 days, from November 3 to 19, 2026. Thailand, 15 days, from October 2 to 16, 2026. Sri Lanka, 15 days, from October 4 to 18, 2026. Bali, 14 days, from December 21 to January 3. All in small groups of 6 to 13 people.
Thailand or Vietnam for a first trip to Asia?
This is the most frequently asked question when deciding which Asian destination to choose. Thailand is usually a better fit for a first trip: it combines temples, nature, beaches, and gastronomy in 15 days, including three domestic flights. Vietnam takes 17 days and its landscape changes constantly, from the mountains of Sapa to Halong Bay and the tropical south of Mui Ne, so it requires a faster pace and more time.
Which destination in Asia is best for wildlife viewing?
Sri Lanka. The itinerary includes two safaris, including one in Yala National Park, plus a first-class train journey through tea plantations to Ella and a visit to Lipton's Seat viewpoint, all in 15 days.
What is the only trip where you don't have to change hotels?
Bali, and for many people that's enough to know which Asian destination to choose. It's the only itinerary with a single base: eleven nights in the same accommodation in Ubud, so you only unpack once in fourteen days. The other destinations change accommodations along the route.
Is it possible to spend New Year's Eve traveling with SunZen Travel?
Yes, in Bali. It's a one-time trip a year, from December 21st to January 3rd, designed to spend New Year's Eve on the island, with a maximum of 13 spots.
How many people go on each trip?
From 6 to 13 people across all four trips, so that's not the judgment for deciding which Asian destination to choose. Thirteen places per departure is the actual maximum. If the minimum of six isn't reached, the trip is canceled and the 100% deposit is refunded.
What if you're still
not sure?
That's okay. Deciding which Asian destination to choose doesn't always come down to a test: tell us what you're looking for and we'll talk about it.
The guide, free
Everything you need to know before making a decision.
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Everything that helps you decide which Asian destination to choose.