Tokyo, as seen on my run across the Rainbow Bridge.

Lunch at ⭐️⭐️ Kikunoi Akasaka | @kikunoi_akasaka.

Faced with a $200 Hilton resort credit that would expire at end of year, I took a side trip on the way to Tokyo to stay at the Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa | @hiltonodawara. With the credit, it basically came out to $50 for the night and I got a massive room, a solid balcony view, an onsen bath facility that I availed myself to end my night and to start my next morning.

A wonderful day, eating and drinking my way through Odawara.

From my visit to Odawara Castle 小田原城, I got a little bit of history within its walls but the real highlight was the 360º view from the outdoor perimeter deck.

The experience going from Osaka to Ho Chi Minh City and then to Tokyo in Vietnam Airlines Business Class, with a stop in the KIX Lounge Kansai for breakfast and then at the Lotus Lounge in SGN for a much-needed shower and supper.

A wonderful final evening eating and drinking my way through Ho Chi Minh City.

Sheraton as a brand in the Marriott portfolio is a weird one as the quality between individual hotels can vary wildly with seemingly very little consistency in brand standards in place. The Sheraton Can Tho | @sheratoncantho is one of those that exceeds the standard with a top-notch breakfast buffet and made-to-order dishes that was 50% off for being a guest at the hotel. Even better was the spa, where I got a 90-minute massage for the price of 60 - at 695,000₫, that comes out to… just under $27. Yep, a steal. Also? My room rate came out to under $90 a day! Insane.

Can Tho, as seen on my walks around town.

A wonderful long weekend eating and drinking my way through Can Tho.

If you ever find yourself having a conversation with me and I mention wanting to run a marathon in southeast Asia, do me a solid and remind me about my experience running the Can Tho Heritage Marathon | @canthoheritagemarathon?

Can Tho, as seen on a very warm run, especially at 8 am.

I booked a standard King Guest Room at Hilton Saigon | @hiltonsaigon but thanks to my Diamond status (which I owe entirely to the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card), I was upgraded to a King Suite. Not too shabby for around $250/night - probably a lot by Vietnam standards but I ain’t complaining.

Ho Chi Minh City, as seen on my many walks around town.

A wonderful couple of days eating and drinking my way through Ho Chi Minh City.

Dinner at ⭐️ AKUNA | @akunarestaurant, which was easily one of the best dining experiences I’ve ever had in my life.

Ho Chi Minh City, as seen on a very warm run, even at 7 am.

A walk through history and splendor at Independence Palace (Reunification Hall) | @dinhdoclap_independencepalace.