Solo Travel Over 50 - Reality Check: Why I Cancelled Vietnam (And Don’t Regret It)

I came home a month earlier than planned from my solo trip in Asia.

Not because I wanted to…

But because something didn’t feel right.

With everything unfolding in the Middle East and the potential impact on aviation fuel, I found myself sitting in Thailand faced with a decision:

Do I keep going… or do I go home?

I had already been traveling for four months...

Vietnam, the part I was most excited (and nervous) about was next.

And yet… my gut was telling me something different.

So I listened.

What would you have done?

Trust Your Gut

I am a HUGE believer in trusting your gut especially as a woman traveling solo.

When my “spidey senses” go off, I’ve learned not to ignore them.

Sitting at my wellness retreat on Koh Samui, I came across an article about potential fuel shortages and how countries like Vietnam were preparing.

It wasn’t panic… it was a quiet knowing.

And if you’ve ever felt that before—you know exactly what I mean.

As Oprah Winfrey once said:
“Every right decision I’ve ever made has come from my gut.”

That landed hard for me in that moment.

Because I also heard something else…

My late husband’s voice: “Get your butt home.”

Have A Support System

One of the biggest shifts for me now traveling solo…

Is not having my husband as my immediate sounding board.

That “1-800 panic call” doesn’t exist anymore.

And that’s a reality many of us face whether through loss, separation, or simply having a partner who doesn’t travel.

So I’ve built something different.

A circle of support.

Friends and family across time zones who I can reach out to when I need perspective.

When I shared what I was seeing and feeling, the response was unanimous: “Return home.”

Cancelling The Tactical and Practical

Let's be honest… cancelling is not just emotional, it’s logistical.

The calls. The wait times. The “how much is this going to cost me?” moment.

This is where your earlier decisions show up:

• Did you book refundable options?

• Did you prioritize flexibility or price?

• Do you actually understand your travel insurance?

A couple of lessons from this experience:

✔ Always ask for flexibility even when it’s not offered
✔ Know your “risk tolerance” when booking
✔ Call your insurance provider before cancelling anything

I was pleasantly surprised I received credits I wasn’t entitled to… simply because I asked!

Dealing With The Emotional Impact Of Cancelling

Cancelling a trip is disappointing at the best of times.

But when you’re traveling solo… it hits differently.

Because you didn’t just plan a trip.

👏 You pushed through fear.
👏You committed to yourself.
👏You stepped outside your comfort zone.

So yes… cancelling is a BIG deal.

I was sad. Frustrated. Disappointed.

And then I came home to spring snowstorms in Canada which didn’t exactly help my mood.

But here’s what I reminded myself…

If this were my best friend, what would I say to her?

I’d say:
“You made the right call. Your safety and peace of mind matter more than any itinerary.”

So yes, absolutely have a pity party I did...

But just don’t stay there too long ☺️

Closing Thoughts…

Here’s the truth no one talks about…

Solo travel isn’t just about the destinations.

It’s about the decisions.

✨ The uncomfortable ones.
✨The emotional ones.
✨The ones where no one else is there to decide for you.

And every time you trust yourself, you build confidence that you never knew you had.

Vietnam will still be there.

And when I go… I’ll go knowing I trusted myself when it mattered most.

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Women Over 50: Travel Safe, Confident and Connected

So cheers to wheels up to winging your way on your next travel building lasting memories.