How do you celebrate half a century on earth? For my 50th birthday, I decided to go big: I booked my very first solo trip, and my very first trip to Asia.
I spent over three weeks exploring the neon streets of Tokyo, the futuristic skyline of Singapore, the bustling canals of Bangkok, and the incredible landscapes of Vietnam.
While I designed this itinerary as a solo adventure, the pacing, the boutique hotels, and the unbelievable food tours I booked make this the absolute perfect route for couples looking to celebrate a milestone anniversary, too! (In fact, my wife and I are heading back to Japan and Hong Kong soon for her 50th!)
If you want to eat the best street food, ride bikes through ancient cities, and navigate Asia like a pro, here is my complete, day-by-day 50th birthday itinerary.
Trip Logistics: The Flight Route
Navigating four different countries sounds intimidating, but the regional airlines in Asia make it incredibly easy and affordable.
- The Route: I flew out of Vancouver (YVR) to Tokyo on ANA. From there, I utilized fantastic regional airlines like Singapore Airlines, Scoot, and Vietnam Airlines to hop from city to city.
- The Vibe: Because I wanted to really experience the cities, I booked a lot of food tours and bike tours via Viator. It is the best way to safely explore a new country, taste authentic food, and meet incredible local guides.
Stop 1: Tokyo, Japan (4 Days)
After the long flight from Vancouver, there is no better place to wake up than Tokyo. I checked into the APA Hotel Asakusa Shin Okachimachi Ekimae, which was the perfect, highly-efficient home base to beat the jet lag.
To dive straight into the culture, I booked two incredible tours:
- The Food: I booked an Eat and Drink Like a Local: Tokyo Ueno Food Tour. Exploring the Izakayas (Japanese pubs) and eating authentic street food with a local guide on my first night was an unforgettable introduction to Japan.
- The Sights: To rest my feet, I booked an Off the Beaten Path Tokyo E-Bike Tour. Zipping through the quieter, hidden neighborhoods of Tokyo on an electric bike gave me a perspective of the city most tourists never see.
Stop 2: Singapore (2 Days)
Next, I caught a flight to Singapore. Singapore is famously clean, green, and futuristic. I checked into The Quay Hotel, right in the heart of the action.
With only two days here, I wanted to maximize my sightseeing. I booked the Lion City Bike Tour of Singapore. Riding through Marina Bay, Chinatown, and the historic districts in just 4 hours allowed me to see the absolute best of the city before catching my Scoot flight to Thailand!
Stop 3: Bangkok, Thailand (3 Days)
Bangkok is a brilliant, chaotic, sensory overload in the best way possible. I checked into the Urban House, a great quiet oasis in the middle of the city.
- The Food & The River: I spent a morning on the Old Siam Bangkok Food Tour tasting incredible curries and noodles. That evening, I celebrated my milestone by booking a Bangkok Carnival Dinner Cruise. Cruising down the Chao Phraya River with a buffet and free-flowing beer while the temples lit up at night was a major trip highlight!
- The Sights: Bangkok traffic is famous, so I avoided the cars and booked a Real Bangkok by Bike Tour, navigating the narrow alleyways and hidden canals.
Stop 4: Vietnam (14 Days)
Vietnam is so massive and diverse that you have to break it into pieces. I spent two weeks slowly making my way from the South to the North.
Ho Chi Minh City / Saigon (4 Days)
I started in the south, checking into the Akoya Saigon Central Hotel.
The traffic here is legendary, so I leaned into it! I booked a Saigon Motorbike Street Food Tour, riding on the back of a scooter through the busy streets to eat local Pho and Banh Mi. I also took a full-day guided trip to explore the historic Cu Chi Tunnels and the Mekong Delta, an absolute must-do for history buffs.
Hoi An & Da Nang (5 Days)
A quick flight brought me to central Vietnam. I checked into the Rokas Hoi An Boutique Hotel. Hoi An is famous for its magical, lantern-lit streets. I took an Evening Walking Food Tour to sample the regional specialties.
After a few relaxing days, I headed to the coastal city of Da Nang for a night at the Sala Danang Beach Hotel, where I booked a fantastic Private Sightseeing Tour to see the city’s highlights.
Hanoi (4 Days)
My final stop was the northern capital of Hanoi, staying at The West Hotel & Spa.
Hanoi is a foodie’s paradise, and I went all out. I did a Walking Food Tour that included the famous Hanoi Train Street, where the train passes inches from the cafes! To bring some of Asia home with me, I also took a Hanoi Coffee Class to learn how to make their famous Egg Coffee, followed by a Traditional 5-Dish Cooking Class and Market Trip.
From Hanoi, I flew to New Delhi, India for a 13-day work trip (but I’ll save those stories for another blog post!).
Where I Stayed (My Asian Hotel Highlights)
Because I was moving around so much, finding clean, comfortable, and centrally-located hotels was my top priority. I booked all of these via Expedia, and highly recommend them whether you are traveling solo or as a couple!
- Tokyo: APA Hotel Asakusa Shin Okachimachi Ekimae
- Singapore: The Quay Hotel
- Bangkok: Urban House
- Vietnam: Akoya Saigon Central (HCMC), Rokas Hoi An Boutique, Sala Danang Beach, and The West Hotel & Spa (Hanoi)
Have you ever taken a solo trip, or are you planning a milestone birthday vacation?