My husband and I (in our 70's) will be doing our first ever trip to Vietnam in November/December. We are experienced "independent travelers" and are researching places to stay in Da Lat, and either Hue or Hoi An. My first question is, are the very low prices (I usually book through Booking.com) in many places a cause for concern? We usually stay in "3-star", or sometimes 4-star places, and avoid large corporate resorts/hotels. I've seen excellent reviews and lovely photos for under $50 per night.

My second question is a recommendation for a specific accommodation in Da Lat; there are SO many!

Also, we need to choose between 3 nights (mid-week) in Hue, or in Hoi An. The latter sounds charming but so touristy

Thanks for any assistance!

There are many very nice places to be had all over Vietnam for less than $50 so no, it is not a cause for concern. You will find plenty of nice place to stay in all of those locations. I too usually use booking.com and normally only consider places with a review of 8.5 or above. Recently, I have often tended to find better rates on Expedia.

Cant help with Da Lat as it is many years since we have stayed there. Choosing between Hoi An and Hue is always difficult and we have spent a fair amount of time in both places over the years. Hoi An is very quaint but over the last 10-15 years has become vastly overtouristed mostly by Chinese tour groups form the mega hotels along the coast road to Da Nang. It gets uncomfortably crowded especially in the mornings and evenings . I much prefer Hue, the ancient capital which has a lot to see especially the Imperial Citadel and the Imperial Tombs. Being a larger city than Hoi An the crowds are less of a problem . Some details and photos of both in various posts in our blog which may provide an idea of what to expect. https://accidentalnomads.com/category/vietnam/

I would normally suggest a day trip to Hoi An from Hue but with just 3 nights i.e. just 2 full days, I dont think you have time.

There is no direct flight from Dalat to Danang or Hue.

Incorrect, there are some flights between Da Nang and Da Lat, depends on the season. The carrier will inform about this in the short term only!

Late of December, there will be the Flower Festival in Da Lat. If you travel this time, please consider to book the accommodations soon.
The same as Hue, or Hoi An, November or December is the high season of inbound tourist.

From my experience with Booking, the rooms usually don't have any problem. Just make sure you read the reviews carefully before you book. Also, I suggest choosing a property with a flexible cancellation policy in case your plans change.

Da Lat has a lot of great accommodation options. But make sure you choose a place that's not too far from the city center.

Both Hue and Hoi An are charming towns, but they have different vibes. Here's a breakdown to help you decide: Hue is the former imperial capital of Vietnam, so a must see for history lovers. The Citadel, the Imperial City, and the tombs of the Nguyen emperors are all must-sees.
Hoi An is more than just a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It's a great place to relax and wander the streets, and do some shopping. Hoi An is definitely more touristy than Hue, but it's still a very charming town. If you stay outside of the Old Town center around Cam Ha and Cam Thanh area, it's not that touristy and you could also cycle around the rice fields.

I hope this helps!

A day trip to Hoi An ???? You must be kidding. 2 days Huê and minimum 3 days Hoi An. The only crowded area in HA is the three historic streets. If you cross the old bridge, it is non-touristy at all and there are plenty of excellent 2 (such as the Ngo Villa and its sister, and a fine 3-stars, the Emerald hotels (all of them with swimming pool) . Nearby, on tthe river, superlative restaurant Madame Kieu (for lunch, not for dinner because of very loud music)

I suggest you learn to read what has actually been written. The original post clearly stated that the have 3 nights. I Clearly stated that they do not have enough time for Hoi An. Also, Hoi An is incredibly crowded and not just in the three streets you suggest.

I suggest that YOU read what you have written, which is "I would normally suggest a day trip to Hoi An from Hue"

Clearly you missed the part where I said "but with just 3 nights i.e. just 2 full days, I dont think you have time."

I would normally suggest a day trip to Hoi An from Hue but with just 3 nights i.e. just 2 full days, I dont think you have time.
What is in bold may be clear to you, but not to me, who understand that, because of a tight schedule, there is not enough time to go to Hoi An ("I do not think you have time" !!!!!),