Just getting started - Vietnam is one of the places we are considering for our next 2-1/2 week trip which would be via Bangkok next February - probably something like Hanoi - Ha Long Bay - Hue - Hoi An and Saigon/HCMC. We would want to tour privately, not in a group. What are good sites to look at for internal flights and hotels? Should we use a local agent or book direct? How about drivers and/or guides - book through hotel or use agency such as Exotissimo (mentioned by one poster on this forum)?

We are also researching Papua New Guinea but I will save that for another thread.

the website www.vietnamstay.com has hotel and internal flight prices.
I have used them...as have several other posters. I thought their prices were very competitive and their service were very timely and responsive.
I think they can also arrange drivers/guides in each city, but I did not used them for that.

I would try to drive (have a driver) for at least part of the trip since that's how you actually see something of the country. I would also try to go someplace a bit less touristy. You have the time. Halong Bay is one night; Hue is 2 or 3 nights max; Hoi An is only worth a day in my opinion but the area around it (Danang etc) have interesting places so say a total of 2 or 3 days. Hanoi should be 4 days and Saigon maybe 3. i would definitely book your driver/guide ahead of time rather than through the hotel.

Craig, I just saw the beginning of a trip report by MSheinberg called SE Asia Trip. They had a recommendation for a guide in Hanoi who sounded excellent.

Hi Craig,]

first keep in mind that Hanoi and Halong would be at least 20 degrees colder as Bangkok.
Domestic flights can be done by Vietnam Airlines also and directly. Hopefully they"ll have an online booking system soon. If not, their US office can be used.
saigontourist and vietnamtourist are other possibilities for hotel bookings and drivers. You can try direct bookings with hotels. But many hotels (except the international chains) are still government owned and there wont be much difference.
What I heard about Exotissimo was not the best. Too big, too expensive and not flexible enough.

Exotissimo was very good for me recently. I was impressed that when I checked out of a pre-paid hotel in Saigon, they got me a refund. The guides (freelancers; they do not work solely for the company) follow the standard tours, although they were amenable to my changes. They also got me a hotel rate in Saigon that was far better than I could get directly from the hotel. I can give you the info of a guide I liked in Hanoi if you are interested.

We also found Exotissimo to be excellent in booking at good prices and then following a family death cancelling arrangements and finding new flight arrangements. Highly recommended!
Your itinerary looks good, I would also suggest including Sapa travelling in the Victoria Resort train and of course staying there. On arrival you can book local tours through the hotel to Hmong villages. From Saigon you should also visit the wartime tunnels - fascinating!

I would also consider a trip down into the Mekong Delta. We went on a couple of boat rides through the canals (not quite the right word) and enjoyed them very much. As mentioned above, the Cu Chi tunnels are well worth a trip.

craig---we used asian trails in bkk....while they are a huge company, they also do private tours....we had a guide and a driver and it worked perfectly...