Viet Nam
 

I'd like to go to Vietnam for ten days late November/early December but will not know if I can budget for this until probably September. Would probably also work in a few days in Thailand. I've done some homework and would like to work through vietnamstays which is well recommended on this forum. My question is if I wait until September will I still get my first choice of hotels etc., or should I just give it up and start planning November 2008. Thanks to all in advance.

I know vietnamstay is highly recommended, but we found the rates directly from the hotel's websites are not that much higher and the advantage is that if you work directly with the hotel you do not have to pre-pay and can generally cancel with no penalty up to a day or so before the first night of your stay.

I don't know if you will get your first choice of hotels as i don't know how popular the hotels are that you're interested in.
Viet Nam has so many wonderful hotels you're spoilt for choice so my recommendation is to not give up and deal directly with the hotels come this September.
You can often negotiate a cheaper rate if you contact the hotel's own website.

Just to correct the advice on vietnamstay. We have used them recently and they do not require pre payment for hotels. Their replies were prompt and they have been very helpful.

Galiano, as I said Vietnamstay has many satisfied customers, but the terms and conditions that vietnamstay sent me did involve deposits and pre-payment with forfeiture for cancellation within 60 or 90 days prior to the stay. That may not be a problem for people who are certain that they will not have to cancel or change plans, but for folks who want or need more flexibility, booking directly with the hotel generally allows you to cancel up to 24 hours before the stay with no cost. It is another option, and as someone else said, the rates may be competitive.