30 something male and female would like recommendations for barebones tours and tourbooks.

Intrepid Travel. Lonely Planet and Rough Guides.

How much time do you have? I like to check out Frommers website on line - he usually has suggestions for 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 week itineraries that are a nice start in planning a trip. Read some of the trip reports on line here. If you click on my name I did a report on a 3 week trip to VN and also one to Thailand. There are many other reports as well which will help you get an idea on what to expect.

Thx! Will do.

With the unfortunate flooding in Vietnam, any thoughts about an alternative trip. Will be in Singapore for 5 weeks from mid-Dec. and wanted to take a 1-2 week trip.

Malaysia. Laos. Indonesia. China. You really need some guidebooks!

The weather is totally good in Vietnam at this moment

Virginia, are you referring to the annual flooding in central VN (Hoi An/Hue)? If so, that isn't a reason to avoid VN after Nov.

I am in Hoi An right now. Although there was flooding last week, this week everything is just fine.