Would need to know your ages, what your into, do you have kids, you have a choice where to live by your company, or you just plonking yourself somewhere for a while ?
In brief then:
Hanoi - Has 4 seasons, although Spring and Autum are only a month long. Can be roasting in the summer, bloody cold in the winter. Hanoi is pretty quiet these days, compared with say 3 years ago, police keep an eye out on the bar scene, not saying everything shutsdown at 12:00, but you must know where to go after, and the after hours places are spread out.
Museums, more than it's Southern counter part, Hanoi is the administration and Goverment centre of VN, and some say quiet, plenty of green spaces and lakes in the centre compared to HCMC.
HCMC - Has two seasons, rainy and dry. Nightlife, has everything you want, areas of the city do close at 12:00 which funnels alot of people down the backpackers quarters, and discos where they don't bother the locals. HCMC is the financial centre of VN, and you can tell, although the North keeps a close eye on the place. Not so much green spots as Hanoi. More expats doing things down here, and seem to mix better than Hanoi.
That is very brief, try www.newhanoian.com it gives you loads of info and write ups for Hanoi, more so than this sister site,which is only just got going (Very slowly, HCM expats must be too busy to give any input)
I'd have to agree with the above and say that, generally, if you are younger then HCMC is the place to be. Also, I feel like there are more western-oriented amenities such as shopping and fine dining, if you're the type of people that need such things. If you're looking to learn the language, you're probably better off in Hanoi, as the northern dialect is considered more proper. As for the weather, I don't mind the heat at all. When you live here, you're not out hiking all day in the sun anyway, and the nights are very pleasant. If you live in Hanoi, you'll have to bring twice as many clothes with you - summer and winter clothes. Just something to consider. Finally, I feel like the traffic is more "sane" in HCMC, although traffic in general is chaos in VN.
answered about 4 months ago by Doz11
we have been living in Hanoi and are about to move down to HCMC and boy am i glad. I personally dont care to much for Hanoi and from what i can gather HCMC will suit us better.Its nice to hear the traffic is a little saner and that there are more amenities suited to the westerner. We have found shopping in hanoi very difficult and nightlife very quiet and a lack of restaurants to suit our taste.
Hanoi isnt a pretty place either, form what i have started to research today, HCMC is far more up our street than Hanoi.
I would definately say if you are young then HCMC is the better choice.
Have to say though the people of Hanoi are lovely and the beer very cheap
