Deep question!

Hanoi:
Slower, less "crowded" environment. More quiet. Better for families in a way. Even though there's 4M people here, it feels slower and less hectic. Hanoi has nice lakes and parks, I feel like it is more scenic, or there is a certain more of a romanticism.

Saigon: (TPHCM)
More western, more places to eat. If you like nightlife, western style, HCM is the place. HCM feels more of a "concrete city", but that may not really be true- there are no lakes, feels less natural.

Many more westerners in Saigon.

Costs for both cities are probably the same in the end.

Regarding jobs, teaching English is an exceptionally high paying position (min $20USD/hour). If you want a regular "office" job, I think those'll be harder to find if you want premium VN wages unless you have a specific skill set that is way beyond someone here (knowing English is not necessarily that skill set).

Salaries are higher in Saigon vs Hanoi, and competition for jobs is higher there as well.

Just correct a mistake: regular cost in Saigon is higher than in Hanoi.

You like activities and nightlife, Saigon is the best choice.

Very nice, succinct comparison of the two cities, mnguyen. One correction, though, before Dan and Emily get too excited, I'd say $20/hr teaching is the maximum, not the minimum, for most newcomers. Also, to get anything close to that wage they'd have to a uni degree, a CELTA or equivalent, some experience and a clean background check. Otherwise they'll end up at a second-rate school.

Emily, what kind of work are you and Dan qualified for?

I'm a city boy so I prefer HCM. Hanoi can be very boring at times and has the feel that you're roughing it (indefinitely). With that said, Hanoi is easier to get around without a car and you will learn the city faster than you would HCM.

For a city half way between HN and HCMC would recommend Da Nang. Have just relocated and am enjoying it. People very friendly, polite and open, no traffic problems, fresh air and fantastic beaches. A lot cheaper than Ha Noi.

A lot of tourist development here with many many 5-star foreign owned hotels under construction along the beach strip between Da Nang and Hoi An. Have heard that there are opportunities for English teaching, but have not had any direct contact with these opportunities.

Not much in the way of night life, and direct international air connections at the moment are limited. These things will change over the next 18 months.

Southern Vietnamese people are more friendly than northern vietnamese ....take it into account

go everywhere then stay somewhere