I have now been to Hanoi about three times, in the winter and the summer.  It is an amazing city, especially the old quarter.

During these visits I have begun to notice some differences between Ho Chi Minh and Hanoi and I discussed them with my friends at work.

Differences:

• More friendly service in HCM
• Less wear motorbike helmets in Hanoi
• Weather is colder in Hanoi in winter
• Less vibrant clothing in Hanoi
• More temples with Chinese characters in Hanoi
• Pronounce words differently, more Z sounding words in Hanoi
• More aggressive driving and harder to cross the street in Hanoi
• The men seem to wear shorts up in the North where in the South it is trousers and jeans only.
• The food is sweeter in the South.

I am obviously biased living here but I prefer HCM, it seems more liberal and vibrant.