I lived a year in Hanoi and left in May this year. I can't speak for HCMC, but what i experienced wasn't much different from how you describe Saigon - it's ful

I lived a year in Hanoi and left in May this year. I can't speak for HCMC, but what i experienced wasn't much different from how you describe Saigon - it's full of loud and disrespectful foreigners (backpackers, many English teachers) living in their own little bubble of cheap booze, pot and western restaurants. That being said, I can only recommend my experience, it's an amazing place to immerse yourself (even if you live in a relatively western area like Tay Ho), amazing food and the extremely low costs allow you to pursue ventures for much longer than you'd be able in the west (if at all).