Job Discussion Forums

Blingcosa · Joined: 17 May 2008 Posts: 146 Location: Guangdong

So I've been thinking long and hard about making the move from Beijing to Vietnam. I've been trawling through these boards, and I'd like to know if these things are correct:

1. Because I have drink-driving convictions from my home country, I won't be able to get a work permit.
2. But I don't really need a work permit, most teachers in Vietnam work without them
3. To get a 3 month tourist visa outside Vietnam, I need to buy an invitation letter online?
4. It is difficult to get more than 20 working hours a week

Thanks kindly

EFL4Life · Joined: 30 Aug 2014 Posts: 25

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sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

1. You need a clean criminal background check in order to get a work permit. So, if they show up, it might be a problem.

2. What EFL4Life said.

3. As far as I know, you don't need the letter. It's mainly a convenience for people already living in VN. If you have the letter, you don't need to go to the embassy. If you don't have the letter, then you need to go to the embassy/consulate and apply and wait a day or more to pick it up. A friend of mine just got a 3-month tourist visa in Vientiane, Laos, for example. So, it depends on how easy it is for you to get to the VN embassy/consulate.

4. Hours fluctuate seasonally. Now until about October is the peak season. Things start slowing down in Nov. and stop for Tet (Lunar New Year, same as China) when schools are closed for 2 weeks. You'll still have hours before and after Tet, maybe even a full schedule. Overall, I think maintaining an average of 20 hrs/wk in the big cities is not very difficult.

Basically, you can search for "teaching jobs vietnam" and find some job ads, get in touch with some schools, then come and check things out in person. The summer is starting NOW.

TRH · Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Hawaii

rogerwilco · Joined: 10 Jun 2010 Posts: 1549

twowheel · Joined: 03 Jul 2015 Posts: 753

I just did a double take at the title...Vietman. Exclamation

twowheel

TRH · Joined: 27 Oct 2011 Posts: 340 Location: Hawaii

SimonW1986 · Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Posts: 12 Location: United Kingdom

1. Maybe have to see how the school feel
2. Loads do, but it means either risking dodgy visas if renewed inside the country (a lot of teachers recently found they had fake ones) or going on visa runs which can be irritating and expensive. Many go to Cambodia but honestly you're better off flying to KL or BK if you plan ahead as the Cambodian visa can reach $40.. There have been minor threats of clampdowns on teachers on tourist visas too.
3. You can get the tourist visa invitation letters online from loads of places now. You can even get business visas too
4. I never had trouble as I was happy to work for a big language centre company. Lots work for 2/3 places too I believe but i've never been on under 22 hours teaching for long. Now i'm on a fixed salary.

Triple Dragon · Joined: 14 Sep 2013 Posts: 2

Yeah, sorry about the typo in the heading

I am from New Zealand

Thanks for the replies so far, much appreciated