Job Discussion Forums

[Sudz]

I've been here for several years, and overall I'm definitely more on the more positive side of things (one would hope so...being here for as long as I have!)

I could list many positives (and some negatives), but I'd say the main reasons I'm still here after all these years is comfort with my teaching job (savings potential being part of the reason for this), and the ability to LEAVE this place a few times a year (and often experiencing new places). Though I'm usually excited before taking off to wherever on a plane, I do generally feel 'at home' coming back.

I do plan on leaving this place after finishing my MA TESOL (and am excited at the idea of this), but wouldn't be surprised if I decided to return one day.

[Kawika]

I've been here for 2.5 years, and am coming across more and more former complainers who left Vietnam, realized they had it good as a TEFL teacher in VN, then came back.
'The grass is always greener on the other side'

I've been fortunate to have good employers and good part-time teaching opportunities to supplement 'full-time' teaching work. I thought I was leaving the rat race 40+ hour work week in the States, and felt semi-retired when first coming here and only being paid for about 20 hours of teaching a week. After two years it was time for a change and became a 'real full-time' teacher -40 workweek, so I guess I'm back in the rat race, saving for the day I can be semi-retired for good

We're fortunate that the TEFL industry in Saigon has many options, so you can teach / work as much or as little as you want- it's really up to you. We can live like a king and spend all our money, or live frugally and save up a nice amount. There were opportunities for newbie teachers like me when I first got to VN, and opportunities for more experienced teachers or those who want more (management / admin teacher 40 hour work weeks).

However, Vietnam does have its negatives... when you personally feel those negative outweigh the advantages- It's time for a change, enjoy life somewhere else in the world

[posh]

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Nice post Kawika

[travelinhobo]

I feel that the questionnaire is biased. And therefore, I'm wondering, based on that, how many of the responders are male vs. female. I've yet to see a female expat walking in arms with a Vietnamese guy here.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[ExpatLuke]

From my perspective, it's mostly been due to the fact that Western women don't want to be with a Vietnamese man, not the other way around. I'm sure there's some great Vietnamese guys here, but it's the exception to the rule. This is a society where it's accepted that men cheat on their wives/girlfriends, it's okay to beat your wife/girlfriend, and she's expected to serve you. And not to mention the long fingernails guys over here like can be a bit unsettling.

I've even talked to some girls here who have said they know their husband loves them because he beats her when she's unhappy. "He hits me because he loves me." That was the exact quote.

That's one reason why Western men are so popular with the ladies here. We generally are more affectionate, we are (mostly) more faithful, we don't beat them, and we aren't opposed to helping with housework and other things.

[I'm With Stupid]

I think it's far simpler than that. Someone once said that men want ornaments and women want appliances. Basically, men are attracted by looks and women are attracted by, for want of another term, usefulness (things like a good job, financial stability, etc). And frankly, Vietnamese men have nothing to offer Western women in this respect. Even if he's got a good job, she's probably earning at least 4 times his salary from the moment she gets an entry level job in the country. We might be beyond the stage where women are having to rely on men to provide for them, but that doesn't mean that the rules of attraction don't still apply. And as someone who shares many physical features with the average Vietnamese man, I can tell you that women aren't generally fantasizing about skinny, short men. So what's left? Conversation? Shared interests or cultural values? It's possible, but unlikely.

Obviously with Western men, the reverse situation occurs, which explains why what we would see as a fairly average man can do pretty well for himself.

Interestingly, you hear about Western women dating locals far more in countries like Japan, where they're generally economic equals (and despite being very different cultures, probably still have more in common than your average Western woman and a Vietnamese man), I'll admit that it's still far less likely than the reverse situation, though.

[kurtz]

[andwar]

I'm ok...I have a good job teaching full-time at an international secondary school, BUT I am very tired of living in Saigon - too big - too much traffic - too many people - no nature. Been here 14 months - certainly not an easy or enjoyable place to live!

[Expat101]

[biliana]

[vabeckele]

I met one woman, from Eastern Europe, who was/is taller than me, and I'm 187cm, dating a Vietnamese guy. She didn't like it when I mentioned that she is bigger than her man and it must be a little difficult.