Job Discussion Forums

thesuitthatdidnt · Joined: 30 Apr 2011 Posts: 25

Am doing research for my next gig and have always been fascinated with the Vietnamese. So, I thought, maybe lifestyle change and head East.

If you are currently living and working in the Nam, can you tell me the major lifestyle differences between Ho Chi City and Saigon, and compared with the southern tip of the island Ca Mau (expat communities. lifestyle etc).

The rainy season which seems to last forever is a bit un-nerving and wonder how you cope with that?

Cheers

inhanoi · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 165

a. The term "the NAM" is NOT acceptable in most circles. It's insulting to war vets, it's a silly affectation to most others.

b. It's Ho Chi MINH City. Another faux pas that can get you into trouble.

c. Are you asking about teaching jobs in Ca Mau? Or what it's like for a holiday? Because that's a pretty remote spot for most people to actually live in.

d. The "rainy season" is a few daily thunder storms, usually late afternoon, that cool everything down. Nothing to worry about.

e. I forgot. There are numerous threads on here about the differences between HCMC and Hanoi. Lots of very useful information, along with some mythology.

tonyjones01 · Joined: 20 Aug 2010 Posts: 67

I certainly applaud anyone with the tenacity to answer these questions over and over again. Smile

EFLeducator · Posted: Sun Aug 05, 2012 9:21 pm Post subject:

I am getting nothing but glowing, positive reports on Vietnam so far from my amigo who just arrived. Seems like a VERY DIFFERENT place than that other country I lived in for so long.

I'm doing my best to get my things together so I can go soon as well.

Zhuangzi's Butterfly · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 9

I too am looking to teach in Vietnam. I am primarily looking to teach in Saigon and was wondering if anyone with a few years of experience in Vietnam could answer some questions for me.

First, I have money saved up for a ticket over and a month or two of living expenses. Where would be a good place in the city to rent an apartment? I am looking for something that is not saturated with expats and also not too far away from District 1.

Any recommendations on schools that I should apply to? I would preferably like to teach high school age students and adults, but am flexible to any age group if the need arises.

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

After being to both Hanoi and Saigon, I can say the busyness of the bigger cities is not for me. I enjoyed my time in both cities, but at the end of the day I just ended up feeling stressed by all the traffic, noise, pollution, etc. If you get the chance, I suggest you go to one of the smaller cities like Danang, Nha Trang, Vung Toa, etc. They are much more laid back, and you feel like you can actually breathe at the end of the day.

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

Agreed Luke, agreed.....

....after a few years in two of Viet Nam's three largest cities, I'd had enough and jumped to a "second-tier" smaller city in The North....it turned out to be a very wise move on my part!

Zhuangzi's Butterfly · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 9

To ExpatLuke and LettersAthruZ, can you include some more specificity to your claims? A smaller city like those would suit me well. Some searches online have yielded little results for schools in Nha Trang, Vung Tau, etc. I am a n00b though, and perhaps do not know what to search for.

From reading a bit about Nha Trang it seems awesome. Can anyone who has lived or passed through here offer in insight on it, please?

kurtz · Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 518 Location: Phaic Tan

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

toiyeuthitmeo · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 213

Vung Tau's economy is primarily oil and gas-based. It is the oil and gas center of Vietnam, with huge offices of Petro Vietnam and VietSov Petro supplying loads of Vietnamese with comfortable wages. Hence the prevalence of young learner schools there, as well as corporate and adult classes in general.

However, finding a wage competitive with Saigon wages has gotten more difficult over the years. Many of the schools in town (Apex, Kiddie English, Cleverlearn / American Academy) have successfully negotiated the over-supply of teachers to the point of $13-$15 / hour wages being about the rule-of-thumb. Another significant market share school, Natural English, has gone the Filipino teacher route. ILA is in town, too, and is near the top of the heap in wages.

You will find work in Vung Tau, if you're willing to work for a lower wage. But, certain things are cheaper in Vung Tau. It's not unheard of to rent a fairly nice ocean-view apartment (Roy's Place) for $400 / month, or a 2-3 room house for about the same. Relative lack of any excitement at night save hostess bars also equals a savings for some.

Stemming from the presence there of Anzac forces during the war, coupled with the relative cheapness of living, the fairly good English ability of service and hospitality workers, several Aussie-owned watering holes and restaurants, and of course, the ubiquitous opportunity of a beautiful VN girlfriend or wife 1/3 of their age (available for a typical dowry of a 30,000,000VND motorbike and/or several million in "my mom she very sick" money each month), Vung Tau has become something of a male, 50+ Aussie retirement community. Take that as you will.

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

I stand corrected on Vung Tau's economy, toiyeuthitmeo - many thanks for clarifying that for us!

ALWAYS wanted to check Vung Tau out for a visit, but I usually stay in Ho Chi Minh City for a couple of days at most....not really enough time for a side trip! Sad

Zhuangzi's Butterfly · Joined: 30 Jun 2012 Posts: 9

Thank you all for the fantastic information!

Now I am left with even more questions, but I think I should tell you a bit about me so you can alter your advice accordingly:

I am a 25 year old male citizen of the United States. English lit degree, lining up ducks to enroll in ILA or Apollo's CELTA program(and could take or leave a job offer from either of them if it comes my way). I have three months Speech and Debate teaching experience in Seoul last summer for what pittance that may be worth.

What is a fair pay rate that I should ask for in cities like Saigon and Hanoi? How about smaller "second-tier" cities like Danang, Vung Tau, etc.?

The towns you mentioned in the 1-300k population range, what are some good ones as far as amount of language schools and pay for those schools. Any other cities that haven't been mentioned that would be worth checking out?

Thank you all, again, for the help.

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

One place often overlooked is Vinh City.
Its in the north about 200Kms south of Hanoi, and has a good beach about 15 minutes bike drive out of town.
Not very touristy at all, but Hanoians go there for weekends, as Do Son beach, (Hanoi's "Gold Coast) is usually well overcrowded, and at high tide the beach, well---isn't.
Cheap living, but a bit sparse on western goods. It has the reputation as the "dog napping capital" of the world, so dont bring Fido.
Work wise, the best gid in town is ASEM- very progressive. Pay is a bit on the low side, (but so is the cost of living) and plenty of work if you want it.
They are into a lot of "humanitarian" outreaching-so if helping less fortunates is part of your scene, this is a nice place to be involved.