Job Discussion Forums

[naturegirl321]

While I have a good job and enjoy living in Korea, once you have a kid your clocking starts ticking because of schooling. I'm looking at other nearby countries and have read many of the posts about the quality of life in Vietnam.

I've lived abroad for almost 11 years now, leaving the US when I was 19, so there's not much of a career to go back to. So I'm looking at other Asian countries.

Could anyone tell me about the local schools in Vietnam? Private schools, not international ones, I highly doubt I could afford them on a TEFL salary

Or does anyone know other non Vietnamese kids who have gone to local schools there?

Thanks so much

[inhanoi]

Does your child speak Vietnamese? That's the language used in 'local schools." Not being sarcastic, but you should do some exploring on The New Hanoian website, lots of Q&A there on your question.

[cb400]

I would also look up the 'Hanoi International Women's Club' they would be a valuable source of info.

[naturegirl321]

[bludevil96]

While I have a good job and enjoy living in Korea, once you have a kid your clocking starts ticking because of schooling. I'm looking at other nearby countries and have read many of the posts about the quality of life in Vietnam.

I think you've answered your own question. Why leave a place you've enjoyed living; you're just asking for trouble, especially with a child in tow.

Could anyone tell me about the local schools in Vietnam? Private schools, not international ones, I highly doubt I could afford them on a TEFL salary

There are some very good Vietnamese schools (private boarding school) in HCMC but access is based on academic testing (unless you're really rich or high ranking gvt. officials). Costs are on the same level as good international schools - around 15k/YR.

Seeing what is currently going on in Hanoi and Hai Phong. I would never, ever raise my children in the north. MOD EDIT

[DNK]

"The erosion of proper culture" is a problem only in the North? I forgot smart phones, jeans and tank tops, and K pop style and music were all Vietnamese traditions "As Vietnamese as KFC," a common expression.



OP: I wouldn't bring a kid up in Vietnam - at least not in HCM, and I hear bad things about Hanoi constantly, as witnessed here. I assume at the very least it's not that different from HCM on the "livability index".

You live in a fairly modern country where people actually flush their toilet paper and don't use it as napkins and paper towels as well. Stick to that. I don't understand how Vietnam is going to be easier to afford when everyone always talks about how Korea is king for savings in absolute terms. Vietnam may be good in that for now, but in 10 or 15 years? Doubtful.

The government refuses to keep the exchange rate on track with inflation, so your USD-pegged income is going to continue to decline in relative terms (and they don't have actual inflation stats to peg to). Since I've been here, the rate has increased 10% while inflation has gone up closer to 25%.

If you get work at RMIT or a top-tier school, you can probably afford the private/int'l schools if the posters are being accurate on their costs. That's a big assumption, and an incorrect one if you don't have a Bachelor's. Otherwise, perhaps if both parents work 30-hrs a week it's doable on an otherwise tight budget.

[naturegirl321]

[DNK]

And what's the typical income in Korea, benefits included after tax?

Here, it's about $1000-2000/mo depending on hours. If you get a top-tier school, it can jump up to double, but then you have to live in one of the major cities for that, and they are NOT livable long-term, though a FEW will disagree (shortly, I assume).

Are you going to sit them in your lap as you ride your motorbike around? Perhaps you need a car, too, and the costs do start to escalate.

Probably want to live in a "nice" neighborhood - double the rent price and halve the space for Phu My Hung or the like. And then, well hey, you're living with a bunch of Koreans anyway.

[naturegirl321]

Just one kid Typical salaries in Korea are about the same. I'd say 1800 before deductions of taxes, pension, and insurance. Maybe 1200 to 1500 after that, depending. I'm hoping to get a good job though at a uni, like RMIT.

DNK, guess you'll be leaving Vietnam soon?