Job Discussion Forums

[DublinGirl17]

Hi,

I would like to move to Vietnam this summer to work teaching english, but I am very confused about how to go about it as I am reading lots of conflicting things on the internet which is leaving me very confused! I want to do things correctly so I hope someone can help! So here it goes!

I have read that the majority of schools hire from face to face meetings (I have had no joy applying online), but I have had lots of replys saying when I get to Vietnam to call in to the office for an interview.I know that I cannot get a working visa until I am employed, so should I get a 3 month tourist visa to give myself time to find a job once I get there?

Because of the above, I do not want to book return flights incase I do get a job, otherwise the return flight will be a waste of money, is this even possible to get a 3 month hoilday visa without having a return flight?

If I do not have a return flight but i have the visa will there be trouble at the airport?

I hope someone can help clear all this up.

C x

[1st Sgt Welsh]

Hi DublinGirl17,

The vast majority of hiring is done inside the country. That's just the way it is done here. I'd get a three-month multiple entry visa to start with and then hit the pavement and try and find a job when I arrive. To teach legally you need a degree (bring the original plus transcripts), a teaching certificate (e.g. a CELTA), a police background check from your home country and a health check (but this can be done in Vietnam).

In regards, to a return ticket, it's only an issue if they ask for it and, in the vast, vast majority of cases, they don't appear to. A lot of people who are traveling in Vietnam also make their way to Cambodia and Laos via bus and boat so when they arrive here they don't have return air tickets from Vietnam either. I haven't heard of this causing any problems, but that's not to say it doesn't. Furthermore, there is no rule saying you have to return to your home country - you just have to prove an 'outward journey'. So, for example, if you could produce a cheap Air Asia ticket for a flight in three months time from Hanoi or Saigon to Bangkok that would, I'm sure, cover all the bases with immigration in case you are a little bit nervous about it.

[DublinGirl17]

Hi Sgt Welsh,

Thanks a million for clearing that up - I was actually thinking of that, buying a cheap air ticket to Cambodia just in case.

I have no problem visiting schools when I arrive, hopefully it will all work out for me. As far as I can see, this seems to be the best way of finding a job.

Thanks again

[vabeckele]

What the Sarge, said.

I only had a one way ticket. One thing that confused me in the beginning was the visa. I could not (and still can't) figure out how a 3 month business visa is issued to tourists. However, this is the norm, just apply for the 3 month multiple entry visa and you will get it. Don't be surprised if you get a confirmation email with a list of other people on it (that is if you do it online). This too is normal and take it with you.

Have a picture or two ready at the airport and fill out a precursory form, pay the guy his 50 bucks and off you go.

Even if you have no degree or a super special 4 week teaching cert. you will find work, lots of it. Especially if you can deal with kids.

[DublinGirl17]

Thanks Vabeckele,

It is SO confusing reading up about the different visas! And the internet has too much information, great to hear from people who have been there, done that!

Also good to hear that there is plenty of work.

[1st Sgt Welsh]

[vabeckele]

Sorry, Sarge, and Dublingirl17.

Oh, and well caught, Sarge.

If you have been to the Vietnamese embassy in your home country you will not have to pay the 50 dollar fee as the visa will already be in your passport and paid for.

If, however you come with a visa-on-arrival you pay firstly for the service of getting the information ready at your port of entry and then on arrival, pay for the actual visa stamp to be stamped, on the spot. Which is 50 dollars, I think for the 3 month multiple entry.

[pid]

Hi Dublingirl. I take it you're Irish? I'm from Leitrim/Dublin and I'm arriving in Hanoi on the 1st September and starting a CELTA course on the 9th.

What are your plans in general? Have you taught ESL before?

I'm interested in seeing how you get on. Quite a few people on here have a negative opinion on the ESL situation in Vietnam, though anyone I've spoken to in real life seems to love it.

Patrick

[TRH]

I had to buy a r/t ticket when I came but I am 99% sure that was airline policy and not VN government policy. The airline does not want to be obligated to haul you back for free if you get turned away by immigration at the airport. You might want to see what the price difference is between one way and round trip. Often the difference is minimal. Maybe it is no more than that Hanoi>Bangkok ticket you were thinking about.

I knew about visa on arrival but chose not to use it. Somehow I feel a little better getting on a plane with the visa already glued into my passport. I guess it's a lot like electronic tickets. They were scary when they first came out but now we are all used to them.

[VietCanada]

The title of this thread started me on a search for an antonym for oxymoron. Tautology maybe but that's not a very interesting word. Pleonasm was offered. Too obscure.

I came here with a tourist visa from a VN embassy and a one way ticket. That was just over four years ago. I was surprised to find that I could enter on a one way ticket but I think a lot of tourists could use this place as a starting point to explore the whole region and probably exit by train, bus or motorbike. Maybe even by sea.

I changed my visa after I had work and after the three months validity was up.

[Prof.Gringo]

[kurtz]

[TRH]

[kurtz]

[Oh My God]