Job Discussion Forums

[Ramen]

In 2005, schools only needed your warm body and a resume/CV. But I guess things have changed in Vietnam like other Asian neighbors.

I'm bringing three documents to apply for a job in Vietnam: Original degree, TESOL certificate, and FBI background check.

Am I forgetting anything before I get on the EFL gravy train?

I hope to see some of the ole' timers in Vietnam. I hope the 'underground' is still there.

[RustyShackleford]

Just got a couple of jobs here (within a week no less!) and that's all I needed to get them. Just make sure the criminal check is current. You can get them notarized at your local embassy/consulate without needing to do all the apostille stuff that was required in the past apparently.

[Ramen]

[RustyShackleford]

Well it certainly isn't as organized nor strict as Japan (and presumably Korea) is. Others on here know far far more about the scene here than I do and I've only done a single day of actual work thus far, so I'd rather let them do more of the talking. So far though, everything seems pretty legit, or at least as legitimate as a comparable operation in Japan.

The bitter but still nuanced opinion of a disillusioned former teacher in Vietnam can be seen [url=mike-alongthemekong.blogspot.com/2012/03/esl-myth.html]here[/url].

[Tigerstyleone]

[Ramen]

[RustyShackleford]

Try craigslist or expat-blog for selling and such. Don't think you're gonna get very far for that here. Ask any reputable locals you may know as well.

While many expats seem deathly afraid of dealing with Vietnamese in any business context (and given how many bad experiences one can face here, I don't really blame them), you'll find some good deals with honest people. I looked at a place in D5 that, while functional, was quite inconvenient and dirty for ~$300.

I showed the place to a local I knew and she immediately hooked me up with a place at half the price and much much much much cleaner. As a sharehouse it's not ideal for a party pad but, really, for a clean bed and room with occasional freshly cooked dinner, I am in no position nor mood to complain.

Will comment on how teachers are treated as I continue my new career here.

[ExpatLuke]

Teachers are treated fine if you pick and choose a decent school to work for. If you are professional, you will be treated professionally. If you work at a random language mill for low pay and no required documents, you will be ripped off, taken advantage of, and pushed around.

Beware some of the members on the board like Tigerstyleone. They seem to have given up on the whole giving advice part of the forums and only log on to vent their frustrations and personal issues. A few of them have been banned recently.

[Tigerstyleone]

[Demonietto]

We're making our way through the authentication chain here in HCMC. VUS told us to just have all the originals sent here. We just got our affidavit from the US consulate (one for all 3 docs) and are waiting for the Dept of Foreign Affairs 3 hour break to end so we can get the seal authenticated. We then take it to the State Notary Public's Office for translation.

My question: at which point should we get multiple copies? We're working for two different companies and will need 2 work permits. I think it's either at the DFA or the translating level, just seeing what you guys have to say. I saw it addressed in a previous post but couldn't find it again. Thanks!

[TRH]

[Demonietto]

VUS will reimburse me $300 upon successful completion of getting my work permit. Compass Education will reimburse $200. So far I have payed $50 for one affidavit from the US Consulate that certifies my BA, TEFL and criminal check ($20 in the states) are 'True and correct.'. We dropped those off at the VN Dept. Of Foreign Affairs, where the US Consulate seal is getting verified. This involved them making a copy of each of my docs plus the affidavit. This costs 30k VND per document (the one affidavit). This is where I am attempting to get two certified copies, but am not sure how it will work out. They keep the copy packet and the originals, so here's hoping I get everything back. There is also a health check to do, which VUS has estimated to cost between 900k and 2.1mil. In Thailand the health check was 10 bucks, so I'm going to look into that further.

Update later.

[Professional TEFLer]

[Ramen]

@prof. Tefler: I'm just going to bring my original documents without notary/apostile/authentication. If the school and/or viet gov't require RED stamps, I assume they can make copies and do whatever they want to do with them.

From my past experience, I just know that they love to see lots and lots RED stamps on documents = you paid enough money to be worthy to work and live in Vietnam.

[vabeckele]