Job Discussion Forums

[chaz47]

Hi Vietnam board! I've been home in the US for a few months after finishing a 10 year stint in Korea. The pay was stagnating even though most things at my school were pretty good. It's been a nice visit home as well, but the US is way more "interesting" than I would prefer and winter is coming...

Anyway, a few questions for you all:
1.) With a BA + TEFL + 10 years of experience what are my options?
2.) What are the general pollution levels like in Danang and could I find work there with my present credentials?
3.) How expensive is organic, gluten-free, etc. food there? After 10 years of instant noodles my digestion is terrible and I've been trying to eat healthier.
4.) I just turned 41 and have a decent vacation beard going. Is this going to complicate finding work? Additionally, is there a strict dress code in many places? I don't want to "suit up" in SE Asia.

Much thanks in advance.

[ExpatLuke]

1) Options are any language school or bilingual school. You won't be able to work in the international schools without a teaching license.

2) Air quality in Danang is great. Danang is known for being one of Vietnam's cleanest cities.

3) Not sure about food options, but going gluten free does nothing for your body unless you're gluten intolerant and have been diagnosed with ciliac disease. The gluten free fad of the last few years is just ignorant people trying to feel special.

4) Yes, a scruffy beard and being above the standard age range will both hurt your options. Vietnam is a Confucian society, which highly respects teachers and educators. You're expected to fit a certain image. And while that is quickly changing, almost every place will expect button-up shits, dress pants, and socks in the workplace. Some will require ties too, but none will require suits.

[skarper]

You might not like my answers but I believe honesty is the best policy.

Your experience in Korea has little relevance to Vietnam. Conditions are different. The jobs are different. I spent time in Korea too so I know both markets.

I assume your TEFL is not a CELTA or equiv. As such it has very limited value. The work permit granting authorities will recognize pretty much any TEFL cert BUT the very few employers who will do their part of the process will only accept a CELTA or equiv.

A BSc is necessary for a WP but does not guarantee a job.

In general you have the same options as a newbie right out of university. Entry level gigs making around 20USD an hour with no benefits, no WP, no help with visas.

Danang is generally reckoned the best place to live of the major cities- Nice balance of convenience and relative tranquility. As such supply of willing teachers VASTLY outstrips supply of jobs/work. People tend to start on 5-10 hours a week and gradually build up to almost 20. This will be 2 heavy weekends and most evenings. There is little daytime work on weekdays unless you work for a dispatch company that has you going in to elementary schools to stand in for the class teacher while she takes a nap...even the better schools are getting in on this scam so beware of it when signing a contract.

Unusual food can be bought in DaNang but is still quite pricey. It depends how much you need to buy. If you can eat the normal local food mostly and just have one meal a day of your special stuff that would be feasible. If you have to eat organic, gluten free all the time I would be wary of spending all your money on that.

Your age is not a problem. I would shave your beard though. Partly to be more clean cut and 'employable' looking but mainly because it's hot and sweaty and a beard will itch. I grow a few weeks beard now and then when I have some time off but would not want to keep it. Besides, if you work with small kids they will try to pull it [and you will almost certainly work with small kids at some point].

Dress code? The better places expect shirt, trousers and tie. Jackets are rarely worn. Some places you can substitute a polo shirt - often they will provide you with their uniform polo shirt with logo.

Bottom line is with your profile I would start off in HaNoi or HCMC and then move to somewhere nicer after 6-12 months. Some people do land on their feet in places like DaNang but many do not and end up in trouble.

If you have stacks of cash saved from Korea [after 10 years you really ought to have heaps] you can get away with moving straight to DaNang but might spend 500-1000 USD per month more than you make for the first year or so. It depends how you want to live and how much you spend. Living on the income from 10 hours teacher a week [say 180USD] would be tight. If you can afford to do that then no worries.

A caveat is that I tend to discourage newcomers from moving to Vietnam in general and to DaNang in particular. The market is getting saturated, pay and conditions are falling and the dong is ripe for another devaluation.

There is also a lot of trouble coming with China which could get messy.

Partly I'm trying to counter the hype you find in adverts for several of the major employers.

[Mattingly]