Job Discussion Forums

Mr. Kalgukshi · Posted: Mon Sep 04, 2006 10:29 am Post subject: Suggestion

Friendly suggestion: Stay on topic and make your points without attacking each other. If the ad hominem stuff continues, this thread will not.

Micro67 · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 297 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

I've lived here for a while now and would prefer to live in a smaller community, but it hasn't really been feasible. The work is available in Saigon and there is plenty.

There is work to be had in Vung Tau, Danang, Phan Thiet, Can Tho, Hai Phong and many smaller communities, but until now it has usually been one or maybe two schools and those often are not the best run schools (Case in point SITC), but I think that is changing now.

just noel · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 168

The work permit is turning out to be a nightmare.

One of my pieces of paperwork has been lost and now the school I am at says I never gave it to them!

Schools are also using the lack of a work permit to push wages down.

ChuckECheese · Joined: 28 Jul 2006 Posts: 216

gulam2 · Joined: 19 May 2005 Posts: 137

Having spent two stints teaching in Vietnam, 3 in China, 3 in Thailand
and 1 in Malaysia (Gulf, Africa,Europe etc aswell).
I would say Vietnam is certainly the place where you are most likely to be "ripped - off". The people are also the least friendly (except the Malays).
Women - When I first went to Thailand I thought it was Paradize and I still
think it is great. But after three Thai girl friends and thousands of dollars
I am a bit wiser.
I actually found the women in China the most available and sexually turned on. Chinese women do not have the religious hang-ups of so many other countries. The 18-25 year olds (apart from the hookers) are not for the most part available - they are virgins - saving it for the big day.
But then they get married have a kid, and its all over, the husbands lose interest and go to the brothels. The middle age women in China are something else, they have saved there sex, and then very quickly its all over. China is certainly for me the country where the women are the most available.
Vietnam in all things was a big disappointment for me, I love Cambodia and Thailand (Although I will admit I am not very keen on Laos).
Vietnam is the only country in the world of the many I have been to where I was actually ripped of big time (apart from the girlfriends in Thailand ofcourse).
Vietnam - Traffic - I know at least two expats that cannot walk again without a limp
because of accidents with motorbikes. Bangkok is dangerous on a bike
HCMC is just pure madness.
I also found Hanoi and HCMC a lot more expensive than Bangkok.
Honesty
UK 70% honest
Thailand 40% honest (evasive)
China -100% (they wake up telling lies)
Vietnam -120%

Only a subjective view.!!!!

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

I'm curious about the work visa problem some have mentioned. I understand if you are working legally with a contract for a year it could be a hassle - I think?

When I was in Saigon 2 years ago though I just bought a 6 month "work visa" from a travel agent for about $125 USD (about 2 million VND). It seemed easy enough and not a hassle.
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I agree with poster about the dishonesty. Still, there did seem to be a good few normal women there, not prostitute types, interested in foreign guys mainly because we had the cash. It isn't prostitution I suppose, but since she is poor and you are not, with ten times or more cash, you can expect to pay for everything.

countdown · Joined: 15 Jul 2004 Posts: 70

Work permit and work visa are 2 different things. The visa allows you to stay in the country and the permit allows you to work in the country. The bigger schools are targeted but can pay the appropriate people to either get the permit or get around the permit but they also use the fact that a lot of teachers don't have the necessary paperwork to get a permit as an excuse to fire them.
The work permit is only good for one school and can't be transferred and as you probably know - most teachers work at more than one school. No one really has a satisfactory solution to this problem other than the usual - ignore it.
It only gets more challenging to live and work here - quite a few teachers have moved on but newbies keep arriving and the wheels keep turning!!!

Blade · Joined: 17 Mar 2005 Posts: 44