Job Discussion Forums

[Tiger Beer]

Saigon vs Shanghai?

Okay, Saigon vs Shanghai. Anyone taught in both (or been to both).

I've been to both briefly as a tourist, and like them both, but would be curious to hear other opinions comparitively.

[lf_aristotle69]

Not sure if you are still interested in this...

I worked in ShangHai for 9 months in 2002, and, after moving around China for the subsequent 5 years, I now live just down the highway in HangZhou. And, I would definitely recommend HZ over SH, BTW.

I visited HoChiMinh City (the name Saigon is no longer current) for a week in Jan/Feb 2006.

ShangHai is a breakneck pace, business city. It has pretty bad pollution (this has actually improved since 2002 IMO though) and too much car traffic (this has worsened A LOT...) but SH does have a comprehensive public transport system as well. It doesn't have many peaceful options for escaping the hustle and bustle though.

HoChiMinh City. Fast developing, 100000s of scooters (wait until they turn into cars during the next decade though...), but still has somewhat of a bygone rustic quaintness. I suggest you get there pretty quickly though as I imagine it could soon (5-10 years) be lost... depending if the VN Government goes down the Chinese path of development/modernisation at the expense of history/culture/lifestyle.

If I had the incentive to pull up stumps in China then I would choose HoChiMinh City over ShangHai any day of the week. But, I have some other factors keeping me in China at present. For one, I think learning Chinese language and culture are very important for my future, Vietnamese not so much.

Good luck,

LFA

[beck's]

I've been to both cities. Shanghai is my favourite Chinese city, after Hong Kong. It has a big city feel. It is not in the same ball park as New York or London but it does have aspirations. It's good for a visit but I don't think I'd want to live there unless I was making serious coin. A buddy of mine, who lives there, spends 2,000 RMB a month in Starbuck's.

Saigon has changed a lot in the last five years. I preferred it five years ago when it was more relaxed. Development has taken much of the city's charm away. The big sleeper is Phnom Penh. I could live there easily.

It is fairly easy to get a job in Saigon though. Teachers are making $1,700 a month. I was more or less offered a job there on the bus from Phnom Penh to Saigon during the February break. I met a woman who was managing a language school. I didn't bite. Having too good a time here in the Middle Kingdom.

A qualified teacher can spin the globe and put his finger down randomly and get a job. These are wonderful times.