Job Discussion Forums

[jgmodlin]

I was wondering if anyone can weigh in on what it is like bringing a spouse and a child/children to Vietnam. My wife, Japanese, and I are expecting our first soon and have given serious consideration to moving to s.e. Asia. We both enjoyed visiting Vietnam a couple of years ago and it sounds like the best mix of money to cost of living.

My wife is pretty adventurous and likes the idea of us moving back to Asia from here in the USA so that she can be closer to family in Japan and experience something new. I am currently teaching public high school ESL and would like to put my teacher's certification and previous Japanese TEFL experience to work.

Anyway, let me know what your experiences have been. With all those motorcycles whizzing around, did you feel safe enough getting around with wife and small children? Is there any advantage to either Hanoi or HCMC as far as family life goes? If you left a middle class job in your home country did you worry about imposing financial hardship or neglecting future savings?

I am also posting this on Taiwan's forum as we had considered it as an option as well.

[ajc19810]

Vietnam is a relatively safe place, but I would seriously consider not taking your child on a bike. There is no way around it, the roads in Vietnam are not safe. I never ride my nieces or nephews on my bike. I always cab it or take the car but others dont always have that option. The bus system here is actually pretty good for getting around town as in there are lots of buses and you never have to wait too long. Just be careful when getting on and off as they tend not to stop. And it only cost 3000vnd about 20cents.

Saigon has good hospitals which is a big plus especially when children come into play.

Leaving a good job is never easy, but its good to have a change. Just keep adding to your retirement fund while living and working abroad that eases my mind, while it is nowhere near what I would be contributing if i were working in Aus at least its something. And it all adds up.

You also might want to think about the pollution here too.

[jgmodlin]

Thank you very much for your take on Vietnam and safety concerns. That sounds like good advice on avoiding bikes with a kid. I hadn't realized buses were that cheap and plentiful. That is good to hear.
Yes, you are right about continuing to contribute to a retirment fund while working overseas. I managed to always save and to max out my annual Roth IRA contributions (a self-directed retirement plan here in the US) while I was in Japan.
What sort of housing would I be able to afford with a few good teaching gigs put together? Are there homes for rent or are most rentals just flats? Most of the talk of housing on the Vietnam forum is geared towards small bachelor pads and guest houses. I definitely don't mind putting in the hours. While I was in Tokyo I routinely worked 40 hours of billed teaching time. Many of my friends thought I was nuts, but I liked to save and keep my sanity with the semi-annual week somewhere nice. In Japan this sort of lifestyle had me in a two bedroom apartment about a 20 minute train ride out from the city.

[ajc19810]

First you should get someone to help find a place (Vietnamese). The houses are pretty funky in Vietnam usually very similar in style 4m wide 15m long kind of deal but they can vary.

Most of my mates are renting 2 or 3 bedroom houses, 3 or 4 floors, 2 bathrooms some with rooftop terraces, a kitchen, usually smallish bathrooms but all in all very livable. (motorbikes go in the living room at the end of the night). Something like that goes for around 5million -10million VND/month. Some houses have furniture e.g beds and maybe a sofa. Some dont all depends on the owner. These kind of houses are available all over the city.

I rent beside the beach a 2 bedroom detached house for 2 million / month.

Otherwsie go for an apartment. There are plenty available all over the place. They will set you back more, but you can still get a good deal. There is place called Phu My Hung which is a big condo development, which is great for kids and safe. If you head down there, there are real estate agents that can help you, but for a cheaper deal check out the notice board with people personally renting out their place. A nice apartment in most areas not just in Phu My Hung will be upwards of $600/ month.