Job Discussion Forums

[hkimball2]

can anyone give me an idea of what the average savings in HCMC and/or Hanoi is like for a new teacher w/ a CELTA & a university degree?

in looking for similar answers when asking about thailand, it seems to be ZERO.. this scares me a bit and makes me question my decision of going to thailand to teach..

thanks

[shanewarne]

It depends on the individual and what you are prepared to sacrifice. But based on a monthly average income of $1600, I would say;

If you're someone who likes to party everynight - very little

If you get a vietnamese girlfriend - very little

If you only go out at the weekends - moderate

If you only eat western food - very little/zero

If you live in a modern apartment or room in and around the city centre - very little

[Green Acres]

The only real difference is that in Thailand, you must actually pay money to work there, and in Vietnam, one can break even pretty easily.

If your family has two paychecks, you can do well. Some people have been here a long while, found gainful employment and positions, and they are doing well.

One does not wander into such positions, unfortunately. Unless you live like a hermit, and there are a few who do, breaking even is the goal!!!

[eclectic]

greenacres hit the screw on the thread! Why, unless one is an under-30 type of beatnik sniffing for tricks, would anybody want to just break even in V, let alone PAY to live in Thailand?

[withaciderinsideyer]

i hear differing reports about this all the time

some say you can save a heap

some say nothing at all

which is it, honestly ???

[AJR]

My interest in surplus income is merely to send a few hundred back home every month for credit card bills/ debt service. I am sure there is a work around, maybe paypal? Does anyone know exactly if remittances are permitted?

[inky]

It's very easy to send money from Vietnam back to your home country if you have an account in VN with a bank such as ANZ or HSBC. There are fees, of course, but the transfer is quick and simple.

[AJR]

Sweet.