Job Discussion Forums

[Slippy]

Cheers Snolly, Ill take a look

Slippy

[sigmoid]

Life in Viet Nam is rough. There's litltle appreciation for comfort, convenience, quality or pleasure. Standards of safety and sanitation are low.

This is reflected in most schools whch are under-maintained, under-resourced and poorly managed.

There's not much to do. Overall, it's pretty boring. Under duress, many teachers turn to drink or experiment with narcotics. Most talk in the teachers room [if you're lucky enough to have one] revolves around drinking, hangovers, motorbike crashes and injuries, getting robbed/scammed/ripped-off...

There is still money to be made and the free wifi is usually good. Work is generally easy to find as teachers are always coming and going. But the cost of living is, like in most places, going up.

[efemmera]

Do you mind me asking which part of Viet Nam you are referring to? Have you lived in one area you don't like or have you tried several?

[Green Acres]

efemmera....you are going to have your world rocked, and it won't matter what anyone tells you or says. Good luck.

[lucreziaborgia]

I think Sigmoid's comments are accurate. After 3 years living in many different areas of Vietnam, I am ready to leave. It's been a rich and interesting experience but things have changed dramatically during the 3 years I have been here. The level of greed and ruthlessness of many local people makes it difficult to feel affection for them or build relationships with them. My belief is that the Vietnamese have taken the worst aspects of Western capitalism and ignored the lessons of history. Hanoi is probably worse than elsewhere in the country although Hue follows a close second. Much frustration is caused because the country has developed rapidly; and left much of the population behind. Training in business processes is inadequate hence frustration and distrust ensures.
The worse aspect of living here is that people will lie, deceive, weave and duck to avoid responsibility for their mistakes and this applies to every aspect of life. The 'face saving' dimension of doing business and maintaining relationships is a paradox because every time a person lies ( and most lies are transparent) they lose face. This fact does not seem to have been realised by the people.
There are fabulous Vietnamese people but they are over the age of 50 (in my experience, that is). Younger Vietnamese are hell-bent on accumulating riches beyond the dreams of avarice. Many of the children are likewise materialistic and believe they are entitled; they are not charming and innocent irrespective of their exquisite beauty. Many have behavioural problems due to lack of family life combined with a diet of Western fast food and relentless competiveness.
I believe, the days of a satisfying working life as an English teacher here are over. New language schools are being opened by Vietnamese owners who are not interested in education; but profit. We all know this is the case with the TEFL industry everywhere in the world but I don't think we've seen anything yet. At least with the behemoths such as Apollo, Language link, ILA and RMIT teachers could depend on consistency especially where salaries and meeting conditions of contract were concerned. Exceptions apply, of course.
There is a deep resentment over native English teachers' salaries which is ridiculous given that we are precisely that: native English speakers! A native Vietnamese speaker would be paid more than a Vietnemese L2 speaker in my country of origin - as a Vietnamese language teacher.
However, for a bask in the sun, drinking the days and nights away and being enchanted by the locals this country may well be unbeatable. Until it isn't; and that awareness could come in many forms. Some you may never have considered.
I am willing to leave now and I doubt I will return.