Job Discussion Forums

[Andy123]

After being here for many years, I have seen people come and go. Most leave quietly; say nothing or little when they leave. Recently, I have known six people who are leaving or have left. They have had enough. These are not backpackers but people who have been here for many years.

Work permits, visas, Vietnam and the reduced job market have worn people out.

After being here for many years, I defiantly see an anti-foreigner attitude. The Vietnamese are a very proud people and SHOULD be proud because of their history but they are becoming more overtly xenocentric.

There is an attitude that foreigners are not good for Vietnam. This is sad. Many foreigners simply want to help, build and educate. Yes, there are bad foreigners but most want to contribute something positive.

Has the exodus begun? Are things changing?

[vietexpat2008]

I haven't noticed any anti-foreign sentiment myself, but I'm generally pretty cheerful and may be blissfully unaware. The visa thing IS causing people to go, though.

[blateson]

[breezen]

I recently registered, but have been in Vietnam for several years.

I too, have seen the changes. A lot of money is moving around in Vietnam: new buildings, new luxury cars, and high property prices.

This is fine, but I have seen a change in attitude towards foreigners in general and English teachers in particular.

The work permit situation is a mess. Getting a work permit depends on who you know, where you work, and luck. Getting a wp does not necessarily depend upon whether you have the documents/qualifications to get one.

The anti-foreigner sentiment comes across in two ways. One, in the attitude of people and even what is directly said to me and others, and two, the government regulations. The regulations are so difficult to get a wp that it seems they want it this way. More people will leave.

I am looking for new countries to teach and live in.

I will in October when my apartment lease expires.

[londo]

Agree to a point 'breezen'. They have been fed the 'developing' nation bit for so long (honestly before they even passed from 3rd world to developing stage) that many believe they are already 'developed'. Ask VN what they think of their country and they truly believe foreigners come here to see a marvel, a country steeped in culinary excellence and culture and we flock to see that marvel of retail experience...Diamond Plaza and stay in the best hotel in the world---New World Hotel...don't forget, 98% have never travelled abroad.

They are starting to believe they don't need the lower level foreigners, be they chinese labourers or unqualified English teachers, but underneath this almost understandable sentiment is the deeply held mistrust and even hatred of foreigners...no point going into a history lesson we all know why and they have a point.

What they don't understand is how far they have yet to go, and what a truly global marketplace they have chosen to enter.....the powers that be are debating this behind closed doors as we speak...wait till Feb 2011 if you can, I really believe better minds will see the way.

[khmerhit]

if you are getting fed up, there is always















C A M B O D I A
try it and see

[CThomas]

khmerhit:

Nice to see your famous mantra again

[isabel]

I'm real interested in how things have changed. I'm returning after 4 years, and I know how much can happen in 4 years in a place like Vietnam.

Give me the unvarnished good, bad and ugly. But try to have a full perspective on it. Every place has its faults- but what has gotten better? How have things improved? I read some interesting stats on the poverty rate the other day, and it is much lower than 10 years ago.

People in a developing country can take pride in their progress. Coming from the train wreck the US left behind after the war, the place is a miracle. Compare it to Cambodia, in terms of development, and you can see why some may have pride in their achievements.

[jb0072009]

Everyone is entitled to express their opinion. THEY SHOULD NOT BE CHASTISED FOR IT. There are good and bad things in Vietnam. To pretend that there are not many bad things is ignorant. As foreigners we know only a small amount what is really happening in this country. Ask any Viet in the know and they will tell you this. My Viet school sec told me that she looks at the online editions of the Thanh Nien in both English and Viet. She told me many of the bad things that are in the Viet edition are left out of the English edition.

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

An inappropriate posting addressing the messenger rather than the message has been deleted.

Repeats of same will result in severe sanctions.

[londo]

After four years there have been many changes: skyline, business, entertainment, shopping are continuously developing. Many good things are happening and some inevitable bad things: new urban poor, more systematic corruption, crime, senseless development.

As the poor flock here they find they don't have the skills needed for the new jobs and can't, won't go back home, crime, poverty follow....happens everywhere.

To suggest that this country is a haven of tranquility or if not we can't discuss it, is just BS. The VNese themselves are starting to lose patience in the largest urban areas and as long as we take off our rose-coloured glasses and discuss constructively exactly what they discuss themselves (learn VNese people...you'd be surprised what they say) then no problems.


What we can't do, unless it's amongst ourselves in private, is to discuss the 2 big Cs, C.....ism, C.....ship.

If you want to stay here, it's not because you think the VNese are the nicest folk on Earth or this country is the nicest, safest, cleanest, most hygenic on the planet, we stay here because we can make MONEY or LOVE one particular VNese or just because we quite LIKE it, warts an' all.

If you don't want to stay...go away....if you do, don't try to convince yourself or anyone else it's heaven, help them make something better.

[Mattingly]

[Mr. Kalgukshi]

2nd inappropriate posting = locked thread.