Job Discussion Forums

[chopwet]

I've been living and working in Vietnam for more than a year now, and although I should have thought about this a long time ago, it only really struck me last night while watching a report: how safe from dioxins is Vietnam now? I did google it but I didn't come up with any clear answers as to the current situation and whether or not I'll get affected by living here and eating/drinking local stuff (I only eat Vietnamese food, usually in small restaurants or on the street).

I know some areas like Danang were very heavily sprayed with AO during the war, but almost the entire country was/is affected.

This is pretty important because it will affect my decision to stay here longer or not! I have enjoyed my time here, Vietnam isn't the easiest place to be and I think in order to put up with the downsides you have to take a break every now and then.

I currently work at a school that offers me absolutely nothing apart from an hourly rate of U$20 per teaching hour, after tax it's about U$18 but the school pays me in VND and at their own exchange rate, which is of course always less than the current exchange rate.

I get zero paid holidays, no bonuses, no help with visas or accommodation (I have to organise everything myself), no health insurance, no flights home, no flight re-imbursement etc etc.

Am I getting a raw deal or is this the norm for most of Vietnam?

Any and all opinions most welcome

[chopwet]

So guess dioxin exposure is the least of most people's worries....

[BenE]

I think there are many things worse than Dioxin poisoning you can get from the food here.

I've been stuck in my room with diarrhea for 3 days now. I've heard people having much worse. Don't forget the pollution.

As for your wage you can get more if you look around depending on your qualifications and what you've been teaching so far. As for accommodation and flights and health insurance....well you're going to have to look really hard though some good schools offer health insurance that I know of.

Ben

[chopwet]

[chopwet]