Job Discussion Forums

[saturner28]

I have just started to apply to companies and schools in Vietnam and some of them have an online application. Normally, I would just go ahead and apply. However, on some of them, they are asking for my passport info. These websites do not have the secure lock symbol that others do. So it raised a red flag in my mind. Is this typical to have un-secure websites of schools to ask for that info. in the initial application? or Am I seeing a red flag issue? Does anyone have any advice or insight on this?

[MrMrLuckyKhan]

[Minella]

I just had a job offer from a school in Vietnam. They told me on the day of my arrival they will place me in a hotel for 1 day and then help me find an accommodation straight away. I am not so sure why they do this in the first place. And I am not sure if the flat they find is reasonably nice. (as in clean and decent). Has anyone experienced this before? Also, do I need to have any shots for any diseases? I asked about this to the school but they said I won't need to have any shots. I still want to be on the safe side though...

Any ideas?

[snollygoster]

Ots usual for schools to put you up in a hotel first night. As to after that, the choice is yours. Schools usually dont have flats etc, but can make arrangements with agents etc- They usually will show you a few to choose from. Depends where you are going, but I suggest (long years of experience) you stay in a hotel for a while until you get your bearings. It may cost you about $300-$400 for a month, but they are usually clean, offer free breakfasts, a maid will clean your room. they are air con and with cable TV, and its usually a safe environment.
After you are settled, then its YOU who finds and chooses the accommodation-There is plenty ranging from dumps for next to nothing (with cockroaches) to high end apartments and villas at prices a teacher coukld not afford. Most find suitable-if you are single, a great plan is to hiouse share with some of your work colleagues- Most Vietnamese houses have self contained bedrooms with bath-room etc-so its like a little flatette, and the kitchen is usually shared.
Shots? Covered elsewhere-My suggestion is dont have any, but thats up to you.

[Minella]

Thank you for your advice. Well the school is supposed to find me a flat the next day and they say the prices range from 150 USD-170 USD. Are these the prices for the flats next to dumps? lol. hope not

[mark_in_saigon]

I have never seen a vn dump, (I mean, a big one) but I would love to, I bet that is a fascinating experience. One of the features of HCMC is that it is hard to define "dump", like we think, a place where garbage is dumped. Garbage is dumped in so many places, I do not want to be the one to say the entire city is a dump, as I do love HCMC, but, garbage is dumped in many, many places. Perhaps they just spread it around in smaller piles, and do not have real dumps, but I suspect they do, and hope to see one someday, if it is not hazardous to the health to get close to it. I read once about a monster dump in the middle east somewhere that was so big, it was like a mountain, then a large part of it broke off and fell into the sea, for some reason it was next to the ocean. I'll bet there is some garbage mountain here somewhere, perhaps it should be a tourist destination. Everywhere I go, you cannot be too squeamish about garbage here, regardless of the price you pay, it seems to be everywhere.

[Minella]

Oh I'm used to seeing dumps in every corner of the street, here in Turkey. That's where I'm from. I guess Vietnam won't be any different when it comes to the dumps Vietnam here I come!

[Hasna]

Minella, are you moving from Turkey to Vietnam soon as well?? It's a rather unusual move, I thought I was the only one I don't have enough posts yet to PM, but if you can PM me, please do! I'd love to chat!
Not sure when I'm leaving, but it looks as though I'll be in Saigon by the end of September. I'm currently in Bahcesehir.