Job Discussion Forums

[StayingPower]

Taiwan: Jobs unpredictably pretentious, food flop-on rice, apartments brick wall views; landlords low, employers imperiously insane. Scenery slop-stop food stalls and scooters choking all.

Smiles on the faces cheap, but sweet, well-mannered and civilized but born to criticize. Felt inspiration from the river parks for a while, but felt nothing more after going around the bend, other than a dead dog drowned in a garbage bag in the end.

Describe life in Vietnam.

Is there a rainbow there with a pot of gold?

How much can you save each month when you get old?

What is it you were, and weren't, told?

[shanewarne]

Same same but different.

You can make a couple of thousand bucks here and save 3/4 if you live like a hermit.

[AmanJivan]

Having spent time in Taiwan, I found your description of life there both witty and with merit

[tefl peasant]

[StayingPower]

[tefl peasant]

Other options?

It means leaving Vietnam for other places.

In many cases, this means home-country. Yes, the economy is slow.

But better to change than to ponder on internet forums.

[blateson]

The life in Vietnam isn't so good. Extremely crowded place and generally chaotic.

Common complaints from others are that life gets very repetitive after a week in the country, the cities shut down by 9 or 10 and hibernate after midnight. Ripoffs are rampant and shopworkers don't even hide it, locals often like to stand right up next to you. Traffic is out of control and getting worse, with a leadership that still isn't really doing anything about it. The roads are paved but there is a distinct lack of civility at times. On first impression the Viets are a little more polite than the Chinese, but that illusion only lasts about a half day before reality sets in.

The hourly wage is 'decent' at about $15 an hour avg, about $1300 to 1400 a month on full time schedule after taxes, assuming the school doesn't screw you around by chipping away at your hours - Vietnamese integrity on that matter cannot be relied on. I don't take any seriousness at all posters who claim two grand a month or better. Back before all these work permit and visa entanglements some would work two jobs (1 morn/aft, 1 eve) which is how they would hit two grand, but the insanity of driving back and forth across town everyday in such streets is brutal and will likely tire people out quicker. Rent prices are pushing extortionate and selection is not impressive if not terrible.

It is common knowledge, especially among the single guys and freer folks, that expats jump over to Cambodia or Thailand during any holiday breaks, where a better lifestyle can be had, but job postings and pay are poor and lower. Assuming a guy had money saved in the bank, the latter two countries would be the only recommendation for living and part-time work, giving Vietnam a miss.

[Sudz]

^ 2000 is not a stretch at all. I make more than this at one job - as do quite a few others I know

[Sudz]

after 'taxes' (which the school pays for)