Job Discussion Forums

[aTomsLife]

I've read through this board and am a bit surprised there aren't more topics comparing Hanoi's classrooms with HCM's. (Though perhaps I'm just not searching properly).

My impression thus far is that students in Hanoi are altogether more diligent and expect a serious teacher, whereas HCM's environment requires one be especially fun, almost like a babysitter, playing games and the like. Can anyone confirm?

If so, I think Hanoi's the place for me.

Though I know there are a lot of factors to consider, I think teaching-environment trumps things like nightlife and weather. (Note: I'm aware of the midnight curfew and, compared to NYC, Hanoi's winters are NOT cold.)

Still, what's this I hear about Hanoi being especially loud? Is this to mean there aren't any quiet areas, places where a guy can sleep-in, or read and write without being disturbed? I find that hard to believe.

Thanks in advance for your time

[haller_79]

Hanoi is loud because of the motorbikes, they are literally everywhere and relentless. There's too many people in Hanoi. It would have been a great place to live 100 years ago. I suppose as a New Yorker you would be used to crowds, although New York was always meant to be a 'big city' whereas Hanoi was built more like a village.

[tefl peasant]

I've lived in Hanoi and Saigon.

I don't bother with the "comparisons." They are two different cities. Some differences of course, are noticeable. But I don't really pay attention.

I do agree that the students in Hanoi in general, are much stronger students.

[tefl peasant]

I've lived in Hanoi and Saigon.

I don't bother with the "comparisons." They are two different cities. Some differences of course, are noticeable. But I don't really pay attention.

I do agree that the students in Hanoi in general, are much stronger students.

[aTomsLife]

Thanks for your replies. After a bit more research, it seems the real issue with Hanoi's weather is average sunlight totals, or lack thereof, rather. I compared with Seattle -- a U.S. city known for its overcast skies -- and apparently Hanoi is twice as cloudy.

At the risk of contradicting myself, that's probably a dealbreaker. Without enough light I become lethargic and, admittedly, somewhat depressed.

Too bad: I liked the idea of teaching serious students, but not at the expense of my mental health.

[tefl peasant]

[snollygoster]

Hanoi- Students DEFINATELY more committed- Want value for money.
Weather- Hanoi is deplorable at times-little sunshine, cool drizzly winters
Traffic- Hanoi is bad- small streets made for ox carts clogged with car drivers who dont have the slightest idea of how to drive anything more than a bicycle. HCMC has much wider streets hence can handle cars better.
Noise? Hanoi is definately a city of NOISE NOISE NOISE. Not only the bikes on the street! The people shout-they dont talk-kids scream- TVs are superglued to 10/10 on the volume knob, and everyone wants to sing Karoake too loud in their own homes- loud enough to drown out the TV or stereo from next door. Dogs barking all the time. I personally know of a teacher who was sent home because he could not sleep due to the noise- he was on the verge of going crazy.
Quiet spots? There must be some, but any I have found dont last long-they soon get over run with people yelling at each other, playing music on their mobile phones when they arent shouting into them so loud I wonder why they have one, kids screaming, bikes revving up.
Hanoi is a good place to be deaf!

[deadlift]

I've not taught in Hanoi, but I've taught a number of adult students from Hanoi, down here in HCMC. I agree that they're very motivated and hard working students, particularly in comparison to the spoiled rich kids I sometimes work with.

However, I have also found them to be very stubborn and obstinate at times. If things are not done their way they'll be unhappy, and you'll know about it. One woman would always mess up any reading activity, by opening the dictionary at the first unfamiliar word, and puzzling over it for five minutes, totally disregarding context.

No matter how much I tried to explain that this would hurt her in the exams, this was how she did it, end of story.

[Kornan DeKobb]

My teaching in Saigon was limited altho I lived there a couple months.

I'd have to give the advantage in livability to Saigon. As a human being, you may be interested in eating. It is hard to eat in Hanoi without spending a fortune, at least in the beginning.

I first arrived from Haiphong and made the mistake of taking the lunchtime bus - without having eaten lunch first. After checking in at my hotel in the center of town (Pho Hue), I walked around in search of a restaurant. I was starving. After AN HOUR, I ended up back at the hotel begging to please be directed to the nearest restaurant.

The problem was also that it was not mealtime. Most local places are virtual, i.e. they appear at mealtimes and disappear in between. God help you if you are hungry at 1:15pm. For $10-20 you can easily find a meal most anytime. For $2-3, you have to know where to go.

A tourist guide sometime back rated Hanoi as one of the hardest cities for foreigners. Another thing much worse here than Saigon is the ripoff of Westerners. They'll change the bills right in front of you.

And English speakers are harder to find here as well, making everything more difficult. But the advantages are that it is cooler and prettier.

There are fewer malls in Hanoi, too, a disadvantage if you like to walk and do stairs in them like I do instead of out in the pollution.

Right now I feel like I'd like to be back in Saigon. After a couple months of the heat however I'd probably be wanting Hanoi again. Can't win.

[toiyeuthitmeo]

How about the travel factor? If you're the type who is able to enjoy the odd 2-3 day holiday now and then, Hanoi has a lot more to offer in terms of short trips to interesting places.

[BrentBlack]

Saigon is like shakedown at a music festival...its F-U-N!!!

[tefl peasant]

Saigon can be fun, if you know where to look.

But in recent years, things have changed. Not complaining, but it's not a cheap city anymore, but actually quite expensive.

You can have fun, but if you teaching make sure you do a year and move on with your life.

[timbakero]

Kornan DeKobb - Where have you been eating? $10-20! It's easy to eat out in Hanoi for $1- just look for the people eating pho. I agree that some of the street place disappear at 1 or 2pm but there are still plenty of cheap eats to be found where you won't spend more than $3.

aTomsLife - I wouldn't worry about the midnight curfew either; many places will stay open until the last person leaves.

[Kornan DeKobb]

[sigmoid]