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Yorks Lad
Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 93
Location: England
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 Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 2:48 pm Post subject: BC Special Project, Haiphong |
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Hi,
Does anyone have experience of the British Council's 'special project' in Haiphong? Sounds an interesting opportunity - and I imagine a great way to save some money - but I get the impression it's in the middle of nowhere. I haven't worked in Vietnam before. Any comments?
Thanks. |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 3:47 pm Post subject: |
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My sources in Hai Phong told me that a few months ago that British Council hosted interviews for Viet staff in Do Son (a filthy, lady-of-the-night-infested "resort" area about 20 kilometres South of Hai Phong City). They said that they have heard that this BC project IS NOT going to be in Hai Phong City proper (and the city proper is dull enough as it is), but rather about ten kilometres South halfway to Do Son!
I CANNOT VERIFY this.....this is just what a couple friends of mine in Hai Phong have told me! One of these friends was VERY interested in obtaining a position with this BC project and he contacted British Council. They were veeerrrrry tight-lipped, stating that they "...have no information on this project at this time."
British Council is reputable, high-end institution.....sounds like an exciting opportunity!!
....but the fact that it's inside or around Hai Phong is the deal-breaker, at least for me. |
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Yorks Lad
Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 93
Location: England
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| Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for that. The ad does say that you are based in Do Son, even though the project is called Haipong. It described it as an opportunity to experience beach life...! Is Do Son a pit? |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:48 am Post subject: |
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| Yorks Lad wrote: |
| Thanks for that. The ad does say that you are based in Do Son, even though the project is called Haipong. It described it as an opportunity to experience beach life...! Is Do Son a pit? |
WOW! The British Council said THAT about Do Son?
Having traveled to and spent enough time in Hai Phong and its environs, trust me on this.
Well....uhhhh.....let's just say that if teaching English in Do Son is an opportunity to experience beach life, then purchasing the Austin Allegro or the Yugo GV is an opportunity to experience the high-performance sports car lifestyle!!
I mean, the only acceptable and tolerable beaches anywhere near Hai Phong are Ha Long City/Bai Chay (about 90 minutes by scooter to The North), Cat Ba Island (a boat ride of anywhere from one to three hours departing Canh Ben Binh [Ben Binh Port], depending on which boat you catch) and Thinh Long (closer to Nam Dinh than anywhere else, really, but a four-hour scooter ride from Hai Phong).
Vung Tau, Nha Trang and Da Nang?? Do Son is soooooooo far away from those places in terms of quality, it is just scary.[/b] |
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Yorks Lad
Joined: 16 Aug 2009
Posts: 93
Location: England
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| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 6:27 am Post subject: |
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| They did concede that it wasn't a premium quality resort! Do you think 6 months there would be a test of anyone's sanity? Presumably Hanoi and the beaches you mentioend would be accessible at weekends.... |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 7:14 am Post subject: |
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| Yorks Lad wrote: |
They did concede that it wasn't a premium quality resort! Do you think 6 months there would be a test of anyone's sanity? Presumably Hanoi and the
beaches you mentioend would be accessible at weekends.... |
WOW! They conceded that it wasn't a "...premium quality resort"?? Wonder how many others have called BC out on this? That's prolly one of the nicer statements I have heard to describe Do Son.
Hell, Ha Noi is 2and1/2 hours by bus from Hai Phong....easy peasy. Problem being, out of my several friends that I have (and had) in Hai Phong, there are literally FOUR of them who have made it past the six-month mark....and that's in a city that has three supermarkets, five cinemas, two bars/cafes catering specifically to foreigners, an opera house, a jazz bar and a bowling alley....and the Tay (Westerners) STILL leave it in droves.....factor in that Do Son has NONE of these things, it could get dodgy and be a painful 6 months! |
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hochigene
Joined: 15 Nov 2010
Posts: 10
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| Posted: Tue Apr 12, 2011 2:41 pm Post subject: |
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I just moved to Hai Phong a few days ago to start a new teaching gig, and I have no complaints about the city so far... the only 'issue' is the relative lack of other expats here, compared to elsewhere in Vietnam. Regardless, I think it'll be a liveable place for a year or so. Cheap, cheap, cheap, and the locals are very friendly here. It's a bit refreshing to be off the tourist beat, for the moment anyway.
Have not been to Do Son, though. It's 20 min away by motorbike and could be a whole different universe... I've heard some pretty unfavorable things about it. If you want I could probably put you in touch with some people who have actually been there! |
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Kornan DeKobb
Joined: 24 Jan 2010
Posts: 242
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| Posted: Thu Apr 14, 2011 12:37 pm Post subject: |
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| Could you post a link to the ad? |
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toiyeuthitmeo
Joined: 21 May 2010
Posts: 213
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| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 1:01 am Post subject: |
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What I want to know is, what is the reason or customer base for BC to open a language centre in Do Son?
Saw this job advertised in the National English Daily the other day... I'm curious, let us know if you pursue it.
More info can be found with google search, it's on BC's site. |
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LettersAthruZ
Joined: 25 Apr 2010
Posts: 466
Location: North Viet Nam
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| Posted: Fri Apr 15, 2011 2:57 pm Post subject: |
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Saw the advert - www.britishcouncil.org/toe_haiphong_viet253.pdf
Apparently, it's teaching government officials English. Funny, given how many times the local Government Officials/Canh Sat in Hai Phong jurisdictional district (which includes Do Son) have knocked on at least two of my friend's doors, shaking them down for bribes (visually saw this in person one time as I was staying at one of my friend's place for a few days when I was in town).........
....think it would be amusing for whomever accepts this gig to go shake THEM down for bribes to get a passing grade!!!
Hai Phong is easily THEE most corrupt city in all Southeast Asia! Bar none....
There is a reason WHY the Tay stay away.....
Whilst the British Council is a very reputable organisation, before taking this position, I'd try to find a foreigner living in Hai Phong (longer than four months) and have them out for coffee or tea at a cafe and ask THEM about the city and about Do Son.....I'm sure what they tell you won't give you the warm and fuzzies..... |
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