Job Discussion Forums

[rico4444]

I'd like to get some info on both of the above-mentioned topics.

I've been offered a contract at VMG (Vietnam American Education Group). Their headquarters is in HCMC but they also have 2 other schools in Bien Hoa and Danang. Has anyone every heard of them? I'd like to get some info (good and/or bad) before I sign anything.

2nd question......my job will be in Bien Hoa, close enough to HCMC if I want some city atmosphere, but far enough away (20 km.) to feel less urbanized. Can anyone offer any insight into life in Bien Hoa?

Any and all info will be much appreciated.

[mark_in_saigon]

You might add some more info on yourself. If you are in VN, you can do most of this investigation yourself. If you are not, folks will often warn you about getting into any deal without looking it over in real life first. So, you may want to consider that. Not trying to be rude, but the employers usually want to see you in real life, for good reasons, and you should also want to see them first, for equally good reasons.

I never felt that Bien Hoa was less urbanized on my few times up there. You can probably find the density tables somewhere, they may tell the story on that, if it was less urbanized, I think it would not be so much that it would make much difference. The main things that stand out to me about B H are -
1 - like any outlying area, there are less westerners there, which is usually a good thing, as so many of our guys seem to act in ways that eventually cause the VN to lose their love for us.

2 - B H was the final destination for a lot of southerners who were resisting the takeover, which led to a couple of results. There is a pretty large proportion of people who still have this feeling that we westerners are their natural allies. Also, the area was discriminated against due to this, so it may still have a higher level of need than HCMC, which if you think need is a good thing, then it may be a good thing.

Of course, whatever you do, wherever you go here, your mileage can vary enormously just depending on you, how you relate to all the things which are so foreign to us. One man's opportunity is another man's bane.

[Andy123]

It is a beautiful little city with much history. The river and its hills are breath taking.

Not much there. I knew of two westerners that taught there. Very quiet and everything closes down early. I am sure you will be the talk of the town and every move will be noted.

As far as the drive to HCM it can a bit hazzardous and it is a good hour and a half drive depending on traffic. I have driven it several times. The highway can be a killer so keep your eyes open.

[mark_in_saigon]

Everything is relative of course. No one can say what the exact population of any of these cities is, but Bien Hoa seems to be getting close to about a million, and it is also on track to just be a contiguous part of the greater HCMC area. I suspect at this point, one would not be "the talk of the town". Of course, any time you are anywhere, they do notice you, but I doubt if all 850,000 or whatever it is would have you on their radar screens. I do agree that compared to HCMC, there is a smaller ratio of westerners, which I think is a good thing, unless hanging out with your fellow westerners is important to you.

[bobpen]

Mark, I'd imagine Andy's got it about right. Even in district 1, HCMC, I sometimes timed my moves and took or avoided certain hems (alleys) or roads if I didn't feel like getting the stares and having more credentials added to my gossip resume. Some of us are just more observant of these kinds of things. On my limited number of trips to the 'countryside' it only seemed to magnify, at times.

[mark_in_saigon]

We are all entitled to our opinions. I stand by mine, which is that in a city of almost a million people, no one guy is going to be the talk of the town unless he has a much higher profile than that of merely teaching English. Yeah, maybe everyone on his street will know who he is, maybe even within a block. But the whole town? Seriously? My opinion: no way. Observant? Do you think it is not obvious to all of us that they are watching? If you are doing something you do not want noted by your neighbors, yeah, do it in another part of town. But you have to be doing something pretty out of the ordinary to be the talk of the town in a city of almost a million that abuts a city of about 8 or 10 million. I imagine that former rock star who ended up in prison reached that level, I don't think most of us can aspire to that.

[bobpen]

[mark_in_saigon]

Are you sure you are not talking about gossip among the neighbors? "Talk of the town" implies that the interest is citywide (town), which is quite different. Just like nationwide or worldwide imply something else (an entire nation, or the whole world). I get about a block and a half away from my area and they do not know who I am, which would be an area about 1/100th the size of Bien Hoa. You guys must be doing some seriously wild stuff to think you are going to be gossiped over by almost a million people. I am doing good to have a thousand or so know who I am.

[rico4444]

Thnaks everyone for the comments and insight. I have a much better understanding of BH and VN in general, but of course I'll have to truly "live it" in order to appreciate or understand it.

Getting back to the original question, does anyone know anything about VMG, the school that offered me the contract?

[mark_in_saigon]

AEG Vietnam is the country�s premier education consultancy

I love statements like that, which is on their website. Very hard to believe, but certainly sounds great. Also right up there on top is a bunch of dates about events to happen, IN 2010! Just cruise their site, you will see stuff like that. Look at the second page, this depiction of students does not include anyone who is obviously Asian. What does it all mean? Who knows? I would be very loathe to commit to ANY organization here without looking them over in real life, and even then knowing that there is always a good likelihood that it will crater, and I will have to hop over to something else. The unprofessionalism is mind boggling here. However, if you have decent skills and work habits, you can get work. Organizations make hiding the truth and their agendas into an art form, so whatever you find out, it may not be real anyway. VN can be a lot of fun, and you can find work, but it is best not to count on any one employer.

[rico4444]

Thanks mark_in_saigon for your advice and insight. Traveling and working abroad is old hat for me, but VN will be a new adventure. I appreciate the information.

[mark_in_saigon]

From what I read about Thailand, I think you can expect more or less the same level of professionalism here.

[yogurtpooh]

Whenever you do come to BH, do send me a private message. There's a small community of westerners living there and depending on your age you might get a long with them just fine. I'm always in BH as often as I can. I actually wished I lived there. It's urban but still has the quiet farm atmosphere, especially in the Buu Long ward.

[rico4444]

Thanks so much yogurtpooh...........that's really kind of you and I'll be sure to take you up on your offer. I'll be 60 next week but I relate well to any age group as long as the "younger set" can accept me as well. I've booked my flight and I'll be there on 27 September. I'll PM you as soon as I'm settled. Thanks again

[Andy123]

Talk the town? When people watch traffic for fun, dig through your garbage and make note of what you buy and use I would bet the bank the new westerner will be the talk of the town.

Just my two cents after being here for many, many years.