Job Discussion Forums

rpayvin · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 22

Hello All,

I am planning on being in Vietnam from April until the end of June, so about two full months, during which I plan on looking for work, either in HCMC or Hanoi. I will likely take a look at both cities. I have a CELTA and 2 and a half years of experience in Korea and Canada. If I find work and I like it I will stay.

I would like to know if these months fall in a really bad time of year for finding an esl job, or if generally there is a reasonable amount of hiring year-round with the exception of Tet. Also, is two months of job-hunting a reasonable amount of time to give myself? I know this is a vague question, but it would be nice to hear of anyone who has gone and looked for a job in either of these cities and has anything to say about how long it took to become self sufficient.

kurtz · Joined: 12 Mar 2008 Posts: 518 Location: Phaic Tan

I'd say many schools would be looking for people to fill summer school positions which kick off in June. Summer school runs for about 2 months and is a pretty hectic introduction to working in Vietnam. These are generally 2 month contracts but if you're any good, they might sign you up for a year after it's all over but many teachers like to take a break after that, it's pretty full on.

Perhaps contact some schools online first before coming over. Maybe there's more competition in Saigon than Hanoi but there's quite a bit of young learner work in Hanoi.

In a nutshell, 2 months should be fine but I'd be on the net looking, use daves or newhanoin for Hanoi based jobs.

erikashatz · Joined: 30 Nov 2011 Posts: 10

I'm corresponding with TESOL certification courses based in HCMC, including asking about when the hiring season is. One reply I got last week said June is an ideal hiring month for English teachers, that the routine school year begins in September, and that English teacher hiring is going on year-round. Good luck!

bobpen · Joined: 04 Mar 2011 Posts: 89

inhanoi · Joined: 22 Oct 2011 Posts: 165

Erik's info wasn't "dingbat," it was spot on. Schools hire large numbers of new teachers to start late May/early June as public school holidays begin. However, waiting until June would be too late. The well-organized places will try to have their summer hiring in place by end of April. And hiring goes on year-round since English schools have rolling admission times.

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

Believe InHanoi- Correct. TESOL certification providers are not dingbat schools. In fact they are not schools at all.They have little to do with schools apart from providing teachers.
Bobpens connection betwen the two is confused.

Follow advice of InHanoi, and you will find it to be just how the world really works. (At least in this instance anyway).

rpayvin · Joined: 01 Jun 2009 Posts: 22

Thank you very much for the replies, they have been helpful and have answered my questions. It looks like I will have a pretty fair chance as long as I have decided on a city and started looking come early April. Cheers!