Job Discussion Forums

Dr Disco · Posted: Thu Apr 01, 2004 8:10 am Post subject: Vietnam Vs Seoul

Anyone out there experience both countries?

I'm looking for work in both countries, and Seoul has its perks with regards to $$$, a free ticket, fewer visa problems ( it seems), a free box to live in, etc.

It seems that Vietnam has weather that I like better, and I am intrigued by it more. On the other hand I have many former students and co-workers in Seoul.

Anyone have any thoughts as to any other pros and cons? I have a BA degree, TEFL cert, and 3 years of experience in the States.

Any feedback is appreciated.

Ajarn Miguk · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 227 Location: TDY As Assigned

Dr Disco · Posted: Fri Apr 02, 2004 2:25 am Post subject:

I guess that would be your way of saying no. Thanks for the geography lesson.
Now that I have been put in my place, please consider Seoul to be in Korea. South Korea, or is it North Korea?

Anyone one else have any more info?

Rolling Eyes

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

What are your hobbies? What kind of city would you like to live in? Where have you travelled overseas that you've liked and could live there? S. Korea and Vietnam are like apples and oranges. I think most people would like to work in Korea and travel in Vietnam. You could not do the reverse for very long.

seaskyclay · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Vietnam

Gordon: What do you mean by that? Is Vietnam supposed to be an unpleasant place to work?

I am also interested in hearing what it's like to live and work in South Korea, since I know nothing of what it would be.

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

What I meant is that you won't be able to save in Vietnam like you can in Korea. I was able to save about $25,000 US in a year in Seoul (in the mid-90's). If you worked in Korea for a year, you could travel a long time in SE Asia afterwards.

Micro67 · Joined: 29 May 2003 Posts: 297 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Just my two cents. I've been here for about a year and a half and I'm happy. Vietnam is like a good couch; the longer you are here, the less you want to leave.

seaskyclay · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 32 Location: Vietnam

You saved $25000 US in one year of working in Seoul?? That doesn't seem possible. I could see making that much in a year, but saving/setting aside that much? I hear the cost of living is very low in S.Korea and the income is high (generally $1500-2200 US/mon.). I wonder how much one needs to budget for expenses, rent, etc. in Korea.

Also, I've seen so much about ripoff schools in Korea that don't pay, etc. How does one go about finding a legit school to work for? There are some placement agencies around. Perhaps that is the way to go?

Thanks for the info.

Stephanie

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

Ajarn Miguk · Joined: 23 Jan 2003 Posts: 227 Location: TDY As Assigned

It's probably true that you'll make more money teaching in Korea.

On the other hand, my guess is the vast majority of teachers in Vietnam don't spend most of their daily existence calculating or fantasizing about their next escape date to a vacation spot in SEA.

taobenli · Joined: 11 Feb 2004 Posts: 17

Gordon-

What is the picture in your posts a picture of (the mountains and lake)? Just wondering....

Gordon · Joined: 28 Jan 2003 Posts: 5309 Location: Japan

cha muir · Joined: 28 Apr 2003 Posts: 64 Location: Plateau, Montreal

Dr Disco,

Can't help but notice that you posted on April !st, is this some kind of prank?

If I might offer an analogy:

Where should I go teach? LA or Tegucigalpa?

Hope this clears things up.

Personally, I like Vietnam an awful lot. The wage to cost of living is also quite good and I think your standard of living would be much higher here. I taught in Taejon for two years, Cheju Island for one year and visited Seoul numerous times. It would be a hard city for me to live in.
Why don't you go both places. Seoul for six months until the winter. Nha Trang for six months.

good luck to you Master Dancer.

cha

jibbs · Joined: 02 Feb 2003 Posts: 452

I lived in Seoul for over 2 years and Korea around 5 years. Have been in HCMC just over 2 months. I kind of liked Seoul but got tired of Korea. Seoul is not a cheap place to live except you can get the free apt. In Korea $2000 US/month is quite good. The average pay is less than that. The average hourly pay in Vietnam is perhaps $13 an hour. Of course you need to pay your own rent, but you can live cheaper. You can probably save more in Korea. If you are introverted like me, and don't mind spending a lot of time alone, maybe you can handle Korea for a few years even. But the isolation got to me. I like seeing more foreigners, as I see here in HCMC. And neither Koreans nor Vietnamese speak English well so without learning the local language you may have trouble feeling at home. Or maybe you can make friends if you find the right people. In HCMC the noise, heat/humidity, pollution, and "beggar fatigue syndrome" are stressful at times. But the food variety is good. In Korea you've got more xenophobia and nationalism and you feel less wanted there. And the food there is not good in my opinion. But it is more developed and more prosperous. Not many beggars or rip-off scams.

I think Korea is easier in some ways because you can get one job and get the apt. and you're ready to go. But with the contract and E2 visa you are stuck with that job, or have the hassle of breaking it if things go sour.

Vietnam may be a hassle getting enough hours at just one place, so you may have to try to work a schedule around 2 or 3 places. But as far as I know contracts hardly seem to exist here. It's probably got good and bad points that way.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

I'm not sure but I think Ho Chi Minh City is getting saturated with English teachers. What do you guys think? Question