Job Discussion Forums

Andrew108 · Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Posts: 20

I heard that some teachers were saving 1000 dollars a month? Can this really be true? I know that salaries are relatively high whilst cost of living is quite low, but saving 1000 dollars a month seems quite a lot to me. Is it really possible?

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

I find it highly unlikely you will save $1000 per month, especially in your first year in the country. Maybe after a few years of climbing the ladder and finding good contacts you'd be able to manage that if you lived like a local.

Yoy should know most newbie teachers probably make a maximum of $1,500 per month, and that's in Hanoi, which pays the most... But it also costs the most.

Start up costs are pretty big. Your few months will be spent playing catch up with your finances.

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

RiverMystic · Joined: 13 Jan 2009 Posts: 1986

I can't answer the question, as I am not in Vietnam yet. But given that salaries vary, perhaps a better question is how much are typical monthly expenses in X City? Then subtract them from your wages.

So let me ask this question. How much are monthly living costs in HCM?

ExpatLuke · Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 744

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

RustyShackleford · Joined: 13 May 2013 Posts: 449

I made about $1600-1800 on a salary. Paid $400/mo for a big 70m2 apartment and blew the rest on my motorbike and going out to a few western-style/high-end Viet places.

I arrived skint and broke about even. There is a lot of exploring to do, contrary popular belief, and spent it on that before heading to Spain to do my masters.

Luke's comment about playing catch-up with finances is true. Especially if you wind up not liking the first place you wind up living.

sigmoid · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Posts: 1276

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Mon Feb 29, 2016 3:48 pm Post subject:

I'd echo what a lot of people have said here. Saving around $500 a month, after you get established, is quite obtainable with a garden variety, entry-level TEFL gig in Saigon or Hanoi. You will be able to save that whilst living comfortably and not working that hard. However, a lot depends on you. My Achilles' heel when I was in Vietnam, in regards to finances, was traveling around Southeast Asia to go scuba diving and that took a pretty hefty toll on my savings; don't regret it for a second though.

If you want to be careful with the cash, work all the hours that God sends, then, obviously, you can pocket substantially more. However, if you are prepared to live that kind of lifestyle, then I'd probably opt for South Korea or China over Vietnam as, I've heard, you can save a lot over there if you are prepared to put in the hours. Like I said, that's just what I've heard, but, the only Asian country I've ever taught in is Vietnam so I'm no expert.

pooroldedgar · Joined: 07 Oct 2010 Posts: 181

Expat Luke,

What sort of start up costs are we looking at? Presumably two (three?) months deposit on an apartment and maybe motorbike rental. What am I missing?

Andrew108 · Joined: 17 Mar 2012 Posts: 20

Thanks for the input guys. Seems like 500 dollars a month is more realistic?

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

Some very basic maths. If staying for one year and buying a motorbike and no bonus in Hanoi or HCMC.

$1500 salary - $400ish for rent and $400ish for going out x 12

= $8400 for the year

- $ 800 plane ticket home (depending on where you're flying to)
- $1000+ travelling in holidays over 12 months (assumes VN only)
- $300 motorbike depreciation
- $800 lower than expected wage due to holidays such as TET

=$5,500 or $458/month.

-startup costs and oddities such as visits to Western hospitals, random gadget buying, clothes and the odd splurge on whatever.

You want to be well over the $1500 range if living in Hanoi or HCMC.

Before anyone chimes in and says they live like a local and spend $200/month and share a house for $150 in a hellhole, this is a realistic estimate I think.

1st Sgt Welsh · Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2016 11:32 am Post subject:

SimonW1986 · Joined: 15 Jul 2013 Posts: 12 Location: United Kingdom

It's definitely not arrive and save in most jobs and also depends on what you want to do work wise. If you are going to be part of the freelance or semi-freelance group of people your income can possibly be higher but will be variable through the year and expect to be messed around by the low grade schools you work for.

If you are working full time for 1 company you will to start earn about $1000 a month if you are a new teacher, however if you work hard and you are willing to do the hours, you can be rewarded with more classes and earn closer to $2000 by the end of your first year for sure. That is discounting any on the side work you choose to do as well.

In terms of expenses once you have arrived then it depends what set up you want and where you are working.

When I lived in Saigon I lived in district 1 on Nguyen Thi Minh Khai where there are lots of $250 - $300 a month rooms available some like mine with no deposit or bills. Most will want 1 month deposit and for you to pay electric but that wont be too much. Although this set up does mean your landlord might be in the building or at least an overseer. Look up about Vietnamese girls staying overnight if that is an issue for you, it could be for the landlord!

Alternatively you can rent or share a house or apartment, in some places it could be as low as $150 dollars a month up to $400. Having your own apartment will range from $300 up depending on size, location and windows. You could find a Vietnamese friend to shop for you and you'll get a cheaper price.

Motorbikes, do consider IF you need one. I didn't have one until I left Saigon to live elsewhere. Xe Om's are cheap but can add up, of course cycling or walking is free and I really enjoyed it. Depends where you live however. Grab bike is a superb way to get around cheaply and not drive.

If you want to buy a motorbike, I would suggest renting one from Chi's cafe for at least a month or so while you shop around, don't even trust the expats who are leaving, always scrutinize bikes. Find out what you want to drive too. Paying $50 a month for a bike does add up but while you get on your feet it does save some cash.

Food and drink will depend on you.

Travel, I didn't travel much my first year and saved loads of money, but went stir crazy in the city. Now i'm earning I don't keep still.

I found in my first year I was able to save 8-10 million VND from the get go which is about $4-500, by the end of the year that was 10-18 million so about $750 average I guess (I'm British and am not converting right now). Year 2 with more travel but more hours I was saving the same but could have saved more if need be or gone to further destinations than Cambodia, Malaysia and Vietnam.

$500 is super easy to save and more if you make the effort to work and be frugal. Don't worry for a month or so I say and then analyse your finances. You will easily see areas you might be spending too much and where you could spend more to enjoy your time.

Dave Remenda · Joined: 17 Jan 2013 Posts: 3

If an English teacher needs a loan is there a place where he/she can go?