Job Discussion Forums

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

We're heading to Vietnam for some R&R over Chinese New Year and would love some insider info on vacation spots. We'd prefer something on or very near to a beach, preferrably all inclusive but if not then at least reasonable enough to allow us to afford to eat away from the resort. I've found some cottages that are beach front N.E of HCMC for about $50 US per night with breakfast.
Any other recommendations?
Places you've been or places you've heard about?

Thanks,
Chris

saint57 · Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 12:47 pm Post subject:

I had a great time in Mu Nei. The beach was empty. I didn't exactly stay in an exclusive resort, but I think there are better options in the area.

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Where did you stay?
We're thinking about this place, looks sweet!!

www.littlemuine.com

Mr Wind-up Bird · Joined: 22 Sep 2004 Posts: 196

I stayed in Little Mui Ne in October & it's lovely - very friendly staff, great rooms, nice pool. The only drawbacks are it's a bit far away from the main restaurant/bar area (however they do supply free bicycles if you're feeling fit), and the stretch of beach there isn't the best. Blue Ocean is better if you can afford to pay a little more.

saint57 · Posted: Thu Jan 18, 2007 12:46 pm Post subject:

Ummm, the place I stayed had four walls and a bed. I believe that the bus ticket and room cost $17 each for my girlfriend and I. It was right on the beach and I really didn't spend much time in the room so I was happy. We got the package from one of those cafes in Saigon. The place you're booking looks nice.

Enjoy,
Saint

yamahuh · Joined: 23 Apr 2004 Posts: 1033 Location: Karaoke Hell

Well we've got some sorting to do before we can book anything; need to find new jobs for around March 1st (Taiwan), get visa for Vietnam, plan planes to Vietnam, return to H.K (and then on to Taiwan) so we can get the Taiwan visa.

It WOULD be nice to hit a beach and relax for a few days with no classes, job searches, internet, or shi tty Jiangsu province China weather to think about...

sethness · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hiroshima, Japan

At the risk of going sliiightly off topic---

Are there any places in Vietnam where one can work as an English teacher, but SCUBA in one's off-hours? (not just on long weekends)

Or are the jobs all in built-up cities with dirty/unclear water nearby?

slug93 · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 38

Nha Trang or Danang, both are beach cities with good scuba nearbye. PLUS they are mid-size cities and will have a few english centers. But the pay might not be as much as big city, but the cost of living should be lot less.

sethness · Joined: 28 Feb 2005 Posts: 209 Location: Hiroshima, Japan

Major thanks for the info, Slug. Smile

If there's anything I can do for you, let me know!

At the risk of trying your patience, here're 2 follow-up questions:

When you say "nearby", you mean the SCUBA sites're near enough that you can bus there on the weekends, or it's actually so close (as it would be in Honolulu. fpr example) that you can dive in the morning and work your regular job teaching English in the evening?

I've heard that finding work in the big cities is just a matter of showing up and showing one's face around, and chances of finding work are good.
Is it the same in Nha Trang and Danang, or do the smaller cities' schools let the big cities' branches do their interviewing?

Oops... a 3rd question. (!)

"lower wages"... I've heard $14~20 is normal in VN's cities. How much lower would wages in these smaller cities be?

---
As for cost-of-living decrease...I'm coming from half a decade in Japan, where a cup of coffee is $5 and a movie ticket is $18, so the cost-of-living in Vietnam will no doubt keep me grinning nonstop. Smile

Thanks again.

slug93 · Joined: 07 Jan 2006 Posts: 38

Seth to answer your questions..

1) i've been to nha trang, but not danang. The beach is very close.. the whole city is on/near the beach. normally the scuba shops take customers out to the diving location early morning, and get back in the afternoon. so if you have evening class that's perfect.

2) i dont know how english center work in nha trang/danang. just go there for vacation then check around.

3) i dont know what wages differential would be in those cities either. I do know that couple of larger school in hcm have office/school in nha trang(and probably danang).

Best thing to do is go there and check it out. Good luck! i might head up to nha trang in couple of months for vacation myself..