Job Discussion Forums

rico4444 · Joined: 01 Apr 2007 Posts: 90 Location: Thailand

I've got a job lined up and am supposed to start in HCMC at the end of June. I've worked for 7 years as an ESl teacher throughout Asia and decided to go to VN a year ago. At that time, it seemed like $2000-2400 U.S. was doable, and the substantial savings was very attractive. At present, based on comments I'm reading here, I get the impression that a contract, for example, that specifies approx. 20 hours a week at $20/hour is about all a teacher will get because enrollment is down and too many teachers vying for a limited number of hours. The contract/base salary doesn't bother me......it's the inability to accumulate more hours to increase the salary that concerns me.
Am I correct in assuming that I'll probably be limited to my contract hours and that the school will probably not be able to increase my hours? (put aside the notion of private tutoring....that's a separate issue).
I realize this is a general question.....I'd be happy with some general opinions

half moon · Joined: 17 Jul 2007 Posts: 49

saigon cowboy · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 84

Few people make 20 dollars an hour. Most between 13 to 16. Rent is not cheap unless you have inside knowledge about where to look for a place.

Vietnam has a lot to offer except for money. Japan might be your best option if it's cold hard cash you want. Cool

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indigorawa · Joined: 13 Apr 2009 Posts: 24

Don't come here for the money. Wages have not increased in most places over the past 5 years, yet inflation has been in double digits for 2 years. Housing and general cost of living will drain you, and at the moment, just getting from one place to another is an exercise in chaos theory. You are sperm racing to the ovum.

When the cost of living was lower, the wages made sense and it was easier to save. Additionally, there has been a recent influx of teachers, and more schools are also employing ESL instructors from non-native English speaking countries who work for less. Apart from a few international school, the money just doesn't go as far as it used to.

A perfect place for a 6 month stint/party and then onward.

Forget about making a career here. Most institutions, like ILA, purposely recruit from overseas so they can dupe young college grads into sacrificing a year of their time to teach in their institutions (after they pay for the TEFL/CELTA). Most of them leave after a year -- as their high energy and enthusiasm has been sucked from them like so much juice from an orange -- and then to be replaced by a new recruit.

A decent party scene, however, and the women are quite nice.

indigorawa · Joined: 13 Apr 2009 Posts: 24

Don't come here for the money. Wages have not increased in most places over the past 5 years, yet inflation has been in double digits for 2 years. Housing and general cost of living will drain you, and at the moment, just getting from one place to another is an exercise in chaos theory. You are sperm racing to the ovum.

When the cost of living was lower, the wages made sense and it was easier to save. Additionally, there has been a recent influx of teachers, and more schools are also employing ESL instructors from non-native English speaking countries who work for less. Apart from a few international school, the money just doesn't go as far as it used to.

A perfect place for a 6 month stint/party and then onward.

Forget about making a career here. Most institutions, like ILA, purposely recruit from overseas so they can dupe young college grads into sacrificing a year of their time to teach in their institutions (after they pay for the TEFL/CELTA). Most of them leave after a year -- as their high energy and enthusiasm has been sucked from them like so much juice from an orange -- and then to be replaced by a new recruit.

A decent party scene, however, and the women are quite nice.

London Bridge · Joined: 06 May 2008 Posts: 34

saigon cowboy · Joined: 24 Apr 2009 Posts: 84

I like teaching vietnamese students and i find most of them eager to learn.

My big complaint about Vietnam is the salary in HCMC versus the cost of living. Also foreigners are over charged for everything that does not have a fixed price.

I like large cities but the teaching salary is not keeping up with rising costs.
I lived in this nice little room 6 months ago in district 3. The landlady raised the rent because she said the price of petrol went up. Ok...but then the price of petrol went back down several weeks later and she would not lower the rent again.

I might relocate out to the smaller towns where some new schools are opening. The salary is lower but the rent is about 1,500,000 dong a month.
The town of Phan Theit is very close to Mui Ne on the coast and it looks promising.
I have seen so many motorbike wrecks in HCMC and that is reason enough to get out. Just last night in district 4 I saw a taxi clip the side of a motorbike and the poor guy went sliding across the road on his stomach. The taxi sped off.

Mike S. · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 91 Location: New York City

It can be a bit daunting.

indigorawa · Joined: 13 Apr 2009 Posts: 24

Nice avatar Mike

Mike S. · Joined: 27 Apr 2006 Posts: 91 Location: New York City

Pretty far out and groovy eh? Here's the website I got it from:

http://www.3datelier.com/webanimations3.htm

motown · Joined: 07 Jun 2008 Posts: 68

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 2:34 am Post subject:

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

You are right. Some people would like to work in a small village in the middle of no-where for about twelve dollars per hour. Some people like challenges, and some people don't.

It's all about what you want.

MrMrLuckyKhan · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 1:38 pm Post subject: