Job Discussion Forums

[frution]

Has anybody lived or worked in Nha Trang? I am hoping to leave for Vietnam in the next few months to teach English and one of my friends pointed me towards Nha Trang (he visited it 3 years ago). He said he met lots of teachers who were combining teaching with obtaining their dive master which is something I hope to achieve whilst in Vietnam. One option I am considering is staying in HCMC for a few months, then moving to Nha Trang....but if anyone has any experience of the city it would be much appreciated....I might even cut to the chase and move there straight away. Thanks

[MisterLinguistix]

I lived in Nha Trang for three months back in 2005.

I did my divemaster certification. Once that was complete I searched for work. There were two main schools in town at that time. SITC and another (I forget the name). SITC folded while I was there. The other school offered me work ($10/hour). However, I had been in country on a tourist visa (extended for many months) but was unable to go through the process of obtaining the work permit.

I taught a few classes there while they tried to sort out the work permit issue. In the end the director informed me that she had to reluctantly follow the party's commands.

Shortly after I left Vietnam, having had too much trouble obtaining work without the work permit.

On the positive side, the general consensus is now that they have relaxed the strong restrictions they had at that time as they lost a lot of potential teachers.

Nha Trang is a nice little coastal town. Since it has a tourist influence it is more liberal that many of the other provincial towns. For instance, I had been traveling from Saigon through the Central Highlands of the country for a month before arriving in Nha Trang. The difference in vibe between Nha Trang and Buon Me Tout (~200km west) is like night and day. However, Dalat is one of the nicest places in the south (since it is also more touristy), but lacks any teaching job opportunities.

Nha Tarng has good food, some night-life, the ocean, diving, etc. I have been thinking of returning there at some point. However there are so many other places to see.

[inky]

Just to clarify for anyone reading this, the requirements for obtaining a Work Permit have not changed. You must have a university degree, an ESL teaching certificate, and a clean criminal background check. That doesn't mean lower-tier schools won't hire you (at lower-tier wages), but it does mean you will not get a Work Permit.

What has been relaxed is the previously strict notarization process, especially for American citizens.

[Texas_blu]

[Texas_blu]