Job Discussion Forums

dreadnought v.2 · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

Would really appreciate some advice from teachers working in Vietnam.

I have got sixteen years experience in over ten countries as a teacher, DoS, teacher trainer and I've got CELTA, DELTA and a Masters in TESOL. For what it's worth, I'm also a licensed SIT TESOL trainer.

I am interested in moving to Vietnam with my wife and young son (four years old) and would ideally like to work at some kind of higher education institute such as a university. I find the thought of working at a language school depressing at my age/stage. My preference would not to be in a big city like Hanoi or HCMC but somewhere smaller like Danang or Vung Tau.

In terms of money, my main expenses would be two: accommodation and education for my son. I would like to live in a house rather than an apartment, though it doesn't need to be particularly central, I'm quite happy living out in the suburbs. And my son would need to go to kindergarten, probably private/international because of the language. Those would be my main expenses, I am not a big drinker or traveller or socialiser so most of my money could go on those two big expenses.

Given my background/experience, how realistic is it to find a job that pays well enough to cover those expenses? And where would you recommend me to start looking if those jobs do exist?!

Would really appreciate any thoughts/comments people have.

H5N1 · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 80

dreadnought v.2 · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

H5N1,

Really appreciate the comments and info about Vietnam. I've tried writing to some institutes in these cities but it's difficult to get any direct info from them. I know it would be better to be in the country to do this, but that's not realistic at the moment with my family/financial situation.

I can see that it probably makes more sense to look for work in Hanoi or HCMC and I might end up doing that..I think my wife would prefer a place with less hustle and bustle as we've lived in big cities for the last few years and she found it a bit overwhelming. But if there's no other option and the pay/benefits are reasonable then I'm certainly willing to consider the bigger cities...

jayasia · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Isaan

i like danang.

an old advert at the uni there......i did meet a guy working there 3 yrs ago on china beach.

http://www.uq.edu.au/jobs/index.html?page=72210&pid=0

no international school 4 ur kid there.
i mean "kosher" ones.

vung tua, only language centers there. crappy beach.

i do miss danang....sigh!

jayasia · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 65 Location: Isaan

this is da one u want.

http://www.elidanang.edu.vn/

dreadnought v.2 · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

Joe Dolce · Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 30

The university in Danang is the only place outside the big cities that would suit you. Danang has a kindergarden / international school called uniworld which is run from Singapore with a bilingual curriculum for Vietnamese kids and an English curriculum for foreign kids. I know people whose kids study in uniworld in Saigon and they seem happy enough with it.

RMIT Hanoi is downtown but RMIT Saigon is out of town in district 7. It's a new area with a big highway passing by but the residential areas are well away from the traffic and its quiet and clean. They might be worth checking out.

dreadnought v.2 · Joined: 20 Oct 2008 Posts: 20 Location: Sofia, Bulgaria

anubistaima · Joined: 02 Nov 2004 Posts: 110 Location: Thailand

There are several international schools in Hanoi. The cheapest one is 4,000 USD a year (paid at once at the beginning of the year). The top one (UNIS) is 15,000 a year (same terms). Houses tend to be cheaper than apartments here in Hanoi (I'm thinking that's because in a building you got security, cleaning people, usually a pool or gym). I pay less than 500 for a nice two-story house with AC, a small yard and all furniture included. I don't live in the center but the area is fine.