Job Discussion Forums

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Sun Apr 11, 2010 6:11 pm Post subject: Vietnam Questions!

Hello to everybody!

I'm an American male teacher.

I am thinking of trying out teaching TEFL in Nam for 6 months.

And I have a few questions:

1. I have 5 years solid experience teaching English in Mexico. I have a 120 hour on-site TEFL with 6 hours teaching practice. No degree. Any problems?

2. Visas. Can anybody grab a 6 month visa upon entry to Vietnam?

3. How's the job market in HCMC?

Thanks in advance!

Oh My God · Joined: 31 Jan 2010 Posts: 273

About 1 year ago, I would've told you to buy a plane ticket and get here as fast as you can - you probably would've done quite well then.

These days, I'd have to say - stay in Mexico!

Good luck on whatever you choose...

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Apr 12, 2010 2:27 am Post subject:

H5N1 · Joined: 15 Feb 2005 Posts: 80

I cannot speak for Oh My God, on his/her specific reasons, but I agree with Oh My God.

There are visa problems at the moment. These visa problems started in August of 2009 and they are continuing.

According to one local newspaper, foreigners without work permit will be deported in July.

I don't know if this will affect English teachers. But it seems the net is cast wide.

6 month visas are no longer available.

If you do come, start the process for a work permit right away, and this will mean being hired and working at one of the few schools that will get you a work permit.

Bring degree, TEFL cert, criminal background check and get them notarized in the US or at the Embassy in Hanoi.

If you don't have a degree, I would not come to Vietnam.

People in hcmc that cannot submit notarized degrees are NOT being hired right now. And this includes some of the most experienced teachers that have good reputations.

The door used to be wide open. Now, VN is a lot like other countries in East Asia when it comes to teaching EFL.

Andy123 · Joined: 24 Sep 2009 Posts: 206

Read the recent postings on this forum and others and you will get a good idea. Some postings are true and some are false. Read between the lines.

Not only WP/Visa issues but a slow economy. Many of the schools I know of are not replacing the western teachers. Of course there are the older and larger schools that will always have western teachers.

If you are doing ok I would stay put a while. If you are a risk taker it could pay off well for you.

mark_in_saigon · Joined: 20 Sep 2009 Posts: 837

I also would say, if you have financial resources and can treat it like a vacation, then jump in. If working and earning income is a necessity, then I would not. The less you need the money, the more likely you will be able to survive here. I think you can pretty much come and go forever as a tourist, they still want our money, and probably always will. I have sufficient income to live in VN without working, and so was able to easily achieve my goals of

1 - enjoy the experience
2 - find work that gives me legal status
3 - working with college level students or teachers/administrators (as opposed to children putting headlocks on each other)
4 - minimal income needs

If I was in need of keeping enough cash flow from VN to maintain a normal lifestyle, it would be a totally different scenario, and with no degree, I would not recommend it. Lots of threads already detailing the issue of degrees and work permits. Even having a degree does not guarantee you one. Great place to live, if you like what it is all about, but I would not count on the income here, if you can get it, great, if not, it is still loads of fun as long as you have your own source of income.

TimkinMS · Joined: 18 Oct 2005 Posts: 86

I agree with the responses.

As Mark in Saigon states, if money is a factor, motivator, or concern, I would not come to Vietnam to teach.

Things are still up in the air with regard to work permits, and as mentioned on this thread, in July there may be people forced to leave.

We can only wait --> but everyone should have a back-up plan.

Be prepared to return to your home country or teach in another country in case you have to leave.

I would sit, wait, and watch, for now.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Tue Apr 13, 2010 2:41 pm Post subject:

Thanks everybody for responses.

I wasn't planning on making a move untill Fall, so I have time to sit back and see what happens.

clayrview · Joined: 01 Sep 2009 Posts: 62

If teachers are leaving in droves, does that then mean that teachers in their home countries, that can procure the triple notarized documents (yes triple!)
and then come over may have a better chance at a good job?

I'll make enough to support my partner and myself... (I hope!) but he'll be looking for a job when he arrives (with all his notarized crap). I'm hoping he'll have the upperhand on other teachers that don't have their degree/checks notarized/translated by embassy.

Am I right in assuming this, or will schools just be frustrated with hiring westerners by that point?

shanewarne · Joined: 21 Feb 2008 Posts: 146

The problem is not really teachers lacking notarized docs, the problem lies with schools not sorting out work permits. There are only a few that i know of which have arranged permits for their teachers. Luckily for me, i happen to work for such a school and can now apply for a 2 year temporary residence. Anyway, lets see what happens when July arrives.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 6:32 pm Post subject: Vietnam Dreaming...

So, what's new for 2010?

I heard there never was any visa crackdown.

And there are jobs a plenty in HCMC, right?

toiyeuthitmeo · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 213

I have anecdotal evidence of a few non-degreed teachers making it in HCMC over the past several months, but they either had a lot of well-established friends in town helping them, or ended up teaching kindergarden style classes. I'd say the previous thoughts in this thread still apply...with no degree, you're taking a big risk.