Job Discussion Forums

hybrid_monochrome · Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 8

My boyfriend and I have relocated to Vung Tau for a few months while he works on a software job here. So.....where would be a good place to start a job search? I have my TESOL and a year of experience in South Korea, but I can't seem to find the English schools around here. Since we're new, it would be great to meet some other foreigners who live in our little town. Does anyone know where the expats hang out? Mostly I've just seen older engineers. Thanks.

toiyeuthitmeo · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 213

I have sent you a private message re: Vung Tau. I don't know if you can respond as I think you need to have a certain number of posts, but you should be able read the message. If you can't read it, post here and I'll get back to you. Welcome to the Cap St Jaques, as the Portuguese called it.

baygioimdi · Joined: 28 Jan 2011 Posts: 44

Regarding schools in VTau-check out ILA, NEVERLEARN, Natural English, VATC, in addition there are a few universities that offer some work, also there are a few new English schools, not sure how big they are. I suggest to get a motorcycle taxi that can speak English and they can take you to all of the schools in VTau in about 1-2 hours and drop off your cv.

The social scene in VTau regarding teachers is somewhat clicky, there is not a single bar that teachers visit but I would suggest belly's bar, sunday afternoons is quite busy, check out the russian beach club on back beach on weekends, the casino at the palace hotel on friday/sat nights lucky draw, you will find teachers in this place losing all of their money. Of course, there are many other bars, too many to list.

anyway best of luck

toiyeuthitmeo · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 213

In addition to bars, chances are most native-English speaking 20-40 somethings you see ANYWHERE in town are teachers (usually distinguishable from the offshore/oil crowd by lack of tattoos and comparatively smaller statures). It's not a huge destination on the backpacker trail.

Western-style restaurants are a good bet. Pizza David and Bay View Cafe (front beach), Ali Baba's (near Palace), and Offshore Grill (near Rex) often attract the teacher crowd when they can afford a hamburger.

The beer garden (Bia Tuoi) located on Front Beach next to Pacific Hotel is just a nice place to go, where you also might run into some teachers.

Sorry I'm not too informed on addresses and street names, but some other schools to check out and ask around about in addition to those above are

My Uc (American Australian)
Apex
VTE
Kiddie English
Go Go English

hybrid_monochrome · Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 8

Got your pm, toiyeuthitmeo. We're close to the Palace Hotel, actually, and I tried for the life of me to find Cafe Bay last night and the night before, with no luck. Found some Irish bar, the pizza place, a yogurt shop, the Aussie Pie Shop, and Cafe 9, though, so I think I'm on the right trail. I've seen some older Western engineers, some Russian oilrig workers, and the odd tourist couple. Is it my imagination, or are there no western girls in this town? All I've seen are the families of the Russian workers. I'm still looking for English schools, and having some luck. Thanks for all the help, guys.

baygioimdi · Joined: 28 Jan 2011 Posts: 44

If you want to find Cafe Bay, walk towards the waterfront from Palace, take a left when you get to the main road, walk past all of the hostess bars and the last bar is Cafe Bay. Its not really a bar or cafe, thay have about 4 tables/chairs outside.

If one still can't find it, ride by on a moto at about 7 or 8 am on Sat or Sun morning and the usual suspects will still be drinking.

cheers

toiyeuthitmeo · Joined: 21 May 2010 Posts: 213

Pretty dead-on with the directions above, however these days they're kicking us winos out of that place consistently around 1am Wink

yogurtpooh · Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 85

I really hope to meet some of you when I venture to VT myself this June.

hybrid_monochrome · Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 8

I found Cafe Bay! Thanks for the specific directions. I guess I was looking for a proper "cafe", but it's really close to where we're staying. I'll probably be there either tonight or Saturday to meet some new folks and hang out by the beach. I don't have enough posts yet to respond to pm's, toiyeuthitmeo, but I got the second message, and we'll definitely be at the get-together Sunday, if you'd give us directions. So far, I'm really enjoying the city, except....

Where's a good place to rent a scooter and/or a bicycle? I asked the people at the hotel, but the place they recommended cost something like $30/day for a scooter, which is absolutely ridiculous considering the price of everything else here. I'm tired of taking the taxis, and am excited to get into the vigilante CHAOS on the roads. Any suggestions would be of help, and if you all know of someplace close to the beach near the Palace Hotel, that would be even better. Cheers, and thanks!

baygioimdi · Joined: 28 Jan 2011 Posts: 44

You can rent motorbikes at numerous bars in VTau. The cheapest is probably the Hole in the WALL bar- 50,000-60,000 Dong a day, 800,000 VND per month.
You can walk there from Palace hotel.

hybrid_monochrome · Joined: 09 Jun 2010 Posts: 8

Thanks so much for you help, guys. Ended up getting a scooter from the people at Cafe Bay.