Job Discussion Forums

juggler · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 10

Hi

I�ve been teaching in China for quite a while, and need to leave for 30 days to reset my tax affairs back home. I�m intending on going to somewhere in Asia, and Vietnam is on the top of the list.

There are a few ways this can work (please correct me if I�m wrong).

1/ I go to work in Vietnam for about a month, and the salary pays for my trip.

I have no idea of how easy it would be to find work (PT/FT), or if Vietnamese schools / colleges / training centres have summer schools.

2/ I go to Vietnam, lead a quiet life, do some studying and spend as little as possible.

I can do this, but not in a busy city, especially in the summer.

First of all I need to find out how to get somewhere reasonably cheap and secure to stay for a month. AC preferred.

So guys, can anyone give me some pointers, doesn�t need to be detailed, but websites / general information and opinion would be much appreciated.

A little about me. From the U.K., 51, white, teach English to Chinese English teachers, teach kindergarten, but also have primary, middle and high school experience.

Alan

LettersAthruZ · Joined: 25 Apr 2010 Posts: 466 Location: North Viet Nam

juggler · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 10

Thanks for the reply Letters,

Regarding area, I had been thinking of flying to Ha Noi, and then finding somewhere from there that isn't as crowded and intense as Ha Noi itself.

Thanks also for the heads up regarding hotels and guesthouses, if I have AC, a fridge and internet, I might never see the light of day Shocked

Regarding work, yeah I can work just about anywhere if it's only for a month, as long as they can convince me I'll be paid.

I must admit I'm a bit worried about the language, I can get by quite well in Chinese, but i was struggling to pronounce some of the words you wrote.

Thanks again for your reply, if anyone has any other pointers, or warnings they will be appreciated.

Alan

Jbhughes · Joined: 01 Jul 2010 Posts: 254

I would imagine the easiest way of securing a month or 2 of work at backpacker schools will just be to sign a contract for 3-12 months and just leave after your first or second pay packet.

If the school pays you a few days in their favour (they pay on the second or third day of a new month for the up to the 30th/31st of the previous month) then you lose a few hours.

Morally, you may not want to do it and that's up to you. But the school may not be able to help you w.r.t visas after 3 months anyway and could be expecting you to have to move on at that point as it is. Not only that, but the people I have met who run the lower end of the market are hardly worthy of any positive treatment in my book.

Of course, should you want to return for more work, that employer and maybe a couple of others (schools with different names owned by the same person - could that happen I wonder.....) aren't exactly going to welcome you with open arms.

If this 30day tax reset thing is going to be a regular thing, then you could look for an employer who would be interesting in you returning on a regular basis. For them they wouldn't have to worry about your visa situation and probably a whole load of 'administrative' costs involved with employing you for longer stints at a time.

As for the Vietnamese situation - if you are only staying for a month and that's it then I wouldn't even bother with attempting any kind of speaking or listening. I remember 'learning' a few words and phrases before I came and being so excited to try them out and after a month still no-one understood 'thank you!' I would just have a phrasebook to hand. You've been in China though - that sounds harder than VN!

juggler · Joined: 12 Oct 2004 Posts: 10

Thanks for the reply Jb,

Regarding work, the thought had crossed my mind.

As for the tax reset, in my own situation, I need to leave China for 30 conscutive days in 5 years. I'm married now, got a house and pretty much settled, but circumstances dictate that it would be better for me to still keep my tax affairs at home. Hence the visit to Vietnam. If it happens again, then it won't be for at least another 5 years.

I don't really want to go, I'll be missing tons of summer work here, but it's the cheapest option as far as I can see. If I can find somewhere half decent to stay, and somewhere to have a beer now and again, I'll be happy.

Alan