Job Discussion Forums

[Guiza]

Hi,

Yes I realise this topic is probably annoyingly common for most. I have used the search function and there was some useful info however I think it's still worth getting thoughts on September 2011 as all i've found relates to years past and what with all the talk on her about Vietnam "not being what it was" maybe opinions have changed.

I want to come to Vietnam to teach. However the earliest I can get there is the start of September. The term starts in June, what are people's informed opinions on finding full time work on arrival? Is employment and ongoing process in Saigon?

Vietnam is an awful long way for me to come (I've never been there) and I need to try and find some assurances that I will be able to support myself once there without spending all my saved money - not very much!

I am 24, English with 18 months exp teaching in Spain. I have CELTA and a degree in Spanish and Portuguese.

I am very grateful for any honest opinions, thanks

[Jbhughes]

This is probably going to an annoying reply

If you've never been here, how do you know you want to live and work here?
You're probably just a lot braver and more adventurous than me

As for the employment situation in September, my opinion isn't very informed, but my understanding from reading on here and people I've spoken to is that in general, language centres are hiring all year round except over the Tet period and perhaps before and after. Other people will hopefully post and confirm/deny this - whether or not they will be hiring this September will likely be of debate.

Good luck.

[LettersAthruZ]

Basically, hiring goes on two things. PRIMARILY on student enrollment...but to a lesser extent, on turnover.

From what I have seen in Viet Nam over the years, the months of April - May and September - November have been stable.....no real increases or decreases in student enrollment. December begins the wind-down phase....where attendance drops off noticeably, and by February's Tet, the schools pretty much become ghost towns. Said enrollment usually does not begin to ramp back up until May. June, July and August....usually the pickings are there for you....it's the high-season and the parents like to pawn their kids off on the English Centres for the summer.

Turnover? Well...do your research...find out WHICH schools have high turnover and WHY.

Most importantly, how long do you intend to stay?? 'Till the economic depression in Europe (and in The U.S.A. as well) ends? Gap year?

IF longer than a year, if you're arriving in September, probably best grab a job at one of the high-turnover places to subsist you until the December/January Tet slowdown/shutdown. At that time, take a breather, and maybe go search around town for longer-term employ at a more reputable centre!

If you're just backpacking, just perform the first half of the preceding paragraph.

[Guiza]

[Guiza]

[LettersAthruZ]

[Guiza]

That's good info, thanks.

With regard to the dreaded visa...

I would get one in the uk before arriving, applying for a 90 day tourist visa. I would want to book a return flight for well after the 90 day period though. Would this cause problems at immigration?

And a related scenario:

I read a lot about visa runs to renew... How legit is doing this? If I'm at the airport, returning from Bangkok and asking for a visa to enter Vietnam, they will know from a glance at the recently expired visa in my passport exactly what I'm up to. I guess it doesn't sound illegal, just a bit dodge, it is okay in the eyes of the law to do this?

I also read on another website that it is cheaper to simply wait and get a visa on arrival as this avoids postage and embassy admin costs. true / false? Can you still get the 90 day visa on arrival or would they be likely to restrict it to 30?

the joys of visas

[LettersAthruZ]