Job Discussion Forums

kerryn · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 34 Location: africa

Hey all
Have been offered a job in both cities... was at first interested in Hanoi however could someone who has lived in Danang pass on a lil info on what its like there.
I aint looking for a wild night life and all that... am pretty relaxed etc.... Just looking for nice place...friendly people... good food Smile

Thanks for the help!!

Kerryn

ptm234 · Joined: 29 Aug 2010 Posts: 17

I was in Danang over the summer and did some teaching. I enjoyed it a lot as it's really laidback and not as crowded as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh. I think people are more friendly, air quality is better, less traffic, and the seaside is beautiful. If you like a smaller city, then this is a good choice. People are honest there, you can leave your bag on the sand at the beach when it's peak hour while you swim and it won't get stolen.

It's close to Hoi An, which has an incredible beach and fun shopping. The food is great.

yogurtpooh · Joined: 26 Oct 2010 Posts: 85

Da Nang sounds good for you then.

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

I have spent quite a fair amount of time IN Da Nang....whilst I have not officially resided there, I LOVED IT! It can be quiet and laid back, yet one can still go out and tear up the town. A LOT cleaner than Ha Noi and the people there are much more friendly than in the other Big Five cities of Viet Nam. STILL has what you need - a METRO, a Big C, several cinemas, etc. etc.

A good choice! I'd take Da Nang over Ha Noi ANY DAY of the week.

Only thing that I cannot speak to is wages (having never taught in Da Nang, Hopefully somebody who has taught there can jump on and comment) vs. cost of living. I know that it is cheaper than Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City but more expensive than Hai Phong ('cause Hai Phong isn't a place that attracts Tay teachers or Viet tourists). IF they are offering you at least $15USD per classroom hour to start in Da Nang......TAKE IT!!

kerryn · Joined: 30 May 2005 Posts: 34 Location: africa

you guys rock!!!
thanks so much!
With my experience looking at over $20/ hour Smile

Really appreciate it.
Anybody else care to jump in ...ie living costs.... anything!!!

Smile

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

Yeah, if you are offered twenty bucks per classroom hour in DA NANG, TAKE IT!!!!!!!!!!

I have never taught anywhere else, so I do NOT know how it is in other countries, but be advised that IN VIET NAM, pay is ONLY FOR HOURS PHYSICALLY SPENT TEACHING IN THE CLASSROOM. And a lot of dodgy directors will try to milk this to get free work off of you. Remember - you PREPARE LESSONS during prep time - you DO NOT interview potential new students, you DO NOT stand out in front of the place and talk to parents or any other sort of unpaid marketing work for the director!

ALSO, make sure that you get TRUE CLARIFICATION on the schools teacher and staff meetings - this is another way directors like to waste your time and pick your brain for ideas........every so often, a meeting makes sense, but a few directors tend to abuse it!

Basically, just scour the rest of Dave's ESL Vietnam threads to alert yourself to some of the pitfalls of living and teaching in Viet Nam!

Congrats!

ptm234 · Joined: 29 Aug 2010 Posts: 17

Congrats. Hope you have an awesome time there.

Just remember, it's not so modern but a great place to kick back and relax.

haller_79 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 145

chatfouz · Joined: 25 Sep 2011 Posts: 3

I would love to work out in a small town in Vietnam. How did y'all find work in the small towns? I only ever see ads for Hanoi or HCMC. Any suggestions?

Beautiful Loser · Joined: 29 May 2011 Posts: 80

I live in Hanoi.

I've lived in HCMC.

I've never been to Danang.

I'd take Danang!

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

Definitively, indubitably Danang. (scramble for dictionary).

tefl peasant · Joined: 09 Oct 2010 Posts: 132

I lived and taught in Danang for 8 months. This was in 2008.

There is less demand, and the schools are slow.

But you can scramble for some work, and I got work at a company and some privates.

The hours were not a lot, but I lived simply.

I did have some savings with me, also.

You have to hustler a lot more than the 2 other big cities, and get your name out.

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

If I were offered ten US Dollars per classroom hour in Da Nang......and twenty five US Dollars per classroom hour in Ha Noi........

.....it wouldn't even be a choice! I'd be in Da Nang!!!

Reasonable cost of living vs. your salary, VERY polite and friendly locals (in my years in Viet Nam, I'd NEVER had a door held open for me before by a fellow shopper until I first went to Da Nang)....MUCH cleaner waters and beaches that the dumps around Hai Phong/Ha Long, just so totally a WORLD of difference from the other four of Viet Nam's Big Five cities (except for Can Tho - can't speak to that as I really have no experience there)!

Sweetbanana · Joined: 14 Oct 2011 Posts: 3

Where did you find that would offer $20? I have been in Da Nang 2 months and spoken with many schools. The most I have heard yet is $16.
But we really do enjoy it here. We live next to the beach which is beautiful, there is lots of good food, lifestyle is very laid back and most people have been very helpful.
We have spoken to others who live in Hanoi that came to Da Nang for the first time and they immediately wanted to move here!
My husband and I work part time with 5 different schools, as there are not many schools who pay salary or give full time hours.

snollygoster · Joined: 04 Jun 2009 Posts: 478

A sweet gig is at the FLC Danang Uni. Its run by Queensland Uni from Australia, so you need to have your ducks in a row with correct certs etc to work there.