Korean Job Discussion Forums

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Think I posted on the wrong forum and was deleted?

Anyway deal is up here. A change sounds good. Going to try Vietnam. A bit freaky as I haven't been there and know nobody there. Just curious. Will go in a week or whenever.

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

Everything is dirt cheap.

It's really, really hot.

It's really humid.

Many, many poor people (mostly child beggars) and they will steal your wallet if you aren't careful. Wear a money belt for big bills.

Take a good supply of USD. They prefer large denominations when exchanging. You can use small USD denominations for buying many things but you better get some Vietnamese when you arrive.

Enough people speak English, so you should have no problems communicating. If that fails, most people speak French too.

Oh, and don't forget, it's HOT and HUMID!

Enjoy it. I'd love to go again sometime.

Cheers

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Thanks prairieboy,

Doesn't sound so different from Thailand. I was glad to see lots of 7-11s there for water and air conditioning when I wanted to walk around for an hour or so in the fine afternoon heat! (first visit to BKK in 2000)

By the way prairieboy, how long did you spend there?

As a tourist?

Not the same as living 6 months or so anywhere I imagine.

prairieboy · Joined: 14 Sep 2003 Location: The batcave.

I was there as a tourist on vacation. I stayed only a week.

Living there for 6 months...my girlfriend's brother and wife lived in Ho Chi Minh City for nearly year and they made out ok.

You just have to be really security conscious when it comes to your home and yourself. Otherwise it's a great place.

Cheers

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

If you can swing it, get a job in the north part of the country; much nicer scenery, friendlier people, and more laid back lifestyle.

My vote for best place to work in Vietnam would go to Hanoi.

Crois · Posted: Wed Jun 30, 2004 5:12 pm Post subject:

I wanted to go to Vietnam but my parents were all like why bother going there why dont you just kill yourself now. Then I say mum you fought in the vietnam war and dad you were once defending Dubai and various other countries around the world.

They were just a bit too concerned about the terrorist threat.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

Terrorist threat in Vietnam? Sounds a bit far-fetched but then again the world is gone mad. Hell isn't there just as much or maybe more of one for Korea? Or Canada? Or ___________________ (fill it in)?

Having never been there I'm not sure where I'd prefer to be, Saigon, Hanoi or elsewhere. Hanoi has been sounding attractive for several years though. HCMC may be fun and chaotic too, though. They do look pretty far apart though. perhaps a plane ticket between the two isn't too expensive. An Aussie guy I met a year or so ago in Seoul told me he rented a motorbike in Hanoi and drove down to HCMC. That was an impressive story.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

There's a train from Hanoi to HMC called the Reunification Express. My trip to Vietnam consisted of taking that train from Hanoi to HMC over the course of two weeks. Great trip. Can't wait to go back someday, hopefully soon.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Anyone else care to weigh in on the Hanoi vs. Saigon debate? Teaching there is also a consideration of mine.

JacktheCat · Joined: 08 May 2004

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

Yes, I noted your previous input. I was hoping for more than one opinion. We'll probably just get travellers tales here though.

desultude · Posted: Fri Jul 02, 2004 4:11 am Post subject:

I haven't made it up to Hanoi yet, but Saigon is great. I'd live here, at least I'd live here for a year.

But I like big cities. I loved living for a while in Mexico City.

Security seems to be a problem, but I think that is largely a case of street smarts and strategy. (I say that, but I am off on the train to Da Nang tonight, and I admit to being a bit nervous.)

schwa · Joined: 18 Jan 2003 Location: Yap

Just a tourist take (last year) but Hanoi is really nice aside from the frenetic scooter traffic which is kind of in your face every time you want to cross the street. Theres a really fun little entertainment district where you can meet other foreigners. Food is good, certainly more varied than in Korea. I met a bunch of nice Vietnamese people & got a pleasant impression of the country. I could live & work there but I think I'd choose a smaller city, but not so easy to arrange maybe. If youre good with hot weather, its a cool country.

Zed · Joined: 20 Jan 2003 Location: Shakedown Street

I'm cool with the weather. Cool

Hot and humid. Bring it on.

jajdude · Joined: 18 Jan 2003

The "Job info. Journal" for Vietnam ain't all sunshine and roses. Sounds a bit more like some posts on this board. Ex: "All is bad. Stay away."

But curiosity has me. So I have to arrange whatever and go. I don't know why I feel a bit freaked out. It's only another foreign place. Guess I've gotten used to Korea despite all my whining about it.

I don't even know about visa requirements or anything yet actually.

Yikes......... i'm a dummy!

thought i'd include this from the Vietnam board.... Hanoi vs. Ho Chi Minh

www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=7762