Korean Job Discussion Forums

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

Hello, everyone. Right now, I am considering a couple of short-term jobs. One is in Chiang Mai, Thailand and the other is in Hanoi, Vietnam.

I have been to Chiang Mai and like the place, but I have never been to Hanoi. So, I was hoping to hear some perspectives from some people who have been to both places.

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

I've been to both places a couple of times.

To live & work. Chiangmai. It has many Western restaurants & flights to Kunming in China, & trains & flights to the regional hub of Bangkok. The Riverside Restaurant was a local institution & had some of the best food I've had in Thailand. This was 6-7 years ago though. The Chiang Mai Night Market was great.

For a short term tourist, Hanoi would win. The water puppets, nearby Halong Bay & Ninh Binh & further afield, Sapa are all superb. The Old Quarter of Hanoi was also very interesting, & had way more character than HCMC. Hanoi lacks connecting & direct flights to many places though.

LydiaSarah · Joined: 02 Jul 2008 Location: Bucheon, South Korea

Chiang Mai hands down. I've been to both places, and Hanoi always felt a bit seedy and unfriendly, especially for SE Asia. Chiang Mai is WONDERFUL on the other hand. I couldn't imagine a much better city to live and work in. The people are great, and the tourists keep to one area. The food is good. The weather is good. Rent is cheap. Can't lose.

newinseoul · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Location: Busan

I've been to both of those cities, and they are both very different. It depends on what type of city and atmosphere you like.

Chiang Mai is way more laid back, and has many outdoor activities such as treks and hiking nearby. The cost of living is quite low, and you'd get to enjoy the rest of Thailand on vacation.

Hanoi is very crowded, hectic, and the traffic is insane. There are a lot of tourist attractions, and places you can visit. Hanoi is very tourist, although Chiang Mai is as well. To me, there is more to do and see in Hanoi, but people can easily rip you off. I found people weren't as honest in Vietnam compared to Thailand. As I said, where you live will depend on what you want to do, see, and what type of person you are.

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

Even though it was less pay, I decided to take the job in Chiang Mai. Everyone, thanks for the advice.

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 12:50 am Post subject:

air pollution in Chiang Mai in February through April, especially March, is incredibly bad with it being the dry season without cleansing rain, so many farmers burning fields for the next year's harvest, weather inversions and pollution from other asian sources making Chiang Mai MUCH WORSE than Bangkok for air pollution for a couple of months

hope you won't be working there in March

Konglishman · Joined: 14 Sep 2007 Location: Nanjing

VanIslander · Posted: Sun Jul 19, 2009 1:32 am Post subject:

chris_J2 · Joined: 17 Apr 2006 Location: From Brisbane, Au.

A few snaps I've taken around Thailand:

http://www.trekearth.com/map.php?ctr=Thailand&member=ChrisJ

January skies were fine:

http://www.trekearth.com/members/ChrisJ/photos/Asia/Thailand/North/Chiang_Mai/