Carl Said:

What could an English teacher expect to earn in Vietnam?

We Answered:

Depending on what type of school, anywhere from $15 to $20 per hour (U.S.). Your best bet is to check out the ESL forms. They can answer most of your questions along with giving you some good advice.

Here is a link to one:

http://www.saigonesl.com/forum/

Eva Said:

What are some jobs foreigners can do in Vietnam besides teaching?

We Answered:

The best bet would be to come here...as a teacher.

Once you establish yourself, use your connections and network yourself into something different.

To work at an NGO, you have to have a proven skill that they are looking for at the moment.

If you don't have a proven track record OR a solid network, you're not gonna get anywhere fast.

I came to Vietnam in 1992 to do one thing and changed careers two years later when the opportunity presented itself.

Forget exporting furniture, there are a million people doing it already and they have the inside track and connections.

Susan Said:

You know them teaching jobs abroad?

We Answered:

use www.tes.co.uk (free) to look for jobs. You do not need a teaching certificate or PGCE qualification. You will require your passport (obviously) and a TEFL certificate (short course 2 to 4 weeks) on Teaching English as a Foreign Language. A good sense of humour and desire for some adventure are also important. Great experience!

Debra Said:

Teaching in Vietnam - is this a good deal?

We Answered:

If half or more of your paycheck will have to go to your bills (other than living expenses), it'd be difficult but you can make it.

Assuming you'll be in only a 15% tax bracket, the gross pay of $ 1200/mo will give you just $ 1020/mo net pay. Half of that (after the bills) is $ 510 to live on.

You won't be able to have an apartment of your own but sharing a 1-bedroom apt with a roommate is possible (at $ 200/mo each). Food can be managed at $ 200/mo., leaving you $ 110 for clothing, transportation and incidentals.

It'll be a frugal life but by no means impoverished, considering Vietnam is still a poor country (improving but still poor) where even a doctor does not make much more than $ 1000/mo.

Mabel Said:

Jobs in Vietnam. Hello. I've heard that it is possible to get a job in an English school with no qualification

We Answered:

That used to be the case, but now, to comply with Vietnamese work visa laws, you need to have a bachelor degree.

The subject your degree is in doesnt matter at all though, because they just use this as a check to make sure you are suitably skilled that you wont take away work from local unskilled Vietnamese workers who need the jobs more than you.

It might be possible to find work their as a teacher without a degree, but keep in mind that this would be illegal and you risk deportation if caught. Also, because it's illegal, if the school you worked for treated you badly (which isnt an uncommon thing to happen) you would have no legal recourse to protect yourself.

So, long story short, you pretty much MUST have a degree to work there, but you should also consider doing a TEFL course, for some specialist training in English teaching.

Josephine Said:

Teaching English in Vietnam?

We Answered:

Hey Lam,

you again -really want to go?
So, the English teacher - if you have no experience with teaching - forget it!
All backpackers getting stranded in Vietnam try to be the teacher.
You need experience how to teach - references would be helpful.
TOEFL certificate or something would be perfect - just to be native speaker is not enough - these days are over, even in Vietnam.

You could get a job easy and maybe good to start with in Central Vietnam where all the new resorts will open soon - they always need an English trainer - you wont get paid a lot, but a room and food and for some fun you won´t need much money.
Good luck!

Kristina Said:

Jobs in vietnam (nha trang)?

We Answered:

To get a work visa [ known as a Biz visa] you will need a work permit. To get a work permit you need to hold a degree have 5 years experience in your chosen field and a 1 year contract from your employer in Vietnam. Pretty tough and since the 24th August this year the are in enforcing these conditions.