Moving To Vietnam

by Tash Young
(Fords Bridge, Australia)

Hi! My name is Tash.

My dad has lived in Vietnam for 3 years and I went and visited him for a month a few weeks ago, I only got back last week.... While I was over there I went shopping (duh) and a woman gave me her number at the markets and said when I was back next to contact her because some of her friends wanted to be taught English.

Now, I'm thinking "whoa. how easy is this!?". So I've come back to Australia and my boyfriend and I have been offered by dad to live there for the rest of the year (I will probably be there for longer, but Jack wants to join the Army next year, so he wont be able to stay)... and I've been searching my butt off trying to find places for us to work (I haven't said Jack will only be there for 3 months), but a lot of the places seem to not want to hire me because I don't have a degree.

I'm 18 and Jack is 19, and without sounding like a have a stick up my butt, we're both fairly good looking and fresh faced (not to mention not drunks, as I see you have mentioned isn't the best thing to be in your posts)... I'm sort of reluctant to get up the money to pay for flights ($1600 between us) and visa's and all the other stuff we're going to have to pay for if we're going over there without jobs waiting for us.

And I'm not sure how to convince my dad that it's a good idea either (us going over without jobs). How will we get one when we go there? And we wont have working visa's either, cause of the no degree thing. We can do the online course things that are like 100 hours or whatever.. but then some places said to have a minimum of 120 hours WITH supervision.

we live in the outback of new south wales so there's no way that's happening before we leave. I can't live here anymore. It's driving me insane. Going to Vietnam opened my eyes to how much I'd "settled" for where I am and what I'm doing (pretty much being a house wife, when I had a scholarship to do medicine at uni when I left school last year) and I'll be heartbroken if I took all this time convincing Jack Vietnam will be amazing and finally got him to say yes.. and then can't go...

PLEASE HELP ME :(

x tash

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

Wow. That's a lot to digest, Tash. Enthusiasm isn't something you lack. A little indecision perhaps but that is normal. You have already decided that you are going somewhere but I don't think you're so sure it will be or even should be, Vietnam as your destination.

Stop and think for a bit about Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia or even the warmer parts of China. All the things about Vietnam that seemed wild and crazy while on holiday quickly become somewhat different when you are tied to a routine that includes a job, a lease and a down payment (Damage deposits of up to 3 months in advance) on wherever you decide to live.

It's easier with you, though. The sheer mass of info you've given here tells me a lot. People seem to forget that presentation is so important and it makes a difference if you are Fat, Ugly and Old.

It's just reality.

I say let your brain cool a little, Tash. Your trip to Vietnam has opened your mind and stirred your curiosity. The entire way you once interpreted the world has changed so go slow.

I'll try to answer your questions point by point. To be honest though, every one of the 'problems' you've listed are easily overcome. So. Is your question just 'Should I do it?'

Don't Worry About The Degree

The schools can't legally advertise a job to a person with no degree. If you inquire, they will insist that you must have a degree. Once you get them alone in a private atmosphere, everything will change.

They will hire you long before they will a 42 year old man with a Master Degree in Teaching English; can also speak Vietnamese, and can even blow bubbles out of his ears.

The TEFL Course

It helps to have one. The 100 hour course can be done purely online but the 120 hour course requires you to be observed doing 20 hours of practicum.

It's cheaper to do it in Vietnam and many of the better companies will hook you up with work afterward. You can't do the CELTA without a degree but a TEFL will find you work faster and secure you a higher salary in Vietnam.

Worth getting if you have 0 experience. Just weigh the benefits first but it will make your life immensely easier for it. Do it and I guarantee you'll be working in days and within 3 months, making $1800USD a month on 25 hour weeks.

You'll have a palace of a home, drive your own motorbike and will be able to take care of your man if he's not going to work ... easily done.

You will probably be able to pocket $1000USD per month. The first few months won't be quite so easy until you prove yourself.

The Vietnam Visa

Just go in on a one month tourist visa. Then head to a travel agent ans shop around for the best deal on a six month multiple entry visa.

That is all you'll need but lately (August 2010) they (Travel Agents, Border Guards, Local Bread-makers) are really gouging on the prices. Some places will ask you for $250USD for that 6 month visa.

If you have a close look at the visa, you'll see the price is only meant to be $35USD or maybe $40 by now. Corruption is alive and well in Saigon!

Just keep shopping. Ask expat you will see everywhere in the cafes, dressed as teachers. They can be really helpful. Either way. I guarantee that you'll get that visa and it doesn't matter if you have a degree or not. Is all about the money.

That's all I got, Tash. Please feel free to come back here and tell us how it goes, maybe help some others out. Sometimes they just need reassurance and my lone voice can get tiresome to some.

Stay in the pan,

Phil