Quitting My Job in Vietnam

by teenie

I've been following your blogs and found your experiences and advice quite helpful. Hope you can help me with my problem.


I am a Filipino and currently working in middle Vietnam. I've signed a 1 year contract and my employer got me a working permit for 2 years and a temporary residence card for a year. i was just new here in Vietnam that time. i've been working here for 6 months but over the past months i found out that all that was promised to me are either exaggerations or not true at all.

I am thinking of resigning and moving to Ho Chi Minh and get myself into another school there. My worries are with my working permit and residence card and of course my contract. Would it be possible to break free from my contract? And if it is, would it be possible for me to use my working permit and residence card in Ho Chi Minh?

I am thinking of handling my resignation next week. But i am wondering if it would kill me.

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

You never know how your boss will react to you walking out of your contract. It is best if you tell them that you want to leave as soon as possible. They may improve their treatment of you and it is never a bad idea to give them 1 months notice.

There is no law against walking out of your contract but your past might follow you around.

Everyone in Vietnam uses the art of deception to get you working for them. You cannot trust their promises but they cannot legally keep you where you are.

You will lose your residence status and your work permit if you leave to Ho Chi Minh City. Vietnamese people must apply to move from one area of Vietnam to another. You are not Vietnamese but your residence card is area specific, meaning it is only good if you stay in that area. Your work permit is sponsored by your employer and cannot be used at another school in Ho Chi Minh City.

You will find the same treatment in Ho Chi Minh City and pay higher living costs. Filipino teachers get very little respect in Vietnam and that does not change just because you change location.

Ho Chi Minh City has many more options, though. It may be a good thing for you and you could find a great place to work. You will have to give up both your work permit and residence status, though.

Life is too short to stay where you are unhappy.

My friend works at Home of English in Cambodia. His boss is a Filipino teacher. They get much more respect.

Good luck,

Philip

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Sep 04, 2012
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by: teenie

Hi Phillip,

I am now in Ho Chi Minh City, thanks to your advice. You are right, it is hard to get back on my feet but somehow I managed.

Right now I am doing part time jobs at some language centers. It's difficult for me to get a full time job considering my nationality and lack of a teaching certificate. I am planning to get a TESOL or CELTA in a couple of months from now.

I have to take care of everything myself now like accommodation, city services bills and transportation unlike when I was in my previous job but I am happy. That's what's important for me.

Again, thank you for getting back to me with my concerns. It helped me a lot in my decision to transfer here. I wish you all the best.^^

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

Thanks, Teenie. It is funny that you sent this to me now. This website needs to be renewed in 2 days and I was not going to keep it. It is very expensive to keep and it makes no money for me. So, I decided to just drop it.

Then you sent me this message. Because of your message I am going to keep the website going and pay the money. Having someone thank me for helping them when they needed help is worth the cost and the work.

I am glad that you are happy now that you have moved to Ho Chi Minh City. Life is too short and we all need to find and fight for our happiness.

You did good. I am proud of you.

P.S. Filipino teachers are some of the best, most dedicated teachers I know.

Philip.
Apr 21, 2012
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by: Anonymous

Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

You will lose about 4-6 months getting back on your feet if you leave for Ho Chi Minh City. I think you should go because you are serious about your work, have excellent grammar and a good attitude.

You will find work very quickly, especially now, during the busiest months at schools in Vietnam.

However, I don't know what the consequences will be if you walk out of your current contract. The school must cancel their sponsorship of your work visa before any other school can apply for another Visa on your behalf.

Your current school might get angry and choose not to cancel their sponsorship. You must therefore wait until your contract expires before you can get work again.

I don't think this will happen but you shouldn’t tell the school that you are leaving them to find new work in Ho Chi Minh City. Better to tell them that you are returning home. They may choose to get nasty once you tell them that you are leaving.

While you are looking for a school in Ho Chi Minh City, you will need a Visa. You can work with just a 3 month visa but the price is about $140USD / Single entry.

Hoa Sen International School is an excellent place to start. Friends tell me that Filipinos are well treated there. I would give them a resume. I also like IPS (International Primary School). Teachers get a pretty good wage and are treated well (Depending on how good a teacher you are).

It will take a few months before your probation period is over and the school offers you the Visa and work Permit. Until they do, you are responsible for maintaining your visa.

Just try and leave your current job with smiles and laughter. Leaving a contract before it expires really hurts a school and adds hours of paperwork to their lives.

Leave your current job if you are not happy but leave in a positive way. Don't forget to ask them for a letter of reference.

Take care of yourself. I hope you find the perfect teaching Job and some good friends.

Philip
Apr 15, 2012
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by: teenie

Thank you mr Phillip. That was quite noteworthy. Right i'd be losing my permits and it's not easy to get them. But like you've said life is short and i'm not happy here-- with everything. So here comes my other problem--securing a visa and getting into a school that will provide me a working permit.

You are right about the "very little respect to filipinos" thing. From where I am, it's not just from among collegues but all the locals after learning I am teaching English. There are a handful of nice people though. And I kinda receive respect from students after seeing me teach.

I was thinking of moving to Ho Chi Minh because I have a Filipino friend there working at Hoa Sen International School. Do you happen to know the school? She said she is working with 1 more Filipino and all other teachers are western. Her experience is great compared to the other schools she worked at. She also mentioned there are plenty of language centers nearby so I have a better chance if I try.

I could have and it's really a better chance now that summer is near. Language schools will be packed from what i've heard. But still I'm a Filipino. Phillip, do you happen to know schools in Ho Chi Minh where Filipinos are accepted?

I'd like to consider moving to Cambodia but it's hard for me to move far now. I have lots of stuff and no friends there. It's another reason I want to move to Ho Chi Minh. I want to join a church and a Filipino or other foreign communities.

Again, thanks much. And sorry for making it too long.^^

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