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.comYou 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