Teaching in Rural Vietnam

by Chris
(Vancouver, BC, Canada)

My wife and I (29 years old) are moving to Vietnam to teach English soon.

We have degrees, and will be getting TEFL training. We are hoping to find work outside of the major cities, as we love nature. We are wondering if this is reasonable (considering there are two of us), and what kind of trade off we might expect in terms of possibly lower wages, professionalism, etc.

Any information would be helpful.

Thanks,

Chris and Carla

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Reply from Travel-Budget-Asia.com

Sorry to reply so late. I lost you but I hope you are still carrying on as planned.

You'll encounter fewer opportunities, less pay and jealous Vietnamese teachers in the more isolated areas of Vietnam.

Then again, Nha Trang could be considered a place "Outside of the Major Cities" so it is hard to help you unless you give me a name of a city you had in mind.

Once you do, get in line because many teachers in the major cities are trying to relocate "Outside of the Major Cities". I worked in Ho Chi Minh City for a full year before I landed a good, guaranteed job in Nha Trang.

You will do best to work where you can for 3-6 months and then, with in-country experience in hand, you will meet with greater success when applying for work in your "Outside of the Major Cities" place.

Not so if you mention a place like Can Tho. Nothing nice there but it appeals to some people to be so close to the Mekong Delta for weekend riverboat rides and such.

Schools are begging teachers to teach in Can Tho for a 6 month or 1 year contract.

If that is what you want to do then I refer to my original statement. They are OK until you make them look bad or point out a mistake they have made.

The great thing is that you are not going alone. All schools in Vietnam would prefer to hire a couple than just single men.

Sorry that I can't be of more help. Each city is different and I need to know where you are going before I could paint a clearer picture.

Philip