VVilliam

Hi, this is my first post on this site, (sorry in advance for my bad spelling and puctuation),

im looking for some advice really, i am a 22 year old male from the UK, and it is my life ambition to move to Vietnam. I am in love with its people, Culture, Climate, Way of life, well im in love with everything about it. im just looking for some advice on how to get started with my dream. as in how much GBP should i save in order to tide me over until i get a job?, what should i take with me? i know the only way to permantly live there is to marry a local. just some all around advice would be nice.

thank you

bakedbean

Hi, just to say welcome to the forum . I'm not in Vietnam so cannot help you. Hopefully someone will give you some answers on here shortly.

What sort of work skills do you have? How do you plan on finding a job?

VVilliam

Thank you for the Welcome

I have excellent I.T Skills, Excelelnt Customer Service Skills, Excellent Horticulture Skills.. so a vast array really, and im up for doing any job i can find really - i am currently studieing Vietnamiese (again sorry for the spelling).

mikelincs

You have skills, but do you have any qualifications on paper.. that could be more important.

VVilliam

i have the I.T and Customer Service's on paper but not Horticulture - just a reference from a well respected master of horticulture here in the uk, but i figure that wont make a diffrence.

mikelincs

You really need to look at this site to find out how to get a work permit for Vietnam.

http://www.internations.org/vietnam-...-for-vietnam-2

bondiboy

Hi, Ive spent the last 5 years in Vietnam before returning home 2 months ago.
The main source of work for Non professionals - those who have been sent there by their foreign companies - tends to be English Teaching. All other kind of work is extremely hard to find for most ppl.

You may want to consider a TEFL or CELTA. There are some schools in HCMC who turn a blind eye to the lack of degree - if you have one, sweet - & will pay you "under the table" about $15-17 per hour. However you will only work 6-7 months of the year due to holidays, National holidays & exam times.
The longer you are there the more contacts you will make like anywhere & opportunities will open to you.

Learning the lingo is the very best thing you can do as the vast majority of ppl I know just get by but I do know 2 ppl who have managed to master it & that puts them at a great advantage over others when it comes to work.
HCMC is expensive & many young Westerners choose to live in the Backpacker Area of HCMC (Buivien St in Pham ngu lao) where they can get a room in a cheap hotel for $300pm & be around other young ppl & the backpacker crowd. Beware of hookers, who like to surround young men & pickpocket their valuables whilst coming onto them!

Dist 2 & 7 are the main expat areas but are both 15 mins on a bike from the centre of Dist 1. A motorbike will cost you $60-80 per month. However break it & you pay for it!!

Hope all this helps.

VVilliam

Thank you for your response, that has been most helpful. the only problem im having at the moment is my nerves. any advice on how to stop paniking? and just get on the plane?

nonthaburi

you'll probably get there and in a few weeks wonder what you were worrying about.

steve75

Hi drop me a mail.

Steve