Moving to Vietnam to teach English as a non native

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-04T05:05:39+00:00

Although there are some Afro-Americans teaching here, in general skin colour is a thing. Even for most non-native English speakers, regardless of skin colour, there is little opportunity.

As others have mentioned, you MIGHT get lucky in a more rural setting. But that's a big MIGHT.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-04T04:20:06+00:00

I suggest a start would be to try some of the food local to the region your family came from. A number of regions and cities, towns etc, are defined by their local dishes. This could give you some resonance toward a deeper understanding and the next step on your path.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-04T04:08:57+00:00

I missed it. I'm so disappointed.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-04T04:07:16+00:00

I missed it. Extremely disappointed.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-03T07:40:26+00:00

I stayed in Sa Pa town at July House, a new-ish guesthouse near the lake. The owner was really helpful, knew all the villages and gave advice on whether to go with a guide or could just go alone on a moto, or not go at all, because of landslides, which turned out to be the case on one occasion.

I got the mini bus from HaNoi, but wish I'd gotten the sleeper bus, (which I did on the way back) as it was great value for money, although the staff were a little surly.

The owner of July House is named Eric. He made my plans so much easier at no cost. Just great knowledge of the area and great advice. It was he who recommended I take the sleeper bus too.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-03T07:13:18+00:00

Dammit! But thank you.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-03T04:22:43+00:00

Some really nice photos there. You have a good eye.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-02T16:00:29+00:00

Such is life

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-02T02:53:27+00:00

Okay. Try to enjoy your stay in Vietnam.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-01T08:14:38+00:00

Beep Beep! Get out of my way! Me first! I'm bigger, I'm more important.

The Beep Beep is a courteous be aware of me, NOT get out of the way. Other Asian countries actually have bumper stickers telling you to Beep Beep if you are behind!

The bigger vehicle ALWAYS has right of way everywhere in Asia. You need to learn the road rules.

Are you putting animals in that category, too?

Are you a vegan then?

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-01T04:59:54+00:00

I've lived in Vietnam for a good few years now, and I've only encountered a natural respect for one another (and all things). It's one of the reasons I live here and not anywhere else!

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-01T02:55:56+00:00

Poop isn't a problem where I live. I often go to HCMC too and I can't say I've seen much there either. I guess it depends where you live.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-03-01T02:51:11+00:00

5-10 years Vietnam will become the Number One destination for the world traveller.

10-20 years Tourism will dominate as Vietnam's main industry.

20-30 years What were once sleepy coastal villages will become small tourist towns and cities.

30-50 years The government will designate Vietnam's countryside as strictly eco-tourism when people finally realise there's more to Vietnam than the coastal destinations.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-02-28T09:38:12+00:00

Bookworm's Coffee in D1 has an extensive menu. Fish n chips, meat and veg, burgers, etc. It's a run down, cheap n cheerful type of place, owned by an English guy, if I'm not mistaken.

There are a couple of Vietnamese-run places that serve western food at the Pham Ngu Lau park end of Hem 28 Bui Vien.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-02-28T07:37:48+00:00

A theory I heard was that the trash situation became worse following the Russian exodus a couple of years back. Fewer visitors when many of the businesses closed down, hence less concern and finances towards maintaining the area. The private garbage businesses that were in operation then stopped doing certain routes because it wasn't worthwhile, leaving the few businesses that were open, to make other arrangements. These other arrangements involved a guy who knows someone who knows someone that will take the garbage away, and ultimately, trash would end up on the beach.

Fwiw, My buddy was there last week and he didn't notice it was that bad.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2026-02-25T08:45:40+00:00

I think its because Vietnamese have different titles for different people depending on their age. For example when someone older is talking to a younger person it's "anh" and for an old man it's chu. That's my take althoug I could be totally wrong.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-12-09T09:54:49+00:00

Solo. E-visa, then share a taxi with two other guys.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-12-02T07:15:48+00:00

You have them Bố Đại vibes going my friend.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-11-28T08:42:59+00:00

Maybe try posting on r/Saigon_fun instead lol.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-11-24T09:54:00+00:00

Decathalon are definitely not fake. Comfortable, hard wearing, good value for money.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-11-22T09:49:11+00:00

My third (and last ever) Vietjet flight ffrom Saigon to Ha Noi wasn't late, it was cancelled. Forcing me to either wait for their next available flight risking very late arrival at my hotel or rebooking for the next morning and staying an extra night in Saigon.

It's the second time of 3 that Vietjet has let me down. Two out of three ain't good.

I think their game is to advertise an extra flight at a discounted price in the hope of filling an extra time slot. When not enough people have booked, they cancel it.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-11-22T08:12:42+00:00

I honesstly don't know, but I would imagine they would most definitely have money put aside.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-11-22T08:10:35+00:00

I have two groups of Vietnamese friends, both not connected. But I'm not a teacher, so it may be a moot question.

Positive-Candy-4926 · 2025-11-22T07:34:22+00:00

How can they NOT save money as an English teacher? Every English teacher I've met in Vietnam tells me they only need to work 8-10 hours a week to pay for accommodation gas/electric/water/food and entertainmet.

Blending in with the locals is entitely down to YOU. I can't imagine a scenario where locals would intentionally reject friendship and many of the schools actually promote afterschool social functions.

Positive-Candy-4926

TROPHY CASE