Hanoi or Saigon for living/teaching ESL?

Question

I'm also taking a TEFL course anyone with TEFL experience in VN?

Answer 1

I know someone who has done the TEFL coarse and taught a year in Hanoi and loved it. The pay is alright and you can live very cheaply. I've been to both of these cities and would personally choose Hanoi over Saigon. Saigon is very humid and is constantly busy. Hanoi is somewhat (but not too much) calmer and has an amazing array of things to do and see. That said, I think everyone is different so check out both cities as it's worth doing this anyway.

Answer 2

You're going to find getting a job as an ESL teacher very easy in either city. It's probably going to come down to which city you like the best. Both have distinct difference in living and lifestyle. Hanoi is probably a little cheaper for cost of living, but Saigon probably pays a little better. It really doesn't matter with the paycheck that you could be getting.

Personally, I would pick Saigon over Hanoi, because Saigon feels more comfortable to me. I have a friend who has lived in Hanoi for 10 years after living in Saigon for five. He loves Hanoi and would never live in Saigon again.

I would suggest spending a week in each city and then decide which you would like to live in.