Author: Stephen

What is Vietnamese Food?

Vietnamese food.

Vietnamese food is spicy, fresh and full of flavor. it is an orgasm in the mouth. If you have never tried Vietnamese food you are in for a wonderful experience.

Noodles and rice along with meat, fish, vegetables and a dipping sauce are a staple of the Vietnamese people. But do not think it is bland or boring. The dipping sauce might be Soy sauce with chilies to spice things up.

The meat, quite often pork, might be wrapped in a lettuce leaf. Vietnamese herbs are also added along with cold rice noodles and dipped into the sauce. An amazing taste that will leave you wanting more. And there is so much more.

From the smallest food stalls to the fanciest restaurant you will always find something you will like. An exciting gastronomic experience awaits the foodie in us all.

Hungry and Homeward bound.

I was hungry. I was on my motorbike. It was 11o’clock at night. What could I eat? I was ravenous. I was thirsty and it was hot.

The Vietnamese have a vibrant dining culture that includes late night eating. You can be out late at night and see people sitting around on plastic stools. Slurping and drinking beer. This is heaven.

While driving down the backstreets of Go Vap. An area of Ho Chi Minh City not frequented by expats. I could see the small moveable carts surrounded by plastic stools.

The carts are moved at night to the same location by the owner and cook. Then moved back to their home later.

The smells were amazing. I had to stop. Eleven Vietnamese workers, on their way home after work, were sitting on plastic stools. Waiting for their food.

I pulled up on my motorcycle and sat down. Eleven friendly faces smiled at me and nodded.

Ordered my food by pointing and nodding. I asked for a beer. Then I looked around. No one else had a beer. Beer and food go together in Vietnam so I bought everyone a beer. It was instant love. Thumbs up from all, everyone happy. I had everyone come up and shake my hand. Little things count in Vietnam.

And then the food came out. I could smell it first and it was the nectar of the gods. Then a bowl of noodles with meat and vegetables was placed in front of me. Bean sprouts, noodles, mint and meat. A big soupy bowl made with love.

Chopsticks in hand, I attacked.  The tastes exploded in my mouth. I tried to take my time to enjoy the taste but I couldn’t stop shovelling it into my mouth. This is Vietnam food. An experience to be enjoyed and shared.

Must try foods.

Vietnamese food is becoming more recognized. Most have now heard of Pho and Banh Mi. But there is so much more to experience. Whether you are here on holiday or plan to work in Vietnam the food experience will excite you.

Here are a few of my favorite dishes.

The tastes from the humblest banh mi “sandwich” to the delights of soupy love will make you yearn for more.

Pho.

The mainstay of Vietnamese food. Widely popular and largely eaten for breakfast. Pho is made with flat rice noodles and mixed with slices of beef or chicken. Beef being the most popular.

The beef can be added either cooked or uncooked. The boiling broth will cook the meat as you wait. I much prefer this style as it keeps the beef tender.

The broth is what makes the Pho either great or only good. Everyone has their favorite Pho shop or stall.Mine is in Go Vap made by an old man and his wife who always smile and say hello to me.

The broth is made with star anise and cinnamon and cloves and adds a sweetness to the mix.

Then add the bean sprouts, mint and basil along with a squeeze of lemon and a small amount of chopped and crushed chilli and you will be  in foodie heaven.

Banh Mi   

It’s morning and I am running late for work. I am hungry. What will I buy?. A Banh Mi sandwich

A crispy bread roll smeared with pat’e and margarine. The fillings will include pork and cucumber and pickled vegetables and fresh cilantro. Sometimes I put a soy mix onto it as well.

It sounds simple, but bite into it and you will discover joy. This has saved me from hunger too many times to count. Standing and waiting with the local Vietnamese is also a great experience.

 

 Com Tam.

Like Pho, everyone has their favorite Com Tam stall or shop. Mine is in Binh Thanh, close to a hospital. Which is a great idea for me as I eat so much of it that one day I will keel over with pleasure.

Com Tam is made with “broken” rice and a caramelized pork chop or a piece of chicken. For me the best is the pork.

The final touches include a side of shredded pickled carrots and daikon, slices of cucumbers and tomatoes, and fried pork rinds and shallots for garnish.

Add to this a drizzle of green onion oil and nuoc cham. Nuoc Cham is a mix of fish sauce and sugar and chilli.

Eat this and you will never want to leave Vietnam.

 

Bun Bo Hue.

Bun Bo Hue is both beauty and taste. This amazingly colorful broth is the first sign of its strong and likeable flavour.

This is the result of hours spent simmering beef bones and stalks of lemongrass to produce a citrusy bowl of love

Add boiled vegetables with tender beef shanks and you will get slurpy satisfaction.

Beef soup, the word “bo” is Vietnamese for beef, but don’t be surprised when you see slices of sausage lurking in the bowl.

Cha Lua is a sausage made of ham paste that has a texture similar to  tofu.

Delicious and delightful

Banh Xeo.

Now we are talking. Fresh and fragrant and if you have never eaten it, you haven’t lived. Banh Xeo is a flat eggy looking pancake mix of meat, prawns and Vietnamese herbs and vegetables.

But is it with eggs, no, the  batter is made from rice flour and coconut milk. The yellowish tint is due to the addition of turmeric.

This savory pancake is filled with slices of boiled pork, minced pork, bean sprouts and shrimp and then folded in the manner of a crepe. A  bahn xeo shouldn’t be too soggy and is best eaten fresh off the skillet.


And after this we must have dessert.

Che.

Che is a dessert but is often bought by students and adults as a yummy cooling snack through the day. After a morning in the classroom and feeling sweaty, Che will take you away to the beach.

Che can be served either hot or cold. my preference being cold. Cold che is filled with jelly and tropical fruits. Bananas, mango and longan being popular. Coconut cream, red beans, mashed mung beans, crushed ice and lotus seeds can be added to this rainbow of delight.

Che is a tasty textural sensation. it will have you on your knees begging for more.

Conclusion

These are my top five “go to” meals and one dessert. There is so much more to discover and try that it would lead to fifty pages or a book if I tried to document them all.

Vietnam, it’s food and it’s people are amazing. It is well worth the time to travel here. look at my other pages about Vietnam to discover it’s hidden secrets. I hope to see you here. www.vietnamesl.com

To find out more about the food of Vietnam, have a look at these books that I highly recommend.

 

 

Any or all links on this site maybe affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

 

 

 

Expat in Vietnam | Teachers stories

 A view from up North.

Author: Dominic Fourie.

Where it all started.

I’ve been asked by my friend and owner of this website to give my perspective on living here as an ex-pat, ESL teacher, traveler, and aspiring freelancer to give my insight on my experiences in the Northern parts of Vietnam.

My name is Dominic, 34 originally from South Africa. I started my Vietnamese adventure in 2017, arriving in the largest and most bustling city of Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City.

I did an intensive TESOL course that equipped me well for all of the challenges I was about to experience teaching Vietnamese students in classrooms, ranging from kindergartens, language centers as well as public schools.

I quickly settled in and made the lesser-known district of Go Vap in HCMC my new home for the next twelve months. Although it’s a district completely unknown to the majority of ex-pats, and could very well be compared to jumping into the deep end of the pool for any newcomer,

I can look back on some very memorable experiences there. Nowhere else in Vietnam have I met as many friendly and welcoming locals that were always eager to meet a foreigner, exchange language, and have a dozen of beers.

Broadening my horizons.

After nearly a year of living in HCMC, I decided that I wanted to explore what the rest of Vietnam has on offer. I landed a full-time job in the picturesque town of Hoi An and I immediately packed my bags.

The moment I arrived in Central Vietnam I could feel the vast contrast to the madness of Saigon. Everything was different and mostly for the best, but unfortunately some for the worst as well. Although the locals were very friendly, it quickly came apparent that in a touristy town like Hoi An, they had absolutely no interest in foreigners that went beyond his wallet.

I lived there for 4 months before eventually moving down 300km South to Quy Nhon city, the absolute jewel of the Vietnamese coastline. Quy Nhon is known for having some of the most pristine beaches in Vietnam.

So what was it like living in Central Vietnam?

So after having spent close to a year living in Hoi An, Da Nang, and Quy Nhon I can honestly say that this part of Vietnam is probably the nearest to my heart.

The food is absolutely fantastic. The landscapes are breathtaking and the local Vietnamese folk are extremely welcoming. Whether it’s beaches or mountains, seafood or BBQs, nightlife or daytime adventures, Central Vietnam has got something for everyone.

Some of the highlights included Da Nang and Hue city, as well as the breathtakingly beautiful and slightly scary Hai Van, pass in between.

Da Nang is still in my opinion the most liveable city in Vietnam, if not perhaps all of Asia. The lifestyle here is what dreams are made of; cheap cost of living, close to nature with beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and beaches, as well as a very vibrant and cosmopolitan nightlife. Last but not least the local cuisine here is also some of the best that Vietnam has on offer.

Unfortunately, the downside is that there are very limited career opportunities for aspiring ESL teachers in the Central region of Vietnam.  The hourly teaching rate here is also considerably lower than in Hanoi and HCMC.

The vast majority of the ex-pats living here are teaching online for international companies, digital nomads, or retirees. At least that was the case up until around May 2021, when the new visa regulations made it impossible to stay here long-term on a tourist visa.

This inevitably resulted in what some would call a mass exodus of foreigners leaving Vietnam.

Venturing further North

I spent the next 8 months of my life teaching English in Vinh city, the birthplace of the famous General Ho Chi Minh.

Vinh city is a coastal city in the Southernmost part of Northern Vietnam. It’s a rather small but very close-knit ex-pat community there, where I’ve made some lasting friendships.

The local Vietnamese community there is a rather eclectic bunch, yet extremely welcoming towards foreigners, however, there is some truth to the saying that people up North are perhaps a bit more stoic and cold compared to their Southern counterparts in and around HCMC.

Arriving in ‘le capitale’

I finally made my way up to Hanoi city at the end of the Tet holiday festival in 2020, having received a very promising job offer in an English language center here. Unfortunately, this was at the same time that Covid-19 started making headlines around the world.

Public schools and private educational institutions remained closed for the next 4 months. By the end of May 2020 everything slowly started opening up again and life returned to some sort of normality.

Unfortunately, this was short-lived as we started going in and out of lockdown again by the start of 2021. Nevertheless, I decided to stick around and make Hanoi my base for at least the next year or two.

North vs South Vietnam

What are the biggest differences between living and teaching in Hanoi vs HCMC?

The average hourly teaching wage in Hanoi is slightly higher than in the South, $20-23 p/h compared to $18 to$20 offered in HCMC. This of course depends on other variables such as experience, qualifications, and teaching technique demonstrated during your demo lesson.

Unfortunately, the continued lockdowns are wreaking havoc on the whole ESL industry and private institutions are certainly feeling it in their pockets. This could lead to lower salaries in the near future.

The economical effects of the pandemic is therefore also lowering the demand for learning English. In these uncertain times where a lot of local families are struggling to put food on the table, learning a 2nd language is not going to feature very high on the priority list.

If there is one thing I’ve learned in my 4 years in Vietnam is that the principle of supply and demand, is applied with a different sense of logic here. As is the case with most other things here. What would make absolutely no sense to a foreigner, would seem to make logical sense to a local and vice versa! We call it Vinalogic…

To get back on topic though, regarding the differences between Hanoi and Saigon. The most notable difference to me would be the weather.

Personally, I prefer the 4 seasons of the North compared to the 2 in the South. Autumn and Spring is an ideal time to go and explore the mountainous regions of Northern Vietnam. There are plenty of hiking and adventure trails as little as 30 mins away from Hanoi.

Hanoi is also slightly less chaotic than HCMC, with a little bit less traffic and noise. However, make no mistake…it is still chaotic and noisy as it is after all Vietnam!

A lot of foreigners would argue that the local population in Hanoi is less friendly than in HCMC and to a certain extent, there is a bit of truth to that. You are less likely to get approached randomly on the street or at a street-side beer stall, by a local who wants to take a selfie and down a couple of beers with a foreigner.

Hanoians are completely unfazed by foreigners for the most part….and I kind of like that. In contrast to that, in HCMC I used to get approached so often that at times it started to become slightly annoying. The novelty of the ‘celebrity’ status that a foreigner is given at times, soon wears off.

Final thoughts.

In conclusion though, what are my thoughts on teaching ESL in Vietnam and would I recommend it to anyone back home? Personally, I’ve found teaching in Vietnam extremely fulfilling, yet at the same time extremely frustrating and challenging due to the business culture and management style of the Vietnamese school administrators. The Covid-19 pandemic also added its own challenges to the mix.

Like most other foreign teachers here, I didn’t come to SEA with the intention of making a lifelong career out of teaching ESL. Be that as it may, I can honestly say that I was always committed to giving it my all, and I never half-arsed a single lesson.

Teaching English in Vietnam gave me the opportunity to explore one of the most beautiful and unique countries in the world, meet the most fascinating people, taste the most exotic cuisine….last, but most importantly it allowed me the opportunity to reflect on my own identity and life path. It made me realize what is truly important to me and what makes me inspired and motivated as a person.

In hindsight, if I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing. Every single day over the last four years turned out to be an adventure on its own. I’ve had some good days, I’ve had some bad days…but I’ve never had a single boring day in Vietnam.

Author: Dominic Fourie.

Dominic also added a lot of photos which I will be adding to my website soon.

Join the Hanoi Massive Community on Facebook to find out more.

For further information about Teaching in Vietnam please visit my site. www.vietnamesl.com 

 

Vietnamese Caf’e | strong as Superman

This is a picture of Caf’e sua da. Iced coffee with condensed milk and a kick that will wake you up instantly.

Vietnamese Coffee.

Vietnamese coffee is arguably some of the best in the world. And it has saved me time and time again in the classroom.

But let’s talk about Vietnamese coffee and the culture of coffee in Vietnam first.

If you think the major chains are producing good coffee you have a fantastic experience waiting for you.

Vietnamese coffee is strong. It is mainly made with Robusta and sometimes Arabica beans. It has a very high caffeine level with 200-300 grams per serve being normal. It will have you up and running in no time.

This coffee is as strong as Superman and can be bitter to those unaccustomed to the taste. Most Vietnamese put sugar in their coffee. Milk does not go in coffee in Vietnam. Condensed milk is the “go-to’ if you want white coffee. It also makes it sweeter.

There are three main types of coffee you can buy in the coffee shops. Caf’e Den ( Black Coffee), Caf’e Sua Da (Coffee with condensed milk and ice), and Caf’e Da ( Black coffee with ice). Try them all in one sitting and you won’t need your motorbike to get home. You can fly home.

Coffee shops in Vietnam are like the bars of the USA or Australia. You will never be far from a coffee shop in Vietnam. From the smallest village to the biggest city. Coffee shops, from the luxurious to street coffee stalls, are everywhere to be found.

The Southern Highlands.

Most of the Coffee plantations are located in the highlands of Vietnam. Places like Dalat and Pleiku.

I spent 9 months teaching the wonderful children and teenagers in Pleiku. Pleiku is an interesting city with a lot of Russian architecture. They helped Vietnam rebuild after the war. It is a very quiet city where most shops and businesses are closed by 9 pm.

If you come to Vietnam, I would recommend getting out of the major cities and exploring some of the less-traveled areas.

We went on a field trip in Pleiku and I could smell the coffee as we drove past the plantations.It was total sensory overload. Even on a bus with 50 sweaty students and teachers, I could still smell the amazing aromas.

What did the teachers drink for lunch, beer? Damn. Pleiku and Dalat are a lot hillier than the coastal cities. They are also cooler with fresh breezes that invigorate the soul. A perfect environment for growing and harvesting excellent coffee beans.

Coffee and the Classroom.

Coffee may be the second favorite drink of ESL Teachers in Vietnam. But it is the one allowed in the classroom. Coffee in the classroom is enjoyed by both the Teachers and the students.

OMG, I first thought when I entered a classroom and the kids, 8 and 9-year-olds, were knocking back coffee and Red Bull.

Just what you need when you have had a big night and the students are bouncing off the walls. “What are you drinking”, It’s ok teacher, it’s not beer.

How to make a Vietnamese Coffee.

I am going to talk about making a Caf’e sua da. Because with everything else you just leave out some ingredients.

You will need,

Course ground coffee. Trung Nguyen is a popular and trustworthy brand found in most supermarkets and shops.

A Phin. A small metal drip filter system. It takes a few minutes to prepare, so be patient. The phin comes in 4 parts. A larger circular “tray” fits over your glass. Then the main “bowl” where you put a teaspoon or two ( I like it strong) in the bottom of the bowl. Slowly pour a little boiling water over this. Then add the 2nd circular “tray” that comes with a handle, on top of this. Add more coffee, 2 more teaspoons, to the 2nd tray.  Yahoo. Then put the lid on the top. And wait.

Condensed milk. Yes condensed not the normal milk. Vietnamese coffee is bitter. let’s sweeten it up.

Ice. Or Da in Vietnamese. It is hot here. let us get our hit and stay cool at the same time.

Boiling water. Come on, you know how to do that.

Preparation.

Get a long tall glass, I like it fancy. Fill up with about 10 mills of condensed milk. Different regions of Vietnam use different amounts. I was in Tra Vinh, in the South, and they use a lot.

Next, boil the water.  While the water is boiling, or do it before, ( I am not the coffee police) put your coarse ground coffee in the Phin. Hang in there, I told you where.

Pour the boiling water on the top. The Phin should be on top of the glass with the condensed milk. If not, you got some cleaning to do.

Now, wait……   Wake up, it’s ready.

Now, add the ice. Not big chunky bits. beat it down a bit. Most Vietnamese have a small cloth bag they can break up their ice in. Civilization.

Enjoy.

For caf’e den, no ice or condensed milk. For Caf’e Sua Den, no condensed milk.

Now you are an expert. Practice, refine to your taste, wear a Vietnamese hat, and freak out your neighbors.


If you want to try this at home, you will need these. To find out more about Vietnam visit my site.

Any or all links on this site may be affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation, you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Covid in Vietnam

Craziness is in the air.

My crazy moment was when I was riding down the street to the ATM and saw a dog wearing a mask.

People are spooked and so are the animals apparently.

The new Delta variant have people worried. The Government of Vietnam have bought in the decree, directive 16. This practices social distancing. And I say “practice” for a reason. People are becoming complacent and masks are being worn at chin level. You can muzzle the dog, but not the people.

Caught without a mask, the Canh Sat (Police) will fine you 3 million dong which is about $130 US. A huge amount for a lot of Vietnamese.

There is food on the shelves of supermarkets now. We went crazy and bought enough for 3 months. Hold on, that’s how long it has gone on.

Crazy number 3. Our fridge stopped working. How do you eat 2 months of food. You don’t, you give it away.

The 2nd of August 2021.

I have been here 15 years and thought nothing can shock me anymore. How wrong was I. By 8am there were another reported 3,000 new cases of Covid around the country.

To the end of July 29th there were reported 128,413 cases with 31,780 people recovering and officially reported 863 deaths. The World health organization have reported 157,507 cases with 1,306 deaths. WHO.

From a vibrant bustling city, Ho Chi Minh has turned into a ghost town. The normal bustling coffee shops, bars and restaurants are all closed and many expats have gone home and the locals are suffering.

We have been in lockdown mode for 3 months and everyone is hurting. No work, no money, no honey.

A lot of English Teachers have gone home and those that remain are picking up work where they can. .On line teaching, remote tech jobs and selling their stuff. Cheap motorbikes abound. Prices go down when money’s not around..

Curfew is a word associated with control. Here curfew is not just a word. All citizens of Ho Chi Minh City must be behind doors by 6pm. 6pm to 6am. Let’s see what happens in 9 months time. The Covid generation.

Shopping with Covid.

Go to the shops, show a docket. A Vietnamese lady was knocking on my gate. Gates, locks and spiked fences keep those burglars away. She shoved a piece of paper in my face. And in my basic Vietnamese I understood she said. “need it to go shopping” So we have set days we can go to the shops to buy food. Great if you don’t have a fridge.

 

Most Vietnamese still shop at the traditional markets. But these have been closed by the Government and you can only shop at Supermarkets or the local green stores called Bach Hoa Xanh.

If your local shop is open, they have given a special gift to the local authorities. $$$. There is a twenty million dong fine if they are caught trading without being NICE. Welcome to Vietnam. A quick rule of thumb for monetary conversions is halve it and take off a bit more and some zero’s. About $900 US.

You will get used to it after your first taxi ride. Beautiful people who love money.

Gas (petrol) has amazingly come down in price. But no one can go out or travel far . Just about everything else has gone up. Meat, vegetables , rice, all the prices have gone up.

Can I teach?

Yes you can, but it will be on line. The “scuttlebutt”, gossip, call it what you will, is that schools will re-open in September. I have been here a long time and I am waiting to find out the same answer.

Crazy number 001.. When I first came to Vietnam I was teaching in an English center. Lots of great students, long hours and ok money. I was tired so my friend organized a “Xe-Om” for me. A “Xe-Om” is a motorbike taxi. So here I am, really tired and saw someone who waved. Kool, I thought. I am going home. I jumped on the back of the motorbike and said, Di Di. Go Go.

He turned around and gave me a sheepish grin. Very nice but bemused. Then one of my students came out and said, why are you on my dads’ motorcycle. I looked around and saw my “Xe-Om” driver laughing and gesticulating uncontrollably. OMG.

Rumors.

Teaching in Vietnam will be back to normal in September. Rumors. The government will have the Corona virus under control by September. Rumors..

What I do think is that any teacher who comes to Vietnam will be required to have the Covid vaccine.

Some websites are talking about free food and gifts for all. My family and the people in my street are still waiting. What is said and what happens are two different things. 1.5 million Dong for each family. I must be blind.

I do not want to debate if it has been tested enough or whatever theories there are. But I am pretty sure if you want to walk into a classroom you will need to show that you have been vaccinated.

A Message.

Vietnam is a strange and wonderful country. The people here are the same as everyone. Beautiful, ambitious, challenging and sometimes obnoxious. We all bleed the same color. We all come from the same world. One day we will all realize that.

This is the time for those who can to help. Help your family, help your friends.

We are all living in crazy times.

Wrap it up.

After I started my website, www.vietnamesl.com, I never thought I would be writing about Covid-19 or directive 16 or the Delta version. I just wanted to help teachers. Now I want to help my neighbors as well.

Vietnam has suffered a lot in the past and here is a small record of what happened and their new History.

 

Any or all links on this site maybe affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Any and all comments will be answered.

English Teaching in Vietnam

Vietnam has a lively vibrant culture.

Where and why?

Finding a destination that meets your social and work needs requires research and a lot of thought, but this can be difficult when there are so many ESL teaching jobs around. With the world literally at your feet, you need to make a decision.

The decision process can be challenging, so let me help you narrow down your options by giving you a few reasons why teaching English in Vietnam might be the right idea for you.

Why teach English in Vietnam?

There are a lot of reasons why people move to Vietnam. From teaching English to learning about a new culture and traveling. and enjoying all the amazing things Vietnam has to offer. And there is the monetary side as well. T

The salary of an English teacher in Vietnam is pretty good.

So, let’s go, here are the top 8 reasons why I think teaching English in Ho Chi Minh City is a good idea.

The cost of living.

  Vietnam is extremely affordable. It is a great location for an ESL teacher.

Rental properties can range from 5,000,000 dong to 30,000,000 million dong and more if you want the best. .That is $220 US to $1,320 US per month.

Food also is very cheap, with a bowl of Pho going for 50,000 dong. About $2.20 US.

And yes, you can get pizza and steaks and Mexican food and much more. The major cities have a cosmopolitan feel these days.

Buying a motorbike is cheap and you can get a good motorcycle for 25,000,000 dong. $1,100 US. Beer is 15,000 dong for a Tiger beer. Less than 70 cents US per can.8-).

There are a lot of Teaching jobs.

 Asia is typically associated with a wealth of job opportunities for ESL teachers. This makes it a very popular choice. Vietnam is regularly recruiting English language teachers for a variety of positions. A lot of ESL jobs in Vietnam are in language schools, where you could be teaching a range of students. For example, many adults will attend classes to learn English in private English schools. .

Travel. 

And naturally, travel opportunities will play a big role in your decision process.

Bordering China and Cambodia and Laos, Vietnam is perfectly situated within Southeast Asia and is just a short flight away from many of these must-see destinations. The continent opens up to you. What might have been viewed as a holiday of a lifetime will be accessible to you in a fraction of the time and more importantly, at a fraction of the cost.


Live like a Local. 

As an English teacher in Vietnam, you get to experience one of Asia’s largest, fastest growing countries. And not as a tourist living in hotels, traveling on tour buses, or bunking with backpackers in hostels.  You will live like a local. Live in a typical Vietnamese neighborhood, shop in local markets, and break bread or slurp Pho with colleagues, neighbors, and friends at corner noodle stands and coffee shops.

Pick up some Vietnamese language skills, enjoy the cuisine, and enjoy travel opportunities that friends back home can only dream about. And I won’t even mention the big nights out.

The Food and Coffee.

Vietnam, where one can eat a banh Mi ( a world class sandwich) while drinking an amazing cup of coffee ( Caf’e Sua Da). You can find these on almost any street corner.. Combining traditional Chinese and Southeast Asian techniques and flavors with an extraordinary array of seafood and produce,

Vietnam is an eater’s heaven. From hearty noodle soups, to fresh salads and mouth watering grilled fare, Vietnamese cuisine is balanced, fresh, healthy, and most of all tasty. 

2,000 Miles of  spectacular Coastline.

Living in Vietnam means you are never far from the coast. Vietnam has more than 2,000 miles of coastline, including  beautiful tropical beaches, traditional fishing villages, dynamic port cities, and ancient imperial capitals.

The highlight is  Ha Long Bay. Known as the “Descending Bay of Dragons,”.   Or in Vietnamese. “Vinh Rong Xuon”

This stunning seascape of some 2,000 limestone islands and islets off the coast of North Vietnam makes it one of the most spectacular sights to be experienced anywhere. The basis of many ancient myths and legends,

Ha Long Bay has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is best explored by a Junk. A Vietnamese boat. This is a great way to discover  local attractions, including traditional floating fishing villages and underground grottos and caves.

Life along the Mekong River  pretty sweet too. Like the Nile, the Amazon, or any of the great rivers of the world, the Mekong both gives and defines life for those who live along the banks. A journey through the Mekong Delta reveals a dazzling world of colorful floating markets, traditional stilted villages, magnificent beauty, and thousands of years of history and culture embodied in ancient pagodas, temples, and palaces.

Change someone’s life.

Teaching in Vietnam not only provides the means to live and become immersed in this fascinating country, but also provides the opportunity of a lifetime. You can make a huge impact on the lives of others. To millions of Vietnamese, learning English can open doors to educational and professional opportunities.

This will enhance their living standards while helping build a better future for their families. It is an amazing feeling to help English language students learn a language that will help them in the future. And it is fun at the same time. Teaching in Vietnam could be YOUR road to a meaningful and fulfilled life abroad.

Get International Work Experience for Your Resume 

In our  globalised economy  international work experience and a proven ability to work with people from different cultures are skills that are highly sought after by employers.

As an English teacher in Vietnam you will gain professional experience in one of the world’s fastest growing economic regions. Vietnam serves as an amazing platform no matter what professional or academic tasks are undertaken.

There are plenty of transferable skills to a multitude of career paths after teaching abroad. Or, you might end up deciding to make an entire career out of being an ESL Teacher. 8_)).

What Now?

Decide where to go. Figuring out where to teach in Vietnam isn’t easy. The fantastic hypnotic Mekong delta? Vibrant Ho Chi Minh City, Bustling Hanoi, Serene Sapa? Choose somewhere that’s right for you. A quiet town or bustling city.

  • Get TESOL or TEFL certified. It will give you absolutely everything you need to prepare for the classroom (well, except for an ability to think on your feet!). Teacher Training.
  • Adults, kids, private schools, public schools? Spend time considering the type of teaching environment you’d most like to be involved in. How to Teach.
  • Choose the best school. Pay attention to past teachers’ reviews. Ask questions on line. FETV is a great site for teachers in Vietnam. ( On Facebook), Ask about the schools or  and organizations reputation, location, and your ease of getting started as a paid employee. Public school ( Regular hours ) or Language Center. (Night work and Saturday and Sunday). FETV  You will need to join, but ask me if you have problems.
  • Plan your finances.  Sort out funding before you go to afford daily essentials and splurge in travel. Research how much you need to take. What to bring.
  • Get prepared! Maps and phrase books are useful to new arrivals. Maps. Phrase books/Lonely Planet.  

Ready, Set, GO!

Are you ready for one of the most exciting chapters of your life? I think so. And I think Vietnam is the perfect place for anyone who wants adventure in their lives. Your future is as bright as you want to make it

Any or all links on this site maybe affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

Any feedback is most welcome. Please feel free to leave a comment. Steve. 

 

Schools for Teaching On Line.

Are you Teaching? Want to teach?

Here are some schools that accept English speakers to teach on line.

Teaching on line presents it’s own challenges and I have provided access to a great provider of on line teaching resources.

English teaching jobs online are the key to convenient, meaningful, and well-paid work! Teaching online is a great gig to fund your travels, be location independent, and immerse yourself in another culture. Many ESL teachers are getting out their laptops and applying for online English language teaching jobs as oppose to the traditional in-class teaching position. If you’ve got a knack for working with ESL learners and don’t quite want to commit to a contract abroad, teaching ESL online may be just for you.

Check it out here.  

Twinkl for On Line Teachers – Teaching ESL in Vietnam 2021 (vietnamesl.com)

OK, here are some of the schools that teach on line.

International.


And more…..

Here’s a shortlist of the best online English teaching jobs this year, according to experienced travelers and ESL teachers:

Asia

I make nothing out of this post, so please support my other pages so I can continue to provide this information.

www.vietnamesl.com 

Any and all feedback is welcome. I always respond . Thanks for your support.

Twinkl for On Line Teachers

Teaching on line is too hard.

A lot of teachers are now teaching on line. Are you one of them? Have you ever done it before? The learning curve for teaching on line can be very steep if you haven’t done it before. 

We become so set in one way of teaching that when we are forced to change,it can be difficult. 

But there are some resources that can make it esier for us.One of these is twinkl.

What is a Twinkl?

Twinkl are there to ‘help those who teach’. And those who teach on line..

They create educational resources that can be used at each step of a child’s learning journey.

Their teacher-created resources provide entire schemes of work, lesson planning and assessments right through to online educational games, augmented reality and so much more.

They have over 525,000 resources and new content gets added every day. You’ll find they have normally got what you need..

Everything they do supports the global teaching community and they are committed to helping people by providing educational resources..

They support and work with educators across the world, including ESL teachers, primary and secondary teachers, childminders, nursery workers, home educators and parents.

All Twinkl resources are teacher-made and can be used by anyone, anywhere.l.

Should I sign up? How much is it?

Access 40,000 FREE resources

Why sign up to Twinkl.? They have more resources than ever before. Each one has been written by a teacher, designed by a designer, illustrated by an illustrator and checked by a teacher.

You can trust all of their content to be accurate, meet curriculum objectives and look beautiful. Whether you’re a teacher looking for displays, assessment and powerpoints or a parent looking for activities, homework or crafts.

You can access 40,000 FREE resources when you sign up to an account.

 Or access over 500,000+ resources with a paid membership. Membership is about $3.00 per month. That is money well invested if you are struggling online. Or stick to the free membership. 40,000 free resources should keep you teaching for a long time online.

Another great reason to sign up to Twinkl is the ability to create your own resources or to edit the content they provide. Head over to Twinkl Create to create your own versions of activities, displays and even memes!

It’s ideal to personalise, differentiate and adapt content for your class, your children or your classroom. Also, look out for the ability to adapt resources with names or pictures of your own.

 As teachers, we all know how important differentiating is..

97% of teachers agree that Twinkl helps improve their work/life balance. Made for teachers by teachers, Twinkl’s bank of teaching resources can save you valuable planning time and boost your confidence in the classroom or on line.. 

On line sharing with students.

Transform your teaching by sharing any Twinkl resource with your children online. This step by step guide for teachers shows you how any Twinkl resource can be shared with your students. Your students can activate their devices for remote learning.

 Save time distributing resources to groups of children and make your lesson stress-free. Their blog covers how to share Twinkl resources directly with your students using either a PIN code or Personal Child Logins method.


Why Share?

Sharing  resources can change the way you teach and your students learn.  It’ll help you to give your students something that is more interesting. They can watch videos they can look at anything you send. They can download or print what you have sent .

Online resource sharing also means you cut down on time spent at the printer and sending out emails and messages to your students.

With the methods that Twinkl have got to share the resources from your account you’ll spend less time on prep and have more time for teaching.

There are two methods of using Twinkl ‘lessons’ combining interactive and downloadable resources. Then sharing them quickly and easily with your class. Both are available as part of your regular Twinkl subscription. Yep, this one is not free.

  1. The PIN code method – which you have by default – allows you to share lessons, with a PIN code for each lesson.
  2. The Personal Child Login method – which you need to activate – allows you to share multiple lessons with custom groups, using the same login details every time. 

PIN Code Method Summary

Using the PIN Code method, you put together resources for a ‘lesson’, get a PIN code for the lesson and the children access it via that PIN. 

  1. You can share one ‘lesson’ at once with any child you’ve given the PIN to – one PIN per lesson
  2. There’s no need to set up child logins
  3. You have PIN code access by default, you don’t need to activate it
  4. You can use this method with any Twinkl subscription to share any site or resources your subscription covers. It’s included at no additional cost.

How Children Access Lessons via PIN-Code

Children log in at either twinkl.co.uk/go or twinkl.co.uk/share. They:

Enter the PIN for the particular lesson you want them to use

Enter PIN code

How to Share using Personal Child Logins

Personal Child Logins Summary

  1. You can group your children and deliver lessons and resources directly to groups – anyone in those groups will get the lessons automatically, with no need to share. So you can allocate any resource to your whole class or an individual..
  2. Your children log in the same way each time, with a class PIN, a username and password. They use the same PIN every time you allocate a lesson.
  3. Your children see every lesson and resource that’s currently allocated to them in their personal ‘My Lessons’ view.
  4. You can use this method with any Twinkl subscription.

How do I join?

It’s really easy to join, simply head over to their sign up page to create a free account. 

What are you thinking?

I know. Your thinking I am making money out of this. NO I am not. I do not get any monetary or non monetary kickback for this page. So please support my other pages at vietnamesl.com.  

Thanks for reading, I hope this helps those on line teachers who are struggling. 

Please provide feedback, I will respond.

 And pass it on to those who need it.

Mondly Super Sale | Learn languages

 

MONDLY Language learning app.     Mondly is offering 96% off normal price.

 

Mondly is a great app to learn languages.  This lifetime app allows you to learn up to 41 languages.

Mondly is also a very easy app to use. I highly recommend it. Make sure you take up this offer quickly as it will not last.

For more information about this app please click on this link

Mondly App | Best App to Learn Languages – Teaching ESL in Vietnam 2021 (vietnamesl.com)

Special offer for July only.

Mondly is offering Lifetime Access to Mondly with a 96% discount (all current & future languages & features included + free access to 2 of our other apps: Mondly Kids and Mondly AR). To access this offer click here.
The promotion is live until the end of July,

If you want to take up this offer you need to act fast. Click NOW.

Click on Mondly now for the latest price. $90.00

Any or all links on this site maybe affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation you could actually save money.

 



 

Leap Frog | Leap pad Tablet.

What is a leapfrog | Leap pad tablet? 

A leapfrog tablet is a learning tablet that is preloaded with more than 20 educator-approved apps that explore math, reading, writing, problem-solving and creativity skills. In a nutshell it is a fun way for children to learn.

Why Should I buy It?

Fun learning games are a great way to build your child’s basic skills in math and language skills. These are a necessary requirement for the elementary school curriculum. . Also, they teach essential skills for preschool and early learners. For that reason, Fun Learning Games were made with children in mind. This makes learning fun and your children will want to learn.

Laugh and Learn, The Benefits of game based learning.

Computer style learning Games are a great  way to build important skills that children need to succeed.

Educational games for kids play an important role in making learning fun and interesting.

Children enjoy learning with educational games on computers.

They can learn math, languages, and much more. These make their learning experience rewarding and fun.

There is an idea that gaming has a bad effect on your child’s educational development. This is far from the truth. There are very many reasons to challenge this idea. Gaming is a basic component of engaging the child and providing fun-based learning.

What does it teach?

Skills

  • Coding
  • Counting
  • Creative Expression
  • Environmental Science
  • Life Science
  • Mathematical Reasoning
  • Music & Rhythm
  • Reading Comprehension
  • Spelling
  • Visual Puzzles

What is included.

Preloaded content

Includes preloaded content. It features core skills in mathematics, reading and science as well as music, puzzles, logic and creativity.

Powerful processor

Built with fast, powerful quad-core processor for lightning-fast fun.

Kid-smart fun

Access to 1000+ learning games, videos, eBooks and more. All designed and approved by LeapFrog® educators. And it’s kid-tough and kid-friendly right out of the box.

Personalized learning

Features Just for Me™ learning technology. Personalizes select games, remembers curricular progress and automatically adjusts learning levels.

Extras.

Educator-approved games and apps

Choose from hundreds of fun learning games. E Books, apps, videos, music and more—designed by learning experts, just for children!

Leap frogs learning library has 2,600 options.

 

Technical Specs.

Leap pad ultimate specs.

Screen Shatter-resistant 7-inch multi-touch capacitive screen
Resolution 1024×600 screen resolution
Rechargeable battery Built-in lithium ion
Battery life 5+ hours
Speed 1.0GHz
Memory size 8GB memory
micro SD Card Slot No
Operating System Brio OS
Camera 2MP front and back cameras
Video recorder 480p video recording
Weight (kg) 1.205
Dimensions (inches) 9.06 x 5.88 x 1
Manufacturer’s warranty 1-year warranty
Included content value Explore 15+ preloaded apps & videos
Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth® No
Audio 3.5mm stereo jack with microphone
Accelerometer Yes
Access to LeapFrog® Learning Library
and approved Android™ apps*		 Yes
Open web access with parental approval No
Automatically adjusts skill level** Yes
Parent controls Yes
Time controls Yes
Recommended age range 3-9 years

 

Also comes in pink. And there are over 2,000 games and learning activities available.

Special Offer | Buy now while it lasts.


LeapFrog is as committed as ever. They help making learning fun and support parents with the tools they need to keep kids learning.

LeapFrog is offering an extended 2-month free trial of their interactive learning program.

LeapFrog Academy offer reduced pricing on 6-month and 12-month plans for parents who want to keep the learning going.

 

Price. $119.89 from Amazon.      Leap pad Ultimate $172.01.       Delivery to your door.

Click on the above link and start your children’s learning at home.

Also please look my other offers on my website.

Great Teachers Tool – Teaching ESL in Vietnam 2021 (vietnamesl.com)

 

Any or all links on this site maybe affiliate links, and if you purchase something through those links I will make a small commission on them.

There will be no extra cost to you and at times due to my affiliation you could actually save money.

You can read our full affiliate disclosure here.

 

 

ESL Resources for Teachers

New Ideas.

Delivering exciting new ideas and fun activities for your ESL class is important. But eventually we all run out of ideas and find ourselves teaching the same thing or the same way.

If you can relate to that, know your students are getting bored.

But I am so busy, I don’t have time to properly do a lesson plan or research new material for my classes.

We can become so busy teaching and making money that we forget to invest time in providing new material into our lessons. And yes, I mean INVEST. The time taken to improve your teaching WILL result in you being highly regarded as a teacher and what does that give you?. More money.

New Material.

So how do we find time to look for new material for our students? It is all on line. But to save you time I have listed the five top websites I use. I have been an ESL teacher for 15 years and now have two ESL schools, so I know a little bit. LOL.

Here we go, my five top sites. Not in order of preference.

English Worksheets.  www.englishwsheets.com

Englishwsheets.com provides free esl printable pdf worksheets for you. ESL Printable Vocabulary Worksheets, Picture Dictionaries, Matching Exercises, Word Search Puzzles, Crossword Puzzles, Missing Letters in Words and Unscramble the Words Exercises, Multiple Choice Tests, Flashcards, Vocabulary Learning Cards, ESL Fidget Spinner and Dominoes Games, English Language Learning Resources for kids, teenagers, adults, parents and teachers.

Busy Teacher.  www.busyteacher.org

Busy teacher provides over 17,000 printable worksheets and lesson plans which are free of charge. These were written by teachers for teachers. There are worksheets, posters, books, song sheets and so much more.

ESL Galaxy.  www.esl-galaxy.com

ESL Galaxy offers over 2368 free printable worksheets for ESL lesson plans and ESL Activities; and there are more additions every other day .The worksheets include lessons for kindergarten, games and worksheets. Grammar and vocabulary games along with board games and songs and video activities. There are communicative activities, powerpoints and interactive games. A great website. :

ESL Video   www.eslvideo.com

ESL Video provides a lot of videos from beginners to advanced with quizzes and lessons. Made by teachers for  teachers. Use video to engage learners to improve their listening, speaking, grammar, and vocabulary skills. You can also create your own quizzes and save them on the site.

ESL Games World   www.eslgamesworld.com

This site is dedicated to helping teachers by providing fun ESL games for the classrooms, powerpoint games and templates, printable board games , interactive games, games for ESL children and Adults.

 

New Life.

There are a lot of websites about teaching ESL which provide resources for your everyday activities. So please make the effort so your students enjoy your classes. It will repay you a thousand times over. And not just in money. A great teacher can change the world.

Products that may help.

The ESL teachers book of lists from Amazon and ESL games in the classroom101. And the ESL teachers toolbox also from Amazon.