A Website helping English Teachers in Vietnam.

It is challenging and amazing at the same time.

My Adventures in Vietnam.

I stepped off the plane in Ho Chi Minh city on route to Hanoi and shared a bus with about 50 people on my flight to get from the plane to the hangar. OMG, I thought what have I done.

I was the only foreigner on the plane,15 plus years ago, as all the returning Vietnamese families were coming back for the TET holiday.

The first thing I noticed was the smell. The people smelled different, somehow fresher. It took me a while to figure out that the Vietnamese diet is much healthier than the meat-based diet I had been on. 

I was told later that the Vietnamese can smell the foreigners’ meat-induced excretions and generally find it unpleasant.

A brief skip forward. 

It was 3 years later, while working in a public school in Go Vap, that I was told by a Vietnamese teacher that I was voted as the best smelling foreigner. lol.

Off to Hanoi.

After having to collect my few bags and physically carry them to my connecting flight I was off to Hanoi. I had arranged a pick up from the airport in Hanoi and he was waiting for me casually at the gates.

My first taste of Vietnamese traffic, inside a car, was an unforgettable experience. I thought my driver was demented, little did I know this is the standard driving form in Vietnam. 

Road fatalities

The road fatality statistics are staggering in Vietnam. I have personally seen over 5 deaths on the road. 

Not counting the person who road off a bridge. There was a crowd of people watching him either drown or survive. It is considered rude to help and possibly interfere with the will of God. 

Vietnamese are a proud people who are also quick on the uptake for business opportunities as I discovered this day. A food vendor pulled up on his bicycle and started selling food to the close on 50 people watching.

On with the story 

After being driven back to my hotel, 40% of the time on the wrong side of the road and never slower than 50 kph in a 40 kph zone, I unpacked and went for a walk.

I needed a beer to calm my nerves. I saw men sitting outside a Bia Ahoi shop, which is a homemade beer shop, and ordered a glass of beer. It was an amazing taste and an amazing experience.

Once again I was the only foreigner and a lot of people looked at me. I did feel a bit uncomfortable, so to loosen things up I bought everyone a beer. An instant success, people came up shaking my hand and saying things in Vietnamese that I totally didn’t understand.

But I understood the smiles and heartfelt gratitude of these people. I was instantly in love with this country. How could I not be?. Three hours and $20 dollars later ( Beer was .20 cents per glass ) I was roundly thanked before the then nightly curfew.

Not before someone had rung and gotten a friend of theirs who spoke English. It was a night that I will always remember, along with so many others.

Off to Halong Bay 

Three days later after exploring around the French quarter of Hanoi and Swan lake I was off to Halong Bay to spend a few days on a “Junk” boat.

This was no junk boat but a beautifully equipped 5 star floating hotel My bedroom was coated in jade paneling. 

It was a bit “patchy” at times. Like getting on and off the boat. Walking down stone steps to get on a “dinghy” that takes you to the boat, then climbing up a small ladder. All changed now from what I have heard.

Vietnamese Humor.

Getting off the boat was just as exciting and showed me the humor of the Vietnamese. Unfortunately, we had a very loud, obnoxious man on the cruise with us. 

As he was getting off the boat into the dinghy, he slipped and fell into his much younger Vietnamese “wife” 

I could not help myself and sniggered, not loud but just loud enough for the Vietnamese staff to smile back at me. I was rewarded later with a few free drinks.

The drinking culture, whether coffee or beer, is big in Vietnam. You can find out more in my post about ” Coffee Culture”

Da Nang, Nha Trang and Hoi An.

After three wonderful days cruising around one of the natural wonders of the world, I was off again on my next mini adventure.

If Da Nang and Nha Trang resonate with you it might be because of the American and Vietnamese conflict. ( Which is forgotten by the younger generation) 

Times change.

Da Nang and Nha Trang are now beautiful cities in their own right. Cosmopolitan but still with the distinctive Vietnamese flavor. There are ex-pat communities everywhere in Vietnam and these two cities are no exception. 

I had a beautiful ocean view hotel in both Da Nang and Nha Trang and had a great time, but it was Hoi An and ‘My Son” that won me over. 

Hoi An

Hoi An is beautiful, yes it is a touristy town but the architecture alone is worth the visit. There are some incredible houses that have internal open courtyards surrounded by plants that you can visit. 

Shopping here is fantastic and fast. I ordered a silk dressing gown and had it delivered within 24 hours at a price that I am embarrassed to say because it was so cheap.

I strolled from shop to shop and one I walked through had 200 plus incense sticks burning at the same time. The fragrant aroma of the incense was pretty strong, but a delight to experience.

My Son

If you have never been to My Son you are missing out on an incredible time.

“During the 4th to 13th centuries, there was a unique culture on the coast of contemporary Vietnam, owing to its spiritual origins to the Hinduism of India. This is graphically illustrated by the remains of a series of impressive tower temples in a dramatic site that was the religious and political capital of the Champa Kingdom for most of its existence.

My Son Sanctuary dates from the 4th to the 13th centuries CE.”

Unesco.org

Source; Unesco.org

I was taken to my Son by a young surly Vietnamese teenager and saw my first accident in Vietnam. A truck had run over a man on a motorbike. This doesn’t bode well for my day, I thought. 

It was a terrible accident and one I have become, unfortunately, accustomed to, however, the day itself turned out to be great.

Let me explain.

I went out early in the morning to avoid the heat of the day. Shorts and T-shirt, but still sweating at 7 am in the morning. If nothing else, Vietnam is hot. 

I spent the entire morning, and could easily have been the whole day apart from my surly guide, walking around the amazing broken and semi-broken structures of the Cham Hindu-inspired architecture.

If you are an avid photographer the opportunities available are enormous. Green jungles, old ruins, and if you get the time right, few people.

A lot of the brickwork is decaying and at that time there was no understanding of how it was made. The “cement” and “bricks” have not been able to be replaced because the technology of making them has been lost.

After I left I went back to my amazing riverside accommodation, where I could overlook the river and watch farmers tending to their paddy fields, I relaxed on my balcony and ordered room service. I was worn out.

Exhausted and off to Saigon. 

Saigon or Ho Chi Minh city is not the place to be exhausted. Even if you are you will quickly rid yourself of any feelings of relaxation. This is a Go-Go city in more ways than one.

Just crossing the street takes all your skills to stay alive. The enthusiasm of the drivers is only matched by the trepidation of the pedestrians.

I only had 2 days in Saigon before I had to return back to Australia. But the bug had bitten. I returned to Australia and got my Tesol diploma along with an English teaching certificate and all my paperwork notarized, and back I went.

What now?  

I have been living in Vietnam for 15 years and while it has its up and downs I have thoroughly enjoyed it. If you want to see my house and school ( Yes, I teach English ) click on the YouTube link below to first see my house and crazy family life.

My name is Stephen and if you want to find work as a teacher in Vietnam, I can help. That’s what I do. Bringing the world together one step at a time.

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English writing skills.

The English writing skill is the most difficult skill to master as a learner of a foreign language, ( EFL ). The basic skills of learning any new language start with the listening skill. It is the same as a baby learning their first language.

So let us look quickly at the 4 skills in learning a language.

The skills in order.

People generally learn these four skills in the following order.

• Listening: When people are learning a new language they will first hear it spoken.
• Speaking: Then they try to repeat what they hear.
• Reading: Later they will learn the reading skill.
• Writing: And the last and the hardest skill is the writing skill.
• 

The first skill | Listening.

When a baby is learning their first language or mother tongue, the first thing they do is listen. It can take 12 makes for the first “Mamma” or Dada” to come out of their mouths.

Babies can understand a few basic words after 9 months, such as “no” and “bye-bye.” They may also start to use a broader range of consonant sounds and voice tones.

At the age of 12-18 months, babies begin to talk. By the end of a year, most babies can pronounce a few simple words like “Mamma” and “Dada” and understand what they’re saying.

The second skill | Speaking.

Once the learner of any language has absorbed or been taught to pronounce a word or phrase, the next step is to repeat.

This is arguably one of the hardest skills to master as it may be the first time another language is spoken.

THE FOUR SPEAKING SKILLS

FLUENCY. Fluency is not just about how comfortable and confident you are in speaking English. It is also about how well it flows off your tongue.

VOCABULARY. Understanding the meaning of a word is critical in being able to use it correctly in speech. Also, the breadth of your vocabulary will set you apart from the mediocre English speaker.

GRAMMAR. Knowing how to use the tenses and the word order correctly means the difference between being understood or not. And the nuances of the English language demand a well-developed understanding of grammar.

PRONUNCIATION. All the above means little if you can not pronounce the words properly. To be understood correctly or at all, you need to be able to say the word in a way that others understand.

The third skill | Reading.

Reading skills should be taught alongside the listening and speaking skill. Just because it is listed as the third skill does not mean it should be taught after the other two skills are learned. And the same applies to the writing skill.

Reading skills for learning a new language can be broken down into 5 groups that will start at the beginner level and progress to the advanced level. While I am only showing 5 levels here, each level has its own sub-levels.

And these sub-levels are broken down into the age and performance of the student.

But as an overview, this is what looks like from a teachers perspective.

Beginner A1

Reading practice to help understand simple information, words, and sentences about known topics. Texts include basic readers and textbooks, posters, messages, forms, and timetables.

Pre-intermediate A2

Reading practice to help understand simple texts and find specific information in everyday material. Texts include emails, invitations, personal messages, tips, notices, and signs. And also class books and texts.

Intermediate B1

Reading practice to help understand texts with everyday or job-related language. Texts include articles, travel guides, emails, adverts, and reviews, textbooks, and more.

Upper-intermediate B2

Reading practice to help understand texts with a wide vocabulary where you may need to consider the writer’s opinion. Texts include articles, reports, messages, short stories, and reviews.

Advanced C1

Reading practice to help understand long, complex texts about a wide variety of topics, some of which may be unfamiliar. Texts include specialized articles, biographies, and summaries. from here the student can move into more advanced material for preparation for TOEIC tests.

The fourth skill | Writing, and how to improve it.

The fourth and final skill is the writing skill. And how well it has been taught in conjunction with the other skills will define how easy or difficult it is for the student to learn advanced writing skills.

Why is it important?

Because of the increasing importance of communication, strong writing abilities are required in practically every industry and for almost every employment.

Reports, sales proposals, marketing copy, user manuals, and presentations that you must produce on a regular basis as part of your job duties necessitate a strong writing ability.

A resume or CV, which is also the first step in applying for a job, necessitates a superior writing technique.

Every day at work begins with writing once you start working because we are required to send emails to peers, bosses, and clients. This is when your writing abilities come in help. So, let’s start with the fundamentals of writing skills.

Tips to improve your writing skills.

• Set daily writing exercises. They need not be long-winded and time-consuming, even just committing to writing a paragraph a lesson is enough.
• Set a time limit for writing and stick to it.
• When we read, we learn how other people write so incorporate reading into your learning.
• Don’t use any complicated or big words in your writing. Sentences should be short and shouldn’t overuse words like “very”, “really”, “just”.
• Use one word instead of using 2 or three. Keep it simple until the writing skill level is higher.

Just do it.

Conclusion.

The act of actually sitting down and writing is sometimes the most challenging stage in the writing process. You should have a clear notion of what you want to say at this stage, as well as a rough sense of how you want to convey it.

It may appear intimidating, but keep in mind that the hard work is almost complete! Simply convince yourself that you are capable (which you are), sit down in front of your notebook or computer, and write.

Author

Stephen.

I am an EFL ( English as a Foreign Language ) teacher who owns a school in Vietnam. I have been here for 15 years and experienced most teaching situations.

From teaching in state schools with 50 plus students to a class to one on one private lessons. I have taught in English centers both good and bad, and the bad decided me to open my own school.

You can check out my school in Vietnam below by hitting on the YouTube button.

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Vietnamese street food.

Living in Vietnam for 15 years has opened my eyes to the vast array of delectable street foods available.

Street food is one of the staples of Vietnam. And you can eat it at any time of the day or night.

Eating in your local market or balancing on small plastic stools with a steamy bowl of pho is an experience in and of itself.

This simple unpretentious food is the heart and soul of Vietnam, and the aromas will awaken a desire to eat this hearty and healthy food. The recipes for each dish will change depending on which part of Vietnam you are in.

Regional differences.

Vietnam is divided into three regions: north, center, and south. Geographical variances are reflected in the various culinary varieties, which are all slightly different from one another.

Each geographical region has its own distinct differences, Which are shown through different names, ingredients, cooking techniques, color, and presentation, and eating methods.

Bean sprouts are typically found in pho bowls in the south, but not in the north. Regardless of the variations, the key characteristics remain light, sweet broth, tender meat, and seductive aromas.

And so it is with most recipes, you have regional changes, much like the dialects of Vietnam, but the underlying basics are the same.

One thing does remain the same. Vietnamese love their food and love to make it a part of family life.

Eating Vietnamese style.

Vietnamese prefer to eat together as a family, sharing food. Each person receives a plate or bowl of rice. The bowls of food are placed in the center of the table and people help themselves.

In most households, noodle and vegetable dishes are the ‘norm”. Rice, meat or seafood dish, a vegetable dish, soup, and dipping sauce make up a traditional Vietnamese meal.

A family affair.

Instead of dividing the food into separate servings as in western countries, the Vietnamese share everything from the same plate.

As a result of their unique eating habits, Vietnamese people tend to socialize more during meals. During dinner, Vietnamese people enjoy chatting and small talk.

Parents inquire about their children’s school days, partners discuss their jobs, grandparents tell their grandchildren stories, and so on, creating a wonderfully pleasant atmosphere.

Eating street style.

Street food is sometimes shared accordingly, yet most street food dishes are served individually. Depending on the time of the day, expect to see workers going to or from work stopping and slurping down a hot broth of Pho or whatever they desire.

It was 10 o’clock one night and I was heading back home after a night out when the smells overcame me. I had to sit down on those little plastic stools and stuff my face with Bún bò huế. A spicy relative of Pho.

The friendliness of the locals, and perhaps the several drinks I had, led me to buy a round of beer for all the homeward-bound workers then pay for their meals. All for less than $15.00 for 7 people.

Drinking Vietnamese style.

I was born in New Zealand and grew up in Australia and thought I knew a bit about the drinking culture. however the Vietnamese take it to a different level. Food and alcohol, mainly beer, go hand in hand.

You will often see groups of males sitting in a restaurant or around a food stall quaffing down a case of beer while enjoying their meals. Where are their wives?. At home waiting for them to return from their meetings.

Vietnam also produces several varieties of rice wine, known as Ruou, and quite often you will find a pickled snake in the bottle. Said by many to provide health benefits to the drinker.

Yes, there are nonalcoholic drinks available and you can get the most amazing juices and fruit smoothies imaginable. Green tea is a staple that will be handed out free of charge when in a coffee shop or restaurant. However, don’t expect it at a street stall.

Coffee.

If you believe huge chain coffee shops make good coffee, you’re in for a treat. The coffee in Vietnam is strong.

Robusta and occasionally Arabica beans are used to make it. It contains a lot of caffeine, with 200-300 grams per serve being typical.

This coffee has the strength of Superman and can be bitter to people who aren’t used to it. The majority of Vietnamese people add sugar to their coffee. It’s a no-no to add drink milk.

If you want white sweet coffee, condensed milk is the way to go.

In cafes, there are three primary types of coffee to choose from. Caf’e Den (Black Coffee), Caf’e Sua Da (Coffee with condensed milk and ice), and Caf’e Da (Coffee with condensed milk and ice) ( Black coffee with ice).

You can fly home if you try them all in one sitting.

Dipping sauces and spices.

I can’t talk about my favorite street foods until I explain the importance of dipping sauces and the flavors they instill into whatever dish you are eating. from basic soy sauce to the evil-smelling yet tasty fish sauce, there is a lot to enjoy.

Because of the varied use of numerous sauces and spices, each meal has its own depth of taste.

Despite the fact that the cooking method is quite simple, Vietnamese cooks make extensive use of spices such as salt, pepper, fish sauce, and… Perilla, Thai basil, and other herbs are added to make dishes with amazing and well-balanced flavors.

Chilli powder, pepper, sugar, and so on are only a few of the spices available. They are used with care and creativity to blend rich flavors that are at the heart of Vietnamese cuisine. And they are then served up in a stunning presentation that will have you eager to eat.

What are my favorite street food meals? Here are some of them.

My favorite street foods.

Phở

Phở

When it comes to Vietnamese street cuisine, the most natural choice is pho or Vietnamese noodle soup. This local favorite consists of chewy rice noodles in a scorching hot savory broth topped with crunchy, peppery, herb garnishes and tender chunks of meat or chicken.

My preference Is beef. And I go with the uncooked strips which are then added to the broth and will be tender and ready to eat as it lands on your table.

When you’re in Vietnam, nothing beats a big cup of hearty rice noodle soup to get your day started. You can explore obscure backstreets to find the ideal spot to enjoy your meal.

And like Americans with pizza or the British with Fish and chips, the Vietnamese have their favorite Pho stalls or shops.

Bánh mì

The Vietnamese sandwich is a popular choice with both locals and ex-pats alike. Normally considered a quick and easy meal to take away, it is worth the effort to try at least several.

Pickled veggies, coriander, fresh chilies, and pork slices will be loaded into your crusty French-style baguette. Usually made with pork and coated with pâté, it is a must for any foodie to try.

Eggs, chicken, meatballs, and a variety of other toppings are available. But my favorite is pork, arguably the most popular meat in Vietnam.

Bún bò huế

If phở had a bolder and hotter brother, it would have to be bún bò huế. The main ingredients of this noodle dish are beef broth, thick rice noodles, beef shank, pig’s feet, liver, and lemongrass.

It’s served with bean sprouts, fresh herbs, lime, and various other toppings and spices. Savory, tasty, and addictive, this dish originally from Hue is one you’ll want to keep coming back for.

It is commonly available in most cities around Vietnam because of its popularity.

When you are phở’d out, try slurping down a bowl of bún bò huế. You won’t regret it.

Com Tam

The word ‘Cơm tấm means ‘broken rice.’ Rice that has traditionally been unsellable and fed to animals because of its reputation as inferior rice.

It has, nevertheless, won a place in the hearts of both Vietnamese and foreigners alike.

The soft and fluffy broken rice with grilled pork chops and exquisite fish sauce is flavorful and will delight your taste buds.

Broken rice has a softer texture than “unbroken” rice because of the diverse shapes and sizes of the grains. It also absorbs flavors more readily. It also cooks quickly, making it a popular choice for rice meals that require quick preparation.

Fresh tomato, cucumber, and radish slices are usually served alongside the rice and pork.

This is a popular lunchtime dish and one that I keep returning to again and again. Eating this accompanied with an ice-cold beer is one of the joys of life.

Bánh Xèo

Or Vietnamese pancake. At first glance, you would think they are made with eggs. However, they aren’t, the yellow coloring comes from the turmeric powder in the recipe.

Bánh xèo is a Vietnamese pancake that is filled with filling ingredients and fried till one side is crispy.

You’ll end up with a crepe-like pancake with a crispy side and fillings like shrimp, pork, and bean sprouts.

This is more of a restaurant or cook-at-home food. But I couldn’t leave it off my list as it is one of my all-time favorite dishes.

There is a street version available ( Bánh tráng nướng) as well. But in my opinion, it doesn’t come close to the complex blend of flavors you will find in the upmarket version.

And so much more

The Vietnam food experience has entertained the palates of some of the top chefs around the world along with presidents and food critics. From Obama dining with Bourdain to Gordon Ramsay attempting to replicate meals, it is foodie heaven.

There is so much more I haven’t covered from Bo Kho ( beef and vegetable stew ) to Gỏi cuốn and Chả giò, which are spring rolls to Chè, which is a sweet dessert. And yes, it is street food. You can buy it in plastic cups and is a cool refreshing snack on a hot Saigon day.

So, if you like traveling and love your food this country is a place you can live or visit and happily mingle with the locals.

My name is Stephen and I have lived in Vietnam for over 15 years. It can be frustrating and challenging but never dull. If you are up for an adventure you should consider Vietnam as a place to visit. Your taste buds will thank you.

Stephen

You can check out my house in Vietnam below by clicking the YouTube button.

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