What do the foreigners do for living in Vietnam?

Some foreigners go to VN because they are sent there. The people that I knew when I was there (4 years) were pretty much there because they wanted to be there! It is an interesting country, it is one of the most pleasant places I have lived, and I have spent a lot of time living in foreign countries.

I did NOT go to VN because of a luxury lifestyle. I went there because I wanted to be there. And I want to return - because I really like the people and the country!

Making Money In Vietnam

I think Traveler gave you a very detailed answer. Combination of 2 answers above me (Traveller and Tuấn) is perhaps a correct answer. However, let me try to give some more info even though I'm not a foreigner (I'm Vietnamese). Correct me if I'm wrong ^_^

- If you watch soccer in Vietnam, you can see that 1/3->1/2 players of the teams are foreigners. That is also a good career to earn money in Vietnam ^_^

- How much they earn every month? Various, depends on the career. For example, working in Embassy of the United States of America in Hanoi can give you a salary of about $35,000/month (USD) (Vietnamese person who works here only get $10,000/month ^_^). Generally, NGO/Non-profit organizations offer very high salary. An English teacher can earn about $50/hour. Normally, I think a foreigner can earn around $10,000/month. You can have more information about career opportunities for foreigners here:

http://www.vietnamworks.com/jobseekers/searchresul...

- However, language is still one of the biggest barriers for the foreigners who want to live in Vietnam, because people speak Vietnamese in Vietnam, not English. Nevertheless, young people (especially in the cities) can speak English and many of them are working in foreign-invested companies. Besides, we can't compare Vietnam as a developing country with developed countries in the world. In the US, London, Australia ... there are many people from different nationalities; not only because of higher living standard but also because they all speak the same language: English.

- The reason why they chose Vietnam to live: I personally think that with great incomes in Vietnam, they can live a "luxury" life, because everything in Vietnam is cheap and basically everything can be found here. Living a life in Vietnam is great with incredible people who take care of each other. You can also have time to have a cup of coffee which you usually not in the western countries (they are keeping busy in the western countries and fast-foods are perhaps most suitable choices ^_^). Communism is not a problem anyway.

I bet Peter O has NEVER been to Vietnam, so he has no experience as a foreign worker in here.

Many foreigners work in Vietnam as specialists, who contribute to the booming economy. Many work as representatives of foreign companies and corporations, or just simply teachers in English language center or international schools.

Foreign workers in Vietnam are usually paid higher than Vietnamese colleagues. Their income may be very low in their homelands, but in Vietnam, it could be an ideal income for a comfortable life here.

I live in Hochiminh and i know some of street have a lot of foreigners 1.Pham ngu lao. It's a famous street for Western backpacker 2.Nguyễn Huệ 3.Lê Lợi 4.Hai bà trưng 5.Phạm bành and hàm Ngi

Nguyen's salary examples aren't even close!

A U.S. employee working in the U.S. embassy makes around $45k U.S. per year, and those positions are impossible to obtain. The only people (employees) making $10k U.S. a month are people who were making that before they came here. Unless a company sends you here or you have a specialized degree, you'lll most likely only find a job teaching English (if you'ree a native English speaker).

The most I'vee ever seen an English teacher make was $25 per hour. This is someone with a masters in education and over 10 years experience. The average English teacher makes $15 to $20 dollars an hour and works 20 hours per week (realistically for every hour you get paid you work 1.5).

Nguyen, don't believe everything you hear form the expats community.

Vietnam is a beautiful country.

Very few foreigners live and work in Vietnam. Remember Vietnam is still a communist socialist country and the currency is almost worthless outside the country. There has been some benefits from ownership of houses that has been allowed but the country is still a socialist government where the people are still very poor in some areas.

No offense Melanie but do you know ANYTHING about Vietnam besides that it is a beautiful country? I am half Vietnamese. Usually, they would teach English but sometimes they would go out on the streets and sell foods or tobacco. Of course, those were the old days.

Number 1 answer is teach english.

but I know people that...

Run diving company's.

run hotels

own restaurants

are Engineer's

own book stores

own bars

work in the charity field with orphanages etc

work in the Medical field.

Own manufacturing plants

Own export company's

Own jet ski companys

etc etc etc

Its like most places with lots of different professions.

Work permits are easy here and 1 year work visas are a snap.

good luck.