Hostel manager - how much pay should I ask for?

Ask your friend what they are offering, also get it in writing.

A close friend who manages one of the better hostels in Ha Noi
said your price is 'reasonable', i.e. neither too high or low.

Good language skills are always preferred: Viet, China, French,
Spanish, German and Russian (in that order)   (She has a good
command of all)  ..but don't be daunted...

People skills are the prime requisite.

You (should be) a good communicator anyway as a teacher,
anything else is how you present yourself.  Your marketing.

A good opportunity.   Doors will open, and make a better CV.

Best Wishes                 

I'm really surprised a hostel manager would make as much as USD$2000 a month, it doesn't fit what I know about salaries in Vietnam, but then I'm no expert.

Thanks Bazza. Im already on forty mill just teaching now and thats no more than 5 hours a day, 7 days a week.  so it would actually be  more work for samish money, alot more work.

Crucial from my experience is the owner is my friend and I am entirely trustworthy- I would never steal. Not sure if Ive ever known an Asian employee I could say that about.....

As i Said, I think its better my gf is in it with me somehow as I just cant physically be there 2-7-365..... also visa, res cert issues etc....my experience is sadly only as someone who has spent alot of years in hostels and friends that have run them - like most bar/rest/ hostel biz. - nearly all a disaster.

I can speak good chinese and passable french/spanish though i doubt i will need it. I think even my Viet is beginning to get traction - so much vocab is almost identical to Chinese and , as ill be sat there bored out of my mind for extensive periods of time - i shud pick it up quick, no matter how ewok-like it sounds.

"Thanks Bazza. Im already on forty mill just teaching now and thats no more than 5 hours a day, 7 days a week.  so it would actually be  more work for samish money, alot more work."

Thank yourself, Tiger.    You know how wood works, while (too) many
cannot see it for the trees.   But I teach too.

We both know there is much more (mental?) work than the classwork
in prep, research, curriculum cringe and creative invention to keep the
little horrors involved if not interested.    But we all have our ways...

I put myself thru Uni by driving a night taxi.  Practical psychology!!!
..and I imagine Hospitality to be much the same; hours of boredom
interspersed with moments of stark terror!   Ok, not THAT bad, but a
good analogy.   More to your point: you gotta be there!  Available
even while sleeping, so it's more like a 30 hrs, 8 days, 370!!
(possibly?) - probably more!     Been there, done that...

Yet again, like teaching, it is addictive too...   So monitor yourself.

Base words are all you (really) need.  People skills are far more
important, as you already know.   But bored..?   I doubt!!
Effective efficiency applies in costing, advertising (word of mouth)
and even (especially?) the devils in the details like quiet, comfort,
clean, ..and a good breakfast..?    Backpackers talk.  People listen.

So it will be far more than money (now)   Look to the future.
  Experience like this doesn't grow on those trees either.
  Then there is the networking, headhunters, & opportunity.

Go for it

ps.   Asian employees..?   My experience shows more integrity in
Asia than the West.   ..but I am biased...   Besides, it is the base
virtue all others arise from.   Trust tells the truth.

Bazza139 wrote:

"Thanks Bazza. Im already on forty mill just teaching now and thats no more than 5 hours a day, 7 days a week.  so it would actually be  more work for samish money, alot more work."

Thank yourself, Tiger.    You know how wood works, while (too) many
cannot see it for the trees.   But I teach too.

We both know there is much more (mental?) work than the classwork
in prep, research, curriculum cringe and creative invention to keep the
little horrors involved if not interested.    But we all have our ways...

I put myself thru Uni by driving a night taxi.  Practical psychology!!!
..and I imagine Hospitality to be much the same; hours of boredom
interspersed with moments of stark terror!   Ok, not THAT bad, but a
good analogy.   More to your point: you gotta be there!  Available
even while sleeping, so it's more like a 30 hrs, 8 days, 370!!
(possibly?) - probably more!     Been there, done that...

Yet again, like teaching, it is addictive too...   So monitor yourself.

Base words are all you (really) need.  People skills are far more
important, as you already know.   But bored..?   I doubt!!
Effective efficiency applies in costing, advertising (word of mouth)
and even (especially?) the devils in the details like quiet, comfort,
clean, ..and a good breakfast..?    Backpackers talk.  People listen.

So it will be far more than money (now)   Look to the future.
  Experience like this doesn't grow on those trees either.
  Then there is the networking, headhunters, & opportunity.

Go for it

ps.   Asian employees..?   My experience shows more integrity in
Asia than the West.   ..but I am biased...   Besides, it is the base
virtue all others arise from.   Trust tells the truth.

Can't agree with you Bazz on the Asians are more trustworthy side. I owned and operated a business in Saigon for two years,I had so much theft of equipment and back door deals by staff it was mind boggling. When I went to sell the business my accountant was giving the purchaser updates each day, no loyalty at all from staff.

"My experience shows..."

I ran a manufacturing business in Brisbane for 12 years.
Everything from oxy cylinders to detergent & toilet rolls,
former workers starting their own business (openly)
using stolen equipment.   Mind boggling too.

Out of the fifteen staff, only the apprentice I taught steel
fabrication, sheet metal & welding had 'integrity'.

I see a (far) different picture here.  It seems the norm,
but maybe I am much wiser at picking better people..?   

Might be the mindset too.  People here seem much more
co-operative than competitive.     My view.

I owned a construction business for 15 years and had nothing stolen by my staff. Maybe I was better at selecting staff in Australia.

colinoscapee wrote:

I owned a construction business for 15 years and had nothing stolen by my staff. Maybe I was better at selecting staff in Australia.

We all live and learn.   I had good teachers...